BATAVIA, Ill. — Aldi U.S. has promoted longtime executive Karla Waddleton to the role of chief operating officer, as part of a broader leadership transition at the fast-growing discount grocer.
Waddleton, who shared the news Tuesday on LinkedIn, steps into the role previously held by Atty McGrath, who is slated to become CEO of Aldi U.S. on Sept. 1. McGrath will succeed current chief executive Jason Hart, who is moving to Austria to become group COO of Aldi Süd, the global parent company.
The appointments place two seasoned company veterans at the helm of Aldi U.S. as the grocer accelerates its national expansion strategy. Known for its no-frills, value-focused model, Aldi is one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country, opening hundreds of stores in recent years and expanding aggressively into the Southeast and Gulf Coast.
Waddleton brings more than two decades of operational experience to the COO role, having joined Aldi as a district manager in St. Louis. Most recently, she has served as vice president of Aldi’s Rosenberg Division in Texas, which she helped establish in 2016.
“As I look back on my journey with Aldi... I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside an extraordinary team committed to our mission,” Waddleton wrote in her announcement. “It’s inspiring to see the uniqueness of our employees and hear their stories. Each person contributes significantly to enhancing the customer experience and brings ideas that help us improve continually.”
Under Waddleton’s leadership, the Rosenberg Division expanded Aldi’s footprint across major Texas markets, including Houston and Austin. “We are a competitive group,” she added, “but our passion for the work we do and the outstanding service we provide to our communities drives us every day.”
Her promotion comes as Aldi pushes deeper into new geographies and builds out its supply chain and digital infrastructure to support a growing store base. Industry watchers expect the grocer to maintain its aggressive store opening pace in 2025, while continuing to invest in price leadership and private label development.
Waddleton emphasized her commitment to innovation and customer value in her remarks. “As we move forward, I am eager to harness this collective momentum, focus on driving innovation, and deliver exceptional value to our customers,” she said.
