2023 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Ore Jimoh (Q&A)

Ore Jimoh

Senior Program Manager
Metro

What was your first role in the grocery business?

I started my career as a project co-ordinator, planning and co-ordinating multiple innovative projects to achieve strategic business goals. I then attained my post-graduate certificate in project management at the University of Toronto and earned my Project Management Professional (PMP) designation from the Project Management Institute. Currently, I lead and manage a portfolio of complex supply chain strategic initiatives of a national grocery retail business enterprise with a budget of more than half a billion dollars. 

What is the best career advice you've received?

When I reflect on the insightful men and women that have contributed to my growth, it is very difficult to limit the advice I have received to one. However, I will say the foundational career advice I have received so far is “All you need is One.” This means one opportunity at each moment when fully embraced with preparation is all you need to start accomplishing extraordinary goals, have an impact and establish a fulfilling career.  

What has been your proudest career moment?

Establishing the program management practice that served as the driving force for planning and executing our two new automated distribution centres (Fresh Phase 1 and Freezer) while leading a remarkable team of highly committed project leads and managers. This is because these new automated distribution centres position our business, Metro, for long-term competitive advantage and sustainability. They enable us to provide quality products and services to our stores, and ultimately our valuable customers.

What has been your biggest challenge? 

I am yet to encounter the biggest challenge in my role and career. The reason is, what others see as challenges, I interpret them as opportunities that open me up to possibilities. I consider every role and responsibility through the journey of my career to be unique and I approach them in a new way. As a result, I gain new skills, knowledge and gather lessons learned that enable me to consistently achieve goals and have positive impact. 

What is your philosophy to professional growth?

True growth starts from within you before it reflects outside of you. In mapping out my career, I like to start with asking myself, “What is my why?” This helps me to first clarify my motives and intentions which allows me to map out a plan that aligns with my purpose and keeps me committed. For example, my long-term objective is to be a leader that influences global business landscapes and proactively shapes the future by providing unique solutions to multi-faceted problems. In achieving this, I am currently undertaking the Executive MBA program at Ivey Business School to expand my knowledge, skills and leadership capacity.  

What do you like to do outside work?

I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends through our quiet times, over a meal, engaging in fun activities, travelling together and celebrating one another.

Click here for the full list of 2023 Star Women in Grocery award winners.