Grocery retail
10 Albertsons operations leaders
These ten people hold or have held senior vice president, vice president and director roles in operations at Albertsons Companies, covering retail store operations, division operations and warehouse and distribution operations. A reader can learn how operations leaders build and run their teams in grocery retail companies.
Professionals to explore
01—10Adam Kowaleski
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Warehouse Operations · Albertsons Companies
Former Vice President of Warehouse Operations at Albertsons Companies (2023–2025), based in Boise, Idaho, and Vice President and General Manager, Shaw's Division there since February 2025. At Albertsons Companies Kowaleski was also Senior Director of Industrial Engineering (2022–2023), Distribution Center Acting General Manager (2022–2023) and Director of Industrial Engineering (2020–2022).
Javier Sanchez
LinkedInExperience: SoCal Director of Operations · Albertsons Companies
SoCal Director of Operations at Albertsons Companies since February 2023; the profile says the role serves 336 Albertsons/Vons Pavilions stores, is responsible for the Irvine and Brea distribution centers and oversees 5 warehouses. Sanchez was Warehouse Operations Manager (2009–2023) and Interim SoCal Operations Director (2020–2021) at ALBERTSONS LLC.
Jim Wallace
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President of Operations, Southern California Division · Albertsons Companies
Senior Vice President of Operations, Southern California Division at Albertsons Companies since January 2023, and former Senior Vice President of Operations, Southwest Division there (2021–2023). Wallace was Senior Vice President of Operations, West Division at Sprouts Farmers Market (2018–2021) and Vice President General Manager, Pavilions Banner at Albertsons Companies (2015–2018).
Johnathon Simmons
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Albertsons Companies
Vice President Operations at Albertsons Companies since June 2025, a role the profile lists at the President/Vice President level in Operations. At Albertsons Companies Simmons was also Vice President of Sales Support (2023–2025), Director of Retail Operations (2023) and District Manager (2020–2023).
Kelli M Elson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Albertsons Companies
Vice President Operations at Albertsons Companies since April 2021, a role the profile lists at the President/Vice President level in Operations, and its headline describes it as Vice President of Operations at Safeway. Elson was District Manager at Safeway from 1995 to 2021.
Kenny Smith
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Retail Operations · Albertsons Companies
Vice President of Retail Operations at Albertsons Companies since October 2016. At Safeway Smith was Strategic Project Manager (2014–2016), District Manager (2011–2014), Director Corporate Retail Operations (2008–2011) and Store Manager (2004–2008).
Mehria Saffi Folkner, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Retail Operations- Workforce Management & Labor Productivity · Albertsons Companies
Vice President Retail Operations- Workforce Management & Labor Productivity at Albertsons Companies since January 2026. At Albertsons Companies Folkner was also Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy & Transformation (2022–2026), Senior Director, Supply Chain Center of Excellence (COE) (2020–2022) and Director of Grocery Manufacturing Operations (2017–2020).
Patryce Hodges
LinkedInExperience: Director, Distribution Operations Continuous Improvement · Albertsons Companies
Director, Distribution Operations Continuous Improvement at Albertsons Companies since March 2013; the profile says Hodges works as the Director of Operations at the Irvine Distribution Center. Hodges was Director, Distribution Operations Continuous Improvement, Western Region at SUPERVALU (2008–2013) and Six Sigma Black Belt at Albertsons Companies (2005–2007).
Robert Backus
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President of Operations · Albertsons Companies
Former Senior Vice President of Operations at Albertsons Companies (2016–2020) and former Area Vice President of Operations there (2015–2016). Backus was President at Shaw’s and Star Market (2020–2024) and has been Executive Vice President at Albertsons Companies since April 2024.
Ryan Kidwell
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President of Operations · Albertsons Companies
Senior Vice President of Operations at Albertsons Companies since December 2023, a role the profile places in the Seattle Division, and former Vice President of Operations there (2021–2023). At Albertsons Companies Kidwell was also Director, Fresh (2020–2021) and District Manager (2016–2020).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to your question, since a division or retail operations vice president sees store-level trade-offs while a warehouse or distribution leader sees the supply side. Check each person's dates so you know whether their Albertsons experience is current or from an earlier period.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does a grocery division balance labor, service levels and shrink across its stores?
- 02What does a distribution center operations team track to keep stores stocked during peak periods?
- 03How do operations leaders at a large grocery chain roll out a new process across hundreds of stores?
Reaching Albertsons operations leaders
How can I contact one of these Albertsons operations leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: Albertsons Companies, based on profile data retrieved on October 7, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Albertsons operations leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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