2024 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Candice Chan (Q&A)
Candice Chan
CPA, CMA, Controller, Financial Reporting & Analysis
Metro Ontario
What do you like most about your job?
I enjoy interacting with other areas of the business, understanding initiatives being put in place at all levels of the organization (store, merchandising, marketing, etc.) and being able to provide financial guidance into the potential or actual outcome of those initiatives. I think being in the grocery business is something everyone can relate to—we all buy groceries–and being able to provide input into the ultimate customer experience, even if just through crunching the numbers, is very rewarding.
What is the secret to making complex financials understandable and actionable?
The key to explaining financials is knowing your audience. Explaining numbers to a CFO requires different details than explaining to a VP of operations. To me, the most important factor is understanding and explaining the broader context of the numbers in a way that the audience can relate to—what were the business or external drivers that led to the financial results? And what do the numbers mean for future decision-making in the business? I put myself in the other person’s shoes and focus on the areas they would understand and find meaningful.
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Can I say being chosen as a Star Woman? Seriously, I don’t see a lot of finance professionals being recognized for this award, which maybe makes sense. Finance is generally a support function that doesn’t necessarily drive the grocery business in the same way as our merchandising, store operations or supply chain teams do. So, to be recognized in the same category as these other specialties, with these other amazing women, speaks volumes in terms of the value I bring to the table and that gives me so much pride in the career I have built at Metro.
What keeps you motivated?
It’s all about the people. We have such a great team at Metro and my interactions with all areas of the organization provide me with an opportunity to learn, grow and adapt every day. As well, as a leader, knowing I can positively impact someone’s day or help them to solve a problem is incredibly fulfilling.
What is a fun fact about you?
I grew up on a dairy farm in a small town in Ontario. This is surprising to most people because I am very far from a “farm girl” in adulthood. I didn’t appreciate the small-town farm lifestyle while growing up, but I can see the values that it created in me: a strong work ethic, resourcefulness and learning to use people’s individual strengths to reach our group goals.
How else do you see yourself contributing to your company and the industry?
First and foremost, I am a customer. I am the target market: A mom with a husband and two kids who is balancing work while trying to get a meal on the table before running the kids off to their activities. I believe women need to have a strong voice in all areas of the grocery industry and I will continue to be an advocate for that.
Click here for the full list of 2024 Star Women in Grocery award winners.