Matthew Rai

Strategy and operations executive with 20+ years of experience across grocery, wholesale, importing, and multi-site retail. Known for translating strategy into practical execution through business planning, budget ownership, performance reporting, process improvement, and cross-functional leadership. Led the growth of Lina's Italian Market from a single specialty store into a five-location platform with two restaurants and a wholesale division, delivering more than 500% revenue growth while building stronger operating discipline, reporting cadence, and scalable infrastructure.

Senior Vice President at Lina's Italian Market (2017-01 – 2026-01)

Scaled Lina's from one specialty grocery store into a five-location platform with two restaurants and a wholesale division, growing revenue to approximately $30M over five years.

• Scaled Lina's from one specialty grocery store into a five-location platform with two restaurants and a wholesale division, growing revenue to approximately $30M over five years.
• Led business planning, annual budgets, growth priorities, and cross-functional execution across retail, warehouse, restaurant, and import operations.
• Built management reporting routines across sales, labor, margin, inventory, and purchasing to support faster decision-making and stronger accountability.
• Developed direct sourcing relationships in Italy and across Europe, negotiated long-term supplier partnerships, and reduced cost of goods by 20%.
• Improved inventory and purchasing discipline, increasing inventory turns by 30% and reducing stockouts by 25%.
• Expanded and mentored leadership teams across stores and support functions while standardizing operating processes to support growth.

General Manager at Sunterra Quality Food Markets (2016-01 – 2017-01)

Managed full-store operations with responsibility for a $12M budget within a vertically integrated agri-food business.

• Managed full-store operations with responsibility for a $12M budget within a vertically integrated agri-food business.
• Improved merchandising, demand planning, and margin performance across fresh and packaged categories.
• Led frontline teams and strengthened operating execution through coaching, performance management, and clear accountability.
• Refined ordering, labor, and service routines to support more consistent financial and customer outcomes.

General Manager at Bite Groceteria & Quality Food Markets (2014-01 – 2016-01)

Led a specialty food retail concept with full P&L ownership across buying, pricing, staffing, and financial performance.

• Led a specialty food retail concept with full P&L ownership across buying, pricing, staffing, and financial performance.
• Built supplier relationships and aligned product mix with customer demand to improve margin and category performance.
• Developed hands-on expertise in category planning, pricing strategy, demand forecasting, and day-to-day operating leadership.

Assistant Store Manager at Sunterra Quality Food Markets (2005-01 – 2014-01)

Managed teams of 100+ employees across scheduling, training, and daily operations in a high-volume specialty grocery environment.

• Managed teams of 100+ employees across scheduling, training, and daily operations in a high-volume specialty grocery environment.
• Supported budget delivery and KPI performance while reinforcing standards for service, productivity, and execution.
• Built foundational experience in team leadership, business operations, and customer-focused retail execution.

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Business Administration – Mount Royal University (2008-01 – 2013-01)