2024 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Kimberly Roth (Q&A)

Kimberly Roth

Category Customer Sales Planning Leader
The Clorox Company of Canada

How did you get your start in the grocery/CPG business? 

My earliest jobs were working in sales at my local shopping mall, which provided an in-depth knowledge of consumer behaviours, selling skills and team dynamics. While earning my university degree, I joined P&G’s consumer relations team, working on the frontlines responding to consumers’ needs and learning about the brands and categories, which sparked my desire for a career in CPG. This role built my foundation of a consumer-first methodology, enriched my service background, and gave me exposure and opportunity to advance.

What keeps you motivated at work?

I stay motivated by always defining where I can offer the most value and then thrusting my energy in that direction. I am fuelled by action and results and love opportunities to coach, lead efficiencies and design strategies to achieve team aspirations. I always experience such a huge sense of accomplishment when crossing something off my list and aim to be laser-focused on the must-do priorities, but ready to pivot as business needs change. I have discovered that I stay invested and most passionate when I feel supported, challenged and empowered. 

What was your biggest career challenge and how did you overcome it?

Working on Clorox’s cleaning and disinfecting categories throughout the pandemic was challenging and deeply rewarding. Facing a significant increase in demand amidst supply chain constraints, struggling to support our consumers, customers and healthcare channels that depend on our products for safety was an immense responsibility. The pressure on the business and uncertainty of the future required commitment to core company values such as doing the right thing and putting people at the centre. Through principled decision-making, willingness to adapt, as well as sheer determination and grit, I deepened my resilience, strengthened my leadership and management skills, and fostered stakeholder relationships. The elevated level of communication and collaboration multi-functionally and with our customers created partnerships that have enhanced our ways of working and our ability to win together.

Best career advice you’ve received?

Be thoughtful about your personal brand and show up consistently. It takes courage to grow self-awareness, and effort to embrace the areas that offer room for reflection and development just as much as those where we are exceptional. The best leaders I have had do both things very well, and the even better ones have encouraged me to be authentic, transparent and to showcase what makes me unique as a success enabler. When a team chooses to support each other’s journey and builds a high degree of trust, that’s where the real magic is. That’s when together they are unstoppable.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

My family and I keep busy enjoying community events and local attractions, or I can be found shuffling my son to his various activities and hobbies. I love going on long walks or attending live music concerts (with hundreds of my ticket stubs saved in a special memory box).

What is a fun fact about you?

I always have an upcoming Disney trip in my calendar. If you love Disney, too, we will be instant friends!

Anything else to add? 

Clorox is a special place to work, and I consider myself lucky to be part of the team. I am honoured and privileged to play a role activating Clorox IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Allyship) as a core enabler of our culture through our Employee Resource Groups (Clorox Charity, Social Committee, Pride, Joint Health and Safety, Inclusion and Diversity, Eco, and SELF - Empowerment and Leadership for Women).

Click here for the full list of 2024 Star Women in Grocery award winners.