Albertsons on Tuesday announced the appointment of Andrew Murray as its new chief financial officer as the supermarket operator conducts a business review intended to revive weak sales through cost reductions and lower pricing. Murray is due to join the company on January 17.
Murray comes to Albertsons from Fonterra Co-operative Group, where he serves as group chief financial officer. His background also includes senior consumer-sector roles at Simplot Australia and Mondelez International, bringing experience the grocery chain says is relevant to reshaping its financial strategy.
Leadership transition
Murray will replace Cody Perdue, who stepped in as interim finance chief on September 30 after the retirement of Sharon McCollam. The company said Murray's track record in steering large-scale business transformations was a key element in the selection.
Context of the appointment
Albertsons has been conducting a review of its business with an emphasis on trimming costs and reducing prices to try to arrest sluggish sales. In October, the company withdrew its fiscal 2026 forecasts even as it reported second-quarter profit results that beat estimates.
CEO Susan Morris characterized the company as being at a "critical turnaround time," and noted that Murray's experience leading substantial business changes will be useful as Albertsons looks to implement its review recommendations.
What the announcement says
- Andrew Murray will join Albertsons on January 17.
- He is currently group CFO at Fonterra Co-operative Group.
- Murray has held executive finance roles at Simplot Australia and Mondelez International.
- Cody Perdue served as interim CFO beginning September 30, after Sharon McCollam retired.
- Albertsons pulled its fiscal 2026 guidance in October, despite beating second-quarter profit estimates.
The appointment is presented as part of Albertsons' broader effort to recalibrate operations and pricing to improve sales momentum. Management has emphasized both cost discipline and price adjustments as central levers in the ongoing review. The company did not provide further details on specific measures or timelines in the announcement.