MRO products distribution giant Grainger announced Sept. 12 that it has appointed a 17-year company veteran as its new Chief Human Resources Officer.

Matt Fortin, who joined Grainger in 2006, became the company’s new Senior Vice President and CHRO, effective Sept. 13.

Most recently, Fortin served as Grainger’s Group Vice President for its Merchandising and Supplier Management function, leading the team responsible for building and publishing Grainger’s product assortment. He has held roles of increasing responsibility across Grainger’s supply chain and led the company’s sourcing and commercial operations in China.

Before Grainger, Fortin spent 16 years at General Motors, progressing through leadership roles in manufacturing, purchasing, continuous improvement and general management.

“With nearly two decades of experience in roles across Grainger, Matt brings an innate understanding of our business and our diverse team member populations,” Grainger Chairman and CEO D.G. Macpherson said in a news release. “Grainger is frequently recognized for its culture, where our team members are valued, comfortable being themselves, and encouraged to voice their opinions. I believe Matt will be a champion for the team member experience and the customers and communities we are privileged to serve.”

Fortin graduated from the University of Dayton with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and graduated as a General Motors Fellow with an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He has held board positions with both the Midwest Red Cross chapter and El Valor, a nonprofit serving at-risk children and adults in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. He is currently the executive sponsor for the Asian and Pacific Islander Business Resource Group at Grainger.

Fortin’s appointment came a week after Grainger announced the passing of its former Kathleen Carroll, who was the company’s CHRO from 2018 until July of this year, when she became a strategic advisor for the company.