2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Robin Poulain (Q&A)
Robin Poulain
Director of Commercial Strategy & Execution
Conagra Brands Canada
You started your career at Canadian Tire. How did you move into the grocery/CPG sector, and what has kept you there?
Canadian Tire was a powerful training ground early in my career. It’s where I learned the influence of the shelf, the dynamics of negotiation and the discipline of operational timelines. Leading with curiosity helped me build strong internal and external relationships, deepen my understanding of the manufacturer landscape and, ultimately, make the transition to that side of the business.
A commitment to continuous learning enabled my move from hard goods into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector, spanning categories from household paper to food, across premium and value price points, as well as the growing better-for-you space.
Why stay? The people. The brands. The impact on Canadians. CPG is a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry, full of complexity and headwinds—exactly the kind of challenge that motivates me to learn, contribute and grow.
How do you approach career progression?
Early in my career, I equated growth with titles; today, I define it by impact and learning. I focus on the impact I can make on the business, culture and peopleand—just as importantly—what they can teach me in return.
Several points in my career required lateral moves. Those roles proved to be the most formative, delivering the steepest learning curves and leaving the most lasting impact. It was through these challenges that I built the perspective and capability to move laterally into my current role.
Today, my mentor challenges me to think long-term and to be intentional about building the right experiences, ensuring each step strengthens not just my current contribution, but my future potential.
What is your superpower?
Organization is my superpower. It shows up in my ability to cut through noise, focus on what truly matters, communicate with impact and translate complexity into clear, repeatable processes. Today, my mantra is simple: create predictability internally so we have the time, space , and capacity to navigate an unpredictable external environment. By simplifying what’s required and building structure where it counts, teams move faster, make better decisions, and stay focused on impact.
Best day on the job?
It’s twofold. For my team, my best days come from investing in their growth —aligning on learning plans, working toward their goals and watching capability click. Seeing a team member confidently crush a proposal that was once an area of development is incredibly rewarding and often the highlight of my day.
For me personally, it’s presenting. Whether one-on-one with customers, leading a larger group or speaking at a town hall, I’m deeply energized by shaping messages through storytelling and tailoring them for different audiences. That ability to engage, influence and connect is where I find pure joy.
What is a fun fact about you?
Sport in my adolescence taught me the power of visualization and positive self-talk. Today, I apply this discipline consistently, using positive self-talk to prepare for key personal and professional moments.
Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.