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BRANDEN MEIER, 30 Produce Buyer
Marc Glassman Inc. HQ: Parma, OH
Hometown: Brook Park, OH
Hobbies: Spending time with family, camping, fishing, home improvement projects
Personal/Community: Married, one daughter
Motto in life: Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today.
Work history: Meier started working in the produce department at Marc’s, a super- market chain owned by Marc Glassman Inc., while attending college in 2007. Shortly after, he took a position as a produce manager, really developing an interest in working with produce. In 2011, he was promoted to produce merchandiser where he was responsible for nine Marc’s stores. In 2013, after attending his first PMA show, he decided to make produce his career, and in 2014, he received a promotion to lead produce merchandiser where he was respon- sible for all 60 Marc’s stores and a team of six produce merchandisers. As a team effort, he was actively involved with developing the produce training manual, which all produce clerks must complete before working in the department and was responsible for all new store produce department layouts. In 2015 he was trained in banana ripening by Del Monte. In 2016, he completed the United Fresh Produce Inspection Training Program in Virginia. In 2017, he moved to become a produce buyer for Marc’s. He now buys 224 items in 15 categories and continues to expand categories by working with suppliers and bringing in innovative items. Having worked his way up through the ranks allows him to move quickly on market changes and opportunities. Meier is also actively involved in the contract proposals and the fruit basket holiday program. He meets with local and nationwide suppliers, negotiating programs and new items.
Q: What aspect of the business chal- lenged you the most early on?
The ever-changing nature of the markets is what makes the produce industry so fun, yet challenging at the same time. My store- level experience really developed my deci- sion-making and time management skills, which are exceedingly useful in my position as a buyer.
Q: What industry improvements would you like to see?
I would like to see more advertising to the consumer on how much care is taken in getting the produce to them in such a safe and timely matter. The average consumer does not know half of the precautionary measures taken every step of the way.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry? In my time spent at store level, the most rewarding part was teaching, training and developing people of all ages and back- grounds, many of whom got promoted through the ranks. It is a great feeling being able to teach and share knowledge that helps propel someone advancing. Even those who do not stay in the industry find themselves using many of the skills they developed during their time spent in produce. “Always send the elevator back down.”
Q: What was the “aha” moment when you knew the produce industry was the best choice for you?
In 2013 I attended my first PMA Fresh Summit. It was there I realized how big the produce industry is, and its potential. I was very intrigued with how much respect there was between everyone.
Q: What do you see as the most critical “hot button” issue facing the industry in the next decade?
It will be interesting to see how the industry reacts to the quickly changing labor force — from increasing wages to the Millennial mindset on certain labor issues. I foresee the need for more automated machines and robots.
Q: How has the industry changed during your tenure?
I have watched the market lean toward more convenient, quick, ready-to-cook items such as microwavable items, and also, the growing demand for organics.
MÓNICA
MORENO ARELLANO, 38
Latin America, New Projects Impulse Manager
Grupo PM
HQ: Cuernavaca, México
Hometown: Mexico City
Hobbies: Yoga, planting succulents, horse- back riding, reading, spending time with nephews
Personal/Community: UNICEF, Green- peace animal-related causes; sponsors young girl through World Vision.
Motto in life: This too shall pass.
Work history: Moreno started working during the summers for Grupo PM, a company founded by her parents almost 29 years ago. She went to every event and in-store promotion or wholesale visit they had. Her first job was working on the USA Pears Kids’ Club, and she once donned the California Strawberry Commission’s mascot uniform. After doing an internship in Washington DC, with the National Dry Bean Council, she started working with her parents. At the beginning she didn’t have an official position, which allowed her to spend a lot of time working directly with her father. After a couple of months, she began working on the Central America programs, coordinating some activities and reporting directly to the manager. In 2014, the company’s scope of work opened to work in more markets, including Colombia and Venezuela, prompting a change for Moreno to her current position of Latin America manager. Regardless of her title, she remains involved in different areas of the company. She develops the communi- cation strategy and plans for the company’s U.S. ag clients for Central and South America and operates those programs with one of her teams. She also develops and helps execute digital and social media strategies and programs with another team. And she coordinates another team for the compa- ny’s Spanish accounts and new projects.
Also, being one of the two daughters of the owners, she and her sister have been working hand-in-hand with her father to assure the company keeps growing and that it keeps thriving.
Q: What aspect of the business chal- lenged you the most early on?
Ours is a family business, and even when it is the most rewarding and amazing experi- ence it is a daily challenge, with problems that mix family and business. Learning to leave work in the office and family at home is a challenge.
Q: What industry improvements would you like to see?
In Mexico and Central America, I would like to see major improvements on traceability. In Mexico, we have been working hard on a PLU usage program with the industry, retailers and growers. One little step for mankind, but we’ll get there.
Q: What do you see as the most critical “hot button” issue facing the industry in the next decade?
Food safety. This is, and will continue to be, a key factor for the industry. The ability to react to a problem will make consumers continue trusting us or not.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry? Be flexible. Learn another language (Spanish if you’re in the United States, and certainly English if you are anywhere else). Be open, and get ready to fall in love with an industry you’ll want to be part of for the rest of your life.
Q: What do you think the industry can do to promote more produce consumption?
I think some associations, companies and governments are doing a great job, but we need to have a stronger voice with kids, teaching them the importance of following a healthy lifestyle and the impact this may have on their future life.
Q: What do you think is the biggest misconception about the produce industry by the public at large?
Lists like the Dirty Dozen harm the produce industry. There are many other examples of ideas that consumers simply buy, without going deeper and really learning what happens behind every single box of produce.
PRODUCE BUSINESS / JUNE 2019 / 35