CINCINNATI, April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Timothy Massa will be promoted to group vice president, human resources and labor relations.

Mr. Massa, 47, currently serves as vice president of corporate human resources, talent development.  In this expanded role, he will take responsibility for labor relations when Paul Heldman, executive vice president, secretary and general counsel, retires in May.

"Tim is a trusted human resources professional and valued partner," said Mike Ellis, Kroger's president and chief operating officer.  "In just four years at Kroger, leaders and associates throughout the company know they can count on him for strategic direction and advice. He leads by example, bringing life to the Kroger Leadership Model through his passion for people and results every day. We are pleased to welcome Tim to our leadership team."

Mr. Massa joined Kroger in 2010 in his current role as vice president. Prior to joining the company, he served in various human resources leadership roles for 21 years at Procter & Gamble.  He has an extensive global HR generalist background in leadership development, succession planning, performance management, strategy development, employee relations and engagement.  

Mr. Massa earned a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Dayton. He is a member of the College of Mt. St. Joseph board of trustees, the Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank board of trustees, and the University of Dayton Champions and Scholars Program. He also received a Future HR Leaders accreditation from Cornell University.

Mr. Massa and his wife, Lisa, live in Cincinnati, Ohio and have two children, Mallory and Morgan.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,640 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.  The company also operates 786 convenience stores, 320 fine jewelry stores, 1,240 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food processing plants in the U.S.  Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.