SpartanNash, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, has announced that Victor Savanello has accepted the position of regional vice president, produce and floral merchandising, effective Sept. 9, 2019.

He will be responsible for supporting SpartanNash's corporate retail stores as part of the marketing and merchandising center of excellence, establishing and maintaining customer and vendor relationships and satisfaction levels, negotiating national vendor contracts and leading the fresh distribution procurement team and their processes.

Savanello has more than 30 years of experience in the food, supermarket and produce industries. Most recently he served as vice president of produce, floral and gift center for The Fresh Market, where he was responsible for produce operations for 161 stores in 25 states.

He also has leadership and category management experience with Allegiance Retail Services/Foodtown Inc. and Wakefern Food Corp.

Savanello earned his bachelor's degree in political science from William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. He served as a two-term president of the board of directors of the Eastern Produce Council and chairman of the New York Produce Show.

Savanello will report directly to Jerry Goldsmith, vice president of fresh merchandising, with senior directors and produce merchandising reporting directly to Savanello.