2024 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Kimberley Kwok (Q&A)
Kimberley Kwok
Store Manager, Safeway
Sobeys
How did you get your start in the grocery/CPG business?
I graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of food business management. I like business and I love food, so I decided to join Safeway as a management trainee. I was born overseas and have always been curious about other cultures, so I thought a grocery store would be a great place to learn about Canadian culture and food.
What intrigues you about the grocery/CPG business?
At the beginning, I wanted to learn about Canadian culture. Eventually, I fell in love with merchandising, building WOW displays and leading a team to drive the business. I realized how fun this job could be; every day is different and, as you move around to different stores, you find each community is unique. It sure does make for a very engaging and interesting career!
What keeps you motivated at work?
I love enhancing customer shopping experiences and getting to know the shoppers in each community I serve. I strive to engage customers and drive extra sales with great selection, merchandising and excellent customer service. I am also passionate about mentoring my team to get them ready for advancement and career-growth. I love supporting the communities, whether it’s through fundraising or product donations.
What do you like most about your job?
The people. Each teammate has within them ideas and skills that may be more than what their job requires. I like to find that magic in each of them and collaborate and win together. This engages the team and builds store morale.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
To start my career with my family being overseas was a challenge. Sometimes, on stressful days, I wished my parents were here to lean on. Thankfully, they were never more than a call away.
How did you overcome it?
I started cooking my mom and grandma’s recipes to try and make my traditional comfort foods at home. My mother makes a chicken broth that requires soaking and simmering of a whole chicken for hours, and it is an extremely comforting scent that instantly makes me feel at home. Over the years, I also developed a broad circle of friends and peers that have been a great support.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
It depends. A day can start very smoothly and very suddenly become chaotic. I think being flexible and adaptable, as well as thinking on your feet, are extremely important skills when it comes to handling challenging situations.
What career advice would you give your younger self?
Start reading leadership books early. Books are a great way to accelerate your own development and they can help equip you to handle even highly challenging situations. The most important aspect of work is people, my teammates and customers. There are great books that can help prepare you to navigate even the most challenging interpersonal interactions, bringing them to a positive conclusion for all involved.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
Be authentic—your team will appreciate the honesty. Also, the suggestion to join Toastmasters to grow my public speaking skills. Toastmasters has strengthened my ability to communicate with confidence and share information effectively. Most importantly, it helps me engage my team each day and in navigating challenging situations.
What is a fun fact about you?
I like grape-flavoured soda, but I don’t enjoy eating grapes!
Click here for the full list of 2024 Star Women in Grocery award winners.