Grant Burke Email & Phone Number

Oakville, Ontario, Canada

As a former Senior Executive with over 40 years experience in the Canadian foodindustry, I have deep expertise in the areas of Merchandising,Category Management, Retail Operations, Procurement and Global Sourcing, inboth fresh commodity and consumer packaged goods.At PROjex, I bring my expertise and extensive network to organizations, providing customized solutions and innovation in key areas of retail, manufacturing, wholesale andproduct development. My years of team… Show more As a former Senior Executive with over 40 years experience in the Canadian foodindustry, I have deep expertise in the areas of Merchandising,Category Management, Retail Operations, Procurement and Global Sourcing, inboth fresh commodity and consumer packaged goods.At PROjex, I bring my expertise and extensive network to organizations, providing customized solutions and innovation in key areas of retail, manufacturing, wholesale andproduct development. My years of team leadership and key skills as a problem solver, collaborator, coach and mentor, has delivered business growth and profitability. Show less

4980 Tahoe Blvd, Mississauga,Ontario

Developed a new fresh team to manage and develop positive, collaborative working relationships with major National fresh food/protein (Meat, Seafood, Produce, Floral, Deli, Bakery, Kitchen/HMR) vendor partners. The role was also to harmonize regional products/programs to reduce product costs by leveraging the company’s total volume.• Led national fresh departments (annual gross purchases of $6 billion) team; managed 35 major national fresh vendor relationships and volume contracts… Show more Developed a new fresh team to manage and develop positive, collaborative working relationships with major National fresh food/protein (Meat, Seafood, Produce, Floral, Deli, Bakery, Kitchen/HMR) vendor partners. The role was also to harmonize regional products/programs to reduce product costs by leveraging the company’s total volume.• Led national fresh departments (annual gross purchases of $6 billion) team; managed 35 major national fresh vendor relationships and volume contracts, achieving $53.9M on budget of $38.9M (139% of budget).• Developed the vision, strategy and led a team to integrate Sobeys Produce procurement network of 8 buying units across Canada; improved product quality and achieved initial annualized cost savings of over $25 million.• Leveraged national volume by assessing regional fresh programs to harmonize to common specifications, optimizing banner consistency and reducing product costs; savings in excess of $3M last fiscal year. Show less

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Appointed by the executive team, upon completion of a major reorganization to centralize functions, to manage a team of 35 national fresh department directors and category managers in Atlantic, Ontario and Western Canada. Accountable for all national fresh departments’ sales and profitability - Meat, Seafood, Produce, Floral, Deli, Bakery, Kitchen/HMR. • Managed annual department sales of $2.5 billion through category plans for full serve and community format stores, generating $900… Show more Appointed by the executive team, upon completion of a major reorganization to centralize functions, to manage a team of 35 national fresh department directors and category managers in Atlantic, Ontario and Western Canada. Accountable for all national fresh departments’ sales and profitability - Meat, Seafood, Produce, Floral, Deli, Bakery, Kitchen/HMR. • Managed annual department sales of $2.5 billion through category plans for full serve and community format stores, generating $900 million profit. Show less

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Initially slated to succeed the CEO of Thrifty Foods; appointed by Sobeys CEO to increase scope and lead the National procurement function for Sobeys network of over 1300 stores. • Led the national grocery/center store (annual gross purchases of $10 billion) team of eight in managing the top 60+ national vendor relations and negotiating over $250M of vendor program volume contracts.• Developed and executed a strategy to support Sobeys vendor cost reduction initiative, resulting in… Show more Initially slated to succeed the CEO of Thrifty Foods; appointed by Sobeys CEO to increase scope and lead the National procurement function for Sobeys network of over 1300 stores. • Led the national grocery/center store (annual gross purchases of $10 billion) team of eight in managing the top 60+ national vendor relations and negotiating over $250M of vendor program volume contracts.• Developed and executed a strategy to support Sobeys vendor cost reduction initiative, resulting in $20M+ annual savings. Show less

Victoria, Bc, Canada

Appointed by Thrifty Foods new CEO to deliver total company sales and profit. Led Merchandising, Procurement, Store Planning, Private Label brand development, the central Kitchen Commissary business unit and external independent customer Wholesale Division. Managed 12 direct reports and a team of 200+.• Grew revenue from $500M to $700M and EBITDA from $22M to $35M.• Managed special projects, new fresh product / protein programs and product development in the kitchen… Show more Appointed by Thrifty Foods new CEO to deliver total company sales and profit. Led Merchandising, Procurement, Store Planning, Private Label brand development, the central Kitchen Commissary business unit and external independent customer Wholesale Division. Managed 12 direct reports and a team of 200+.• Grew revenue from $500M to $700M and EBITDA from $22M to $35M.• Managed special projects, new fresh product / protein programs and product development in the kitchen commissary(value added Meat proteins, Bakery, Deli/HMR meals etc) optimizing quality, consistency, food safety and store operations work flow.• Key executive member during the successful sale of the business, providing guidance and advice to the owner on the best cultural fit of prospective companies and private equity groups. Show less

Victoria, Bc, Canada

Recruited by Alex A. Campbell, the owner/founder of Thrifty Foods, to manage the store retail operations group consisting of high equity franchisees, owner operators and corporate locations; to join the company Executive Committee and lead the harmonization and optimization of retail store programs, sales, profitability, cost control and employee relations for 3000+ store team members.• Expanded store base from 17 to 26 stores - 1 to 6 locations on the Lower Mainland/Greater Vancouver… Show more Recruited by Alex A. Campbell, the owner/founder of Thrifty Foods, to manage the store retail operations group consisting of high equity franchisees, owner operators and corporate locations; to join the company Executive Committee and lead the harmonization and optimization of retail store programs, sales, profitability, cost control and employee relations for 3000+ store team members.• Expanded store base from 17 to 26 stores - 1 to 6 locations on the Lower Mainland/Greater Vancouver area. Developed and instituted a Store Manager training program to support expansion.• Developed a new store management scheduling system, improving store conditions, in stock position and customer satisfaction. Show less

Stellarton, Ns, Canada

Newfoundland And Nova Scotia, Canada

Newfoundland And Labrador, Canada

Stellarton ,Ns, Canada

Newfoundland And Labrador, Canada