NEW YORK — James McCann, chief operating officer at Ahold USA and a key figure behind the revival of the Stop & Shop and Giant brands, has resigned from the company and its executive management board.

Ahold Delhaize said that Kevin Holt, who held the same title at Delhaize America, has been appointed in his place.

McCann’s resignation comes months after the Dutch retailer completed a merger with Delhaize Group, parent of the Hannaford and Food Lion chains that Holt oversaw as Delhaize America COO. Those units will report to Ahold Delhaize deputy chief executive officer Frans Muller on an interim basis.

According to Ahold, McCann resigned “in order to move out of full-time executive work and into a portfolio of nonexecutive and advisory roles.”

McCann joined Ahold in September 2011 as chief commercial officer and assumed responsibilities for Ahold USA in 2013. He was named Delhaize America COO in 2014.

“We thank James for his significant contributions both driving our e-commerce strategy whilst based in Europe and for the last three and a half years driving the transformation at Ahold USA, supporting the Stop & Shop New York, Stop & Shop New England, Giant Landover, Giant Carlisle, Martin’s and Peapod brands,” Ahold Delhaize CEO Dick Boer said in a statement.