Big Y Foods made some key changes to its sales and marketing leadership team. Guy W. McFarlane, senior vice president of sales and marketing, will be retiring Sept. 1. Michael R. Cormier will succeed McFarlane, Steven M. Nordstrom will assume the role of senior director of center store, David M. Placzek will move to director of grocery and Scott P. Brackney has been named director of Big Y brands and retail pricing.

McFarlane has been in the supermarket industry for 46 years. He’s been with Big Y for 27 years and has made significant contributions to the company’s growth.

“We are thankful for Guy’s leadership over the past 27 years," said Michael P. D’Amour, chief operating officer. "His efforts have been a major force behind our evolution into our customer’s digital experience and enhanced loyalty programs as well as the development of a strong sales and marketing team that have helped us to grow as a company. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Cormier has worked in the supermarket industry for the past 25 years after serving in the military as well as working in his family’s restaurant and construction businesses. He has also worked for two New England grocery wholesalers as a grocery category sales manager and as a senior director of customer development until he joined Big Y in 2019.

Nordstrom has over 30 years of experience in the grocery industry. He started at an independent specialty market where he worked his way up to store manager. He joined Big Y in 1996 as an assistant grocery manager and held other positions within their operations division including store director, sales and merchandising mentor and district director.

As a newly appointed director of grocery, Placzek will be responsible for all grocery sales, marketing and merchandising, retail pricing, and space management initiatives within the grocery department and Table and Vine division. He began his career at Big Y over 25 years ago as a part time service clerk.

Brackney has 27 years of experience at Big Y where he started as a part time service clerk. While in store, he held several positions, including bakery, grocery and center store development manager along with various special assignments. 

“We are fortunate to have these dedicated leaders ready to move into their new roles while poised to execute innovative and creative solutions across all areas of the company that will meet the evolving needs our extraordinary consumers. Together, we stand ready to support Mike, Steve, Dave and Scott as they grow into their new positions,” said D’Amour.