Jun 4, 2014

ARLINGTON, VA — June 4, 2014 — The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard (Rick) Stein as vice president of fresh foods.

In this newly created position, Stein will be responsible for developing a portfolio of services and activities to assist members in developing and executing their fresh foods strategies.  These categories include everything from perishables – meat, poultry, seafood, and produce, to service departments – deli and bakery, and fresh-prepared meals and related solutions for takeout or in-store dining.  This role is an important addition for FMI to implement their retailer and supplier Total Store Collaboration strategic initiative.

"Rick’s breadth of experience will lend itself to addressing some of our members’ most critical and challenging issues, particularly in fresh foods categories – from marketing and merchandising, to supply chain and store operations, with a holistic, 360-degree perspective, that will help us – to help them, achieve their marketplace objectives,” said FMI Senior Vice President & Chief Collaboration Officer, Mark Baum.  “Rick will also help FMI to build out our Total Store Collaboration platform and capabilities.”

Prior to joining FMI, Stein was vice president of retail merchandising and marketing execution for Safeway, where he led marketing activities for the company’s eastern division that spanned 180 locations and 20,000 employees.  He began his career at the retail store level and, in his 30+ year tenure at Safeway, he rose through the ranks serving in both divisional and corporate roles spanning the gamut of retail/store operations, category management, sales, and marketing/merchandising. He has experience in virtually every facet of the retail food business and helped lead Safeway to achieve operational excellence and increased market share and revenues.

Stein has a bachelor of arts in criminal justice from the University of Maryland. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards such as the Children’s Cancer Foundation and Easter Seals and was the recipient of the Donald J Smith Award for Outstanding Performance, Safeway’s Highest Community Service award.