2024 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Tanya McDonell (Q&A)
Tanya McDonell
Store Manager, Save-On-Foods, Chilliwack, B.C.
How did you get your start in the grocery business?
I was hired as a deli clerk in 2002 while I was in high school. Our work environment in store was so fun! I was told very early into my career that I was going to be a lifer with Save-On-Foods and it was something that I laughed off. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed the people, the work and learning about the products. After over five years in the deli, I moved into grocery as an assistant operations manager and learned centre of store while I worked to pursue my goal of store manager.
What are some career highlights?
I’ve been blessed with many truly amazing days in this company. In 2022, I opened Save-On-Foods King George Hub, a replacement store in Surrey B.C., which is down the road from our old location. A year later, I opened Urban Fare leləm̀ and then transferred back to Save-On-Foods Chilliwack, my hometown and where I began my career at the Sardis location. Opening new stores has left me with extremely proud memories alongside phenomenal teams that made it all happen.
The best day of my career was when our president, Darrell Jones, phoned me while I was the assistant store manager in Fort Nelson in 2016, to tell me I was promoted to store manager. To this day, it’s my career highlight. When I moved to Fort Nelson from Vancouver, it was difficult to leave family and friends, but an amazing experience with an awesome team by my side.
What do you like best about being a store manager?
The best part of being a store manager is to see team members develop and grow their careers within our organization, taking on responsibility and strengthening our company. I’m proud to have done this over the course of my career, and to see it from the other side is special and rewarding. Seeing people I’ve worked beside over the years move into key positions in our office or other stores is remarkable. I also truly love building on the culture with our store teams and within the community.
What keeps you motivated at work?
Walking into work every day, knowing that my team and I are working hard to take care of our community, our customers and each other is extremely motivating and rewarding. It’s remarkable to experience the relationships with our customers in so many communities. Our customers rely on us and that’s special.
Best advice you’ve received?
I’ve received a lot of great advice over the years, but the two that really stand out to me are “Just be you. Be yourself.” And “It’s better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.” Being a bold, strategic and an entrepreneurial thinker; knowing that every day we’re working to deliver for our customers, team and, of course, the bottom line of our business. These are meaningful pieces of advice I’ve received, and I lean on them as guides for my decisions.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Entertaining family and friends, and time spent in my kitchen is always a highlight for me and something I really enjoy. Time outside in the warmer months, paddleboarding, kayaking, camping, road trips and exploring this province and our country have been great experiences!
Anything else to add?
I am so grateful for my mentors and supporters I have presently, and those I’ve been blessed to work with along the way. I’m extremely proud to work for this company that has been around for almost 110 years, I look forward to the future and I’m honoured to be recognized.
Click here for the full list of 2024 Star Women in Grocery award winners.