Ellen Klegstad
UNFI Fresh- Key Customer Contact
UNFI
Providence, RI
Q. How has your career evolved over the years?
A. My parents owned and operated a café/bakery in Chicago. Part of being in a family owned business is everyone is involved. I found my passion and career path when I went to work for Jewel Foods in 1981. Within six months I was offered an opportunity to attend their management program, which led to managing a bakery department then a deli department. It was there that I spent time learning the management portion of the business as well as the knowledge of handling product in both the bakery and deli.
In 1997, my career would continue in a new path, and I became a bakery/deli specialist with SUPERVALU, working with independent retailers. I would work closely with retailers on merchandising, promoting SUPERVALU programs and selling events to grow their sales.
In 2000, I would go back to retail and work for Marketplace Foods in Wisconsin and oversee the bakery and deli operations at all its stores. The knowledge I gained on the wholesale side would be instrumental in working on developing new programs based on the offerings of the warehouse.
I was responsible for merchandising, training new managers, writing ads, and developing and executing programs and events that grew the business.
In 2015, I would make another change in my career and return back to wholesale to SUPERVALU, now UNFI. My job has evolved to the place that I enjoy the most and that is working directly with customers
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