2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Meghan Martens (Q&A)

Meghan Martens

VP, Grading Operations
P&H Foods 

How did you get your start in the food business?

I started my career in HR within industrial manufacturing and later moved into operations. Early on, I made it a priority to work alongside the team on the floor and learn the business in a hands-on way.

During COVID, my role shifted and I found I was further from the operation than I wanted to be. I realized quickly that I do my best work when I’m close to the business and the people running it. Around that time, a colleague reached out about an upcoming plant manager transition at Golden Valley. I met the team, spent time in the operation and saw an opportunity to step into a role that combined operational leadership with a strong people focus. It felt like the right step at the right time, and a chance to get back to leading the way I work best—close to the operation and the team.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy problem solving. I find energy in cutting through complexity and getting to a clear, practical solution. In operations, there is always noise, competing priorities and pressure to react quickly. I enjoy stepping back, simplifying the issue and focusing the team on what will actually move the outcome. A big part of my role is helping teams do the same. When people have clarity on what matters most, decision making improves and execution follows.

In my experience, the simplest solution is usually the right one.

What is a non-negotiable for you?

Integrity. That includes being willing to listen, even when it is uncomfortable. Feedback can be difficult to hear, but avoiding it creates bigger problems over time. I expect the same from the people I work with. Everyone brings a different perspective, and there is always something to learn if you take the time to understand it. Creating an environment where people can speak openly, challenge thinking and stay aligned is critical to building trust and delivering results.

Best career advice you've received?

Operate from a place of understanding. I learned early that assumptions damage relationships and create unnecessary complexity. They lead to rework, missed expectations and wasted time. Taking the time to understand the situation, the people involved and the context behind a decision, changes how you approach problems. It leads to better decisions, stronger relationships and more effective execution.

Your best day on the job?

A few years ago, we completed a major renovation at Golden Valley and installed new equipment that increased our capacity by 40%. It was one of the most complex operational challenges I’ve worked on. We were commissioning new equipment while continuing to supply products to customers, in a business where shelf-life matters and downtime has real consequences. At the same time, we were maintaining and upskilling the team to support the new operation. The day the system hit its performance targets stands out. It wasn’t just about the output; the team was engaged, confident and proud of what they had accomplished together. There’s a real power in everyone pulling in the same direction, and that day you could feel it across the entire operation. It proved what the team was capable of when everything aligned, and that is what made it meaningful.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I like being outdoors and staying active. In the winter, I spend as much time as I can skiing,and in the summer, it’s water skiing. Outside of that, I value time with my family, whether that’s being outside together or something as simple as sitting by a fire in our backyard. It gives me a chance to step away from the pace of work and stay connected to what matters most.

What’s a fun fact about you?

Growing up, I wanted to be a baker. In high school, I actually ran a small baking business.

I quickly learned that I wasn’t drawn to the hours that came with it, which is what led me toward business instead. It gave me an early view into the demands behind the food supply chain, which I didn’t fully appreciate at the time but still think about today.

Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.