2024 Generation Next winner Robert Mikulec (Q&A)

Robert Mikulec

National Merchandising Director, Meat, Empire Company Limited 

As national merchandising director for meat at Empire/ Sobeys, Robert Mikulec loves “being in tune with the industry’s rhythm and pulse.” His job includes setting the strategic vision for the meat department, guiding his team in developing promotional plans and forecasting, as well as building strong partnerships with suppliers.

“While I do my best to forecast trends, the grocery landscape is dynamic and can shift unexpectedly,” explains Mikulec. “Being adaptable, building flexible plans and staying connected to these shifts make this role both challenging and exciting.”

With an MBA from Western’s Ivey Business School and a background in consulting, Mikulec has held several different roles since joining Sobeys in 2015, with countless successes. One of his proudest achievements came when he was national merchandising director for seafood. “With our sustainability team and an NGO, I launched a comprehensive seafood supply chain tracking system for our seafood suppliers,” he says. This allowed Sobeys to improve transparency in its seafood sourcing practices.

“I’m deeply inspired by making decisions that are truly sustainable for future generations,” he says. “The ability to make real, lasting change is what drives me every day.”

See the full list of Generation Next 2024 winners profiles.

Profiles were first published in the December 2024 issue of Canadian Grocer