Why did you decide to take on a new challenge after your first role?

As an intern, I was tasked with the project of transforming the way we received products into the warehouse. After months of hard work in rolling out the project, I was offered a role to stay on with the company part-time during my senior year of college. Building strong relationships with the Operations team, getting tasked with high-stake projects in the Grocery building, and challenging myself to grow as a leader were all enticing me to have a future at this company. When offered a full-time role post-graduation, it was a no-brainer that I wanted to start my full-time career at SpartanNash.

How did you feel about the change?

The change brought a lot of excitement more than anything. I was confident in my abilities to have a successful career, but having an offer to be in a leadership position as my first job out of college was an opportunity that I felt was vital for my growth in this industry. Having managers that felt highly of my skills as an intern and were invested in my progression as a leader only made the transition that much smoother.

How did you get to your current role? 

I was offered my current role because of the success I had in my internship tackling projects I was given, my eagerness to learn, and my commitment to improving my skillset. As an intern during my senior year of college at Michigan State University, I would commute twice a week to train with supervisors to get myself ready to take on my role post-graduation. Prior to being offered the job, I was offered an opportunity to lead the shipping team on second shift in a similar capacity as I would be as a supervisor upon my graduation.

What did you learn in the transition(s) between roles? 

I learned how to lead a team in the transition between roles. In leading a team, you must be able to put your teammates in the best position to execute that day’s work. Also, learning how to deal with changes and problem solve in a fast-paced environment like a warehouse was a skill I had to pick up nearly right away. Being able to solve problems quick enough to not slow down production was a key trait that I needed to grow in to be able to succeed in my role.

What advice would you share with anyone looking to take the next step in their career at SpartanNash? 

The biggest advice I would give is to be obsessed with learning and absorbing information daily. Observe every process in your role and always ask questions about something you don’t know or why things are done the way that they are. Having this mindset grew my knowledge of the industry quicker than I ever could have imagined. Lastly, challenge yourself daily by running with the opportunities you are given in your current role. Taking on more responsibility and excelling with those opportunities are great for your career growth.

Is there anything else you want to add?

I was tasked with leading an automation project in the General Merchandising Warehouse. Working on this project has helped advance my leadership skills, knowledge of the industry, and process improvement.