Advantage Solutions said today it has hired George Johnson as chief workforce operations officer to oversee all aspects of the company’s labor strategy for frontline workers, including talent acquisition, workforce enablement and safety.
Johnson begins Dec. 31 and will join Advantage’s executive leadership team, reporting to CEO Dave Peacock.
In the newly created role, he will lead Advantage’s efforts to enhance how the company assigns and deploys talent in the 100,000-plus retail stores it serves each year. Johnson will function as a strategic leader and advocate for the company’s frontline workers as he helps Advantage improve processes, find efficiencies, and attract and retain talent.
“We are excited to welcome George to our team,” Peacock said. “George’s expertise will be instrumental in driving strong field execution and efficiency as Advantage continues our ongoing journey to accelerate future growth.”
Prior to joining Advantage, Johnson most recently served as president of the Carolinas region for the food service company Sysco. Johnson also served in leadership roles at Aramark and Aramark Healthcare, where as vice president of operations he led several successful initiatives that significantly improved operational performance and teammate satisfaction.
The Lamar University graduate “brings decades of experience working with frontline leaders to drive effectiveness, and he will be invaluable in our efforts to enhance our teammate experience and improve retention,” Peacock said.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Johnson’s life and career have informed and strengthened his perspective as a leader.
Growing up, Johnson was raised by his mother who worked in the service industry all of her adult life, he said. She instilled in him “an appreciation and understanding for the hard work of all frontline teammates that serve as the heartbeat for each organization.”
“Helping enhance the experience of our frontline teammates is the ultimate honor and responsibility for me,” Johnson said. “When teammates feel respected and connected, there are no limits on what we can accomplish together.”
Johnson also knows a thing or two about teamwork and the power of coaching winning teams. Before venturing into a career in the managed services hospitality sector, he played collegiate baseball and was drafted by the Houston Astros.
Johnson’s work will create more capacity for new growth opportunities for the business. He’ll also collaborate with human resources and the operations side of the business to enhance the experience of Advantage’s hourly teammates.
“I look forward to joining a company on an upward trajectory that stands behind a meaningful mission and purpose,” Johnson said. “Most of all, I am energized to join 70,000 amazing teammates who play such an essential role getting food, household and personal care products into the hands and homes of shoppers everywhere.”
After simplifying and transforming its operating model, Advantage continues to streamline and refine its business.
The company’s evolved approach to workforce operations, which will be led by Johnson, is designed to improve how Advantage maximizes its network effect across CPG companies and retailers. That includes equipping its sales and frontline workforce with more modern technology tools and real-time insights to seamlessly mobilize teams across its Branded, Retailer and Experiential Services business segments.
“We’re creating more stability, reliability and efficiency to brands and retailers as they navigate meaningful changes in the industry and seek new ways to unlock value,” Peacock said. “Our industry-leading scale, reach and high-tech solutions give our clients a distinct advantage to fuel growth, regardless of market conditions.”
