Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, June 2025 – Duane Hatfield has taken on a new role as Vice President Human Resources, Supply Chain at Kroger, where he is responsible for working with the Supply Chain Associate Experience team to deliver a best-in-class experience to associates across the network and bring the company’s purpose to life. Based in Cincinnati, Duane will focus on supporting Kroger’s supply chain associates to ensure the organization’s ongoing commitment to excellence and employee engagement.
Duane’s career at Kroger spans nearly 24 years, with progressive leadership across multiple divisions and roles. Prior to his new appointment, he served as Division Human Resources Manager for six years in Cincinnati, where he led HR functions at the divisional level, supporting talent strategies and employee relations across the business.
Before that, Duane was District Manager in Nashville, Tennessee, for over two years, overseeing operations and workforce management at the district level. He also held the position of Division HR Leader in Nashville for nearly four years, focusing on HR leadership, strategy, and business partnership within the division.
His journey at Kroger includes corporate and functional HR roles as Corporate Human Resources Manager and Manager of Training & Development, where he played key roles in HR operations, training, and organizational development. Earlier, he served as Human Resources Specialist, Assistant Management Training Coordinator, and spent five years in Store Management, gaining ground-level experience in retail operations and people leadership.
Before joining Kroger, Duane began his career as Admissions Counselor at Urbana University, supporting the university’s outreach and student enrollment efforts.
At Kroger, the belief is simple: everyone deserves affordable, easy-to-enjoy, fresh food. This commitment is reflected in the company’s tagline—Fresh for Everyone™. Kroger ranks among the world’s largest retailers, with nearly half a million associates, more than 2,800 stores across 35 states, and operations spanning 24 grocery retail brands, 34 manufacturing plants, and 44 distribution locations. Serving over 11 million customers daily, Kroger is dedicated to living its Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™.
Kroger’s private brands, including Kroger®, Private Selection®, and Simple Truth®, are recognized and loved by customers nationwide. The company also operates its own manufacturing plants, producing thousands of grocery items. Kroger is committed to building #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025, furthering its mission to uplift America through food inspiration and responsible stewardship.
Read Also : HR Is Not a Support Function—It’s the CEO’s Most Powerful Growth Engine
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
From Gatekeeping to Gateway Building: Transforming How Organisations Create Access
Leadership In Talent Management: A Powerful Driver for Economic Growth
