Kroger appears poised to take an unprecedented step in its 143-year history, selecting its next chief executive from outside the company.
According to a report from the Cincinnati Business Courier, Tim Massa, Kroger’s chief people officer, revealed the plan in a questionnaire for the publication’s C-Suite Awards, where he is an honoree in the chief human resources officer category.
“Selecting our first-ever external hire Chief Executive Officer in our company’s 143-year history,” Massa wrote when asked about his biggest goal for next year.
The revelation comes as Kroger continues its search for a permanent CEO following the resignation of Rodney McMullen in March.
McMullen stepped down after a board investigation into personal conduct described as “inconsistent” with Kroger’s business ethics policy but unrelated to company operations.
Since then, Ronald “Ron” Sargent, former chairman and CEO of Staples and Kroger’s lead director, has served as interim CEO. The board has been working with an external search firm to identify McMullen’s successor.
Kroger officials have not commented publicly on Massa’s statement. However, several industry analysts also believe the retailer is likely to appoint an external candidate.
“A new CEO is likely within three to six months with a handful of leading external candidates in focus, in our view,” wrote Michael Montani, analyst at Evercore ISI, in a recent research note.
If confirmed, the appointment would mark the first time Kroger — the largest traditional supermarket chain in the US — has turned to outside leadership since its founding in 1883.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
