KeHE Unwrapped: Samantha Wozniak
KeHE® has many amazing employees, and today we are highlighting one of them who has been with us for 11 years! Keep reading below to learn about Samantha Wozniak, a valued employee who has had an impact on countless individuals.
Q: What brought you to KeHE? How long have you been with the company?
A: Before KeHE, I had worked at PepsiCo on the C-Store and Distributor team. In that position, I gained exposure to KeHE. When I needed a career change, I applied for a role within KeHE. That was in August of 2013 and I have been here ever since!
Q: Tell us a little about your role at KeHE and how it’s changed over the years.
A: Currently, I am the Senior Account Manager for Amazon Fresh and have been on this account since 2018. This role is a big change from where I started at KeHE. Before joining KeHE, my background was in financial analytics. My first role at KeHE was a business analyst for the Independent and Natural Sales teams that rolled up under the finance department. In that role, I gained exposure to sales through business reviews and reporting as well as working closely with the TSMs and Regional Directors. After 3 years in that role, I took the leap to sales and took a role on the Alt. Channel team (then called Solutions) as an account manager for various accounts (Kmart, Walgreens, Peapod, etc.). My analytical background has really aided me in managing and growing the Amazon Fresh account as they are very data driven.
Q: How has KeHE fostered your growth within the company?
A: My leadership and communication skills have developed greatly throughout my time at KeHE. The development programs I have been a part of (Rising Stars, R.A.R.E., etc.) gave me tools and resources to become a better leader. These programs also gave me visibility to peers’ perspectives, struggles, and successes so I could all learn from each their experiences as well.
Q: What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen during your tenure with KeHE?
A: In the 11 years I have been with KeHE, I have seen tremendous growth. I joined KeHE less than two years after the Tree of Life acquisition and have since seen the acquisitions of Nature’s Best, Monterrey Provisions, and most recently DPI. Through each acquisition, KeHE has been able to expand their reach and offerings, becoming one of the leading national distributors for Natural, Organic, Specialty, and Fresh Foods. Also when I started, KeHE’s corporate headquarters were in our Romeoville DC! We have grown so much since those days.
Q: During your time with KeHE, what milestones are you most proud to have been a part of?
A: I am most proud of the growth I have been a part of on my account Amazon Fresh. Since having this account, our sales have grown 4 times what they were at the start. I have been a part of Amazon Fresh venturing into the physical retail space and opening storefronts of their own. Things are always changing and there are always new points to learn with Amazon. I am proud and happy I have been a part of it.
Q: What has been your favorite memory during your time at KeHE?
A: It is impossible to pick one memory but some of my favorite times have happened at our KeHE Summer and Holiday shows! These events foster innovation, collaboration, and growth. I love the opportunity to meet with suppliers to understand their products on a deeper level and learn how to be a better partner. I love being able to reconnect with colleagues I have met over the years that are still in the CPG world. I love the team events hosted at these shows that have allowed me to get to know my teammates on a deeper level and become friends and not just co-workers. These are selling shows but they are also events that help foster teambuilding and KeHE’s culture.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave behind with KeHE?
A: I hope I am remembered as someone who was passionate about the work I was doing, always willing to help where I could, and made anyone I met feel welcome.
To learn more about KeHE, please visit https://www.kehe.com/about/.
