ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Topco Associates LLC announced today that Christopher (Chris) Hooks has joined the company as Vice President, Center Store Program Management. Hooks, who reports directly to Paul Matthews, Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, will be responsible for the Program Management groups in Center Store Grocery, Frozen, Health and Beauty Care (HBC) and General Merchandise.
“Chris is a great addition to our talented Center Store team,” Matthews said. “Chris has an impressive grocery and retail background, with expertise in product development, category management and replenishment, and analytics. We are confident that with Chris leading our Program Management team, we will deliver even greater value to our members.”
Hooks brings more than 20 years of food industry experience to Topco, including his most recent leadership role as Vice President, Food Division at Blue Ocean Innovative Solutions. In that position, he provided retail expertise to some of the country’s largest retailers. Specifically, he advised retailers and suppliers on product development, category management and replenishment, and analytics. In addition, he was involved in a number of private label grocery, frozen and dairy projects.
Hooks’ professional experience includes management roles with increasing responsibility at SuperValu, Inc., Busch’s Inc., Premium Gold Angus Beef and more than 10 years at H.E. Butt Grocery Company. Hooks holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting and finance from Oklahoma State University.
About Topco Associates LLC
Topco Associates LLC is a $12.3 billion, privately held company that provides aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions for leading food industry member-owners and customers. Topco leverages the collective volume, knowledge and commitment of these companies to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace by reducing costs and offering winning business-building capabilities.
