Sobeys Quebec president heads to Couche-Tard

Claude Tessier, president of Sobeys' Quebec business unit, has left the retailer to take on the position of chief financial officer at Alimentation Couche-Tard.

Along with overseeing Couche-Tards financial planning, reporting and investor relations, Tessier (pictured) will also be working with Brian Hannasch, Couche-Tard's president and CEO, to evaluate opportunities for expansion under the Circle K brand.

Last September Couche-Tard announced all Mac's convenience stores in Canada would be rebranded under the Circle K, which is the convenience chains's American banner.

Sobeys' announcement of Tessier's departure came early Monday afternoon with a note that he was leaving for another undisclosed "opportunity." Within hours, Couche-Tard confirmed it had hired Tessier.

Simon Gagné, chief human resources officer with Sobeys, will, in addition to his current responsibilities, oversee Sobeys' Quebec business on an interim basis as the company searches for Tessier’s replacement.

"Our leadership team in Quebec, which manages the IGA retail chain as well as other banners throughout the province, will remain focused on advancing the "Joy of Eating Better" movement and in serving the needs of our customers each and every day," Marc Poulin, president and CEO of Sobeys, said in a statement.

Tessier was named  president of Sobeys' IGA operations unit in June 2012. The announcement was made the same day that Sobeys appointed Poulin as head of Sobeys.

Tessier began his career in 1986 as a chartered accountant with Coopers & Lybrand (now Price Waterhouse Coopers).

Between 1989 and 1994 he worked at Mallette International and Costco. He joined Provigo in 1994, where he held a number of roles including vice-president of financial planning and vice-president of finance and treasury.

Tessier joined Sobeys Quebec in 2003 as VP of finance and strategic planning.