2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Sarah Boyles (Q&A)
Sarah Boyles
Director of Customer Sales Planning
Kraft Heinz Canada
What do you like most about your job?
When I moved over from sales, I’ll be honest—I was a bit apprehensive. But the work is so dynamic and wide-ranging that I thrive on the pace and the agility it demands. I get to collaborate across every function, from structured, process-driven cadences such as demand review and annual operating planning to staying on top of marketplace shifts and consumer trends. That blend of predictive planning and in-the-moment problem-solving keeps me energized every single day.
What is your leadership style?
Context is everything—so, when I say I’m a bit like a bulldozer, I mean it in the best way. As a leader, my role is to clear the path, remove obstacles and make it easier for the team to do great work. I believe strongly in ownership and autonomy; I set clear direction and expectations, then give people the trust and space to execute in their own way. At the same time, my support is visible and consistent—I’m always available to roll up my sleeves and get into the trenches—digging into the details, unblocking problems and working alongside the team when it counts. Above all else, I aim to build a positive, inclusive environment where different perspectives are valued, people feel safe speaking up and we can move fast without leaving anyone behind.
What is your proudest career moment?
Winning this award. Truly. I have been attending the Star Women in Grocery Awards since its inception and I’d always hoped that someday I would be a recipient. Attending this breakfast every September never fails to impress a feeling of pride and esteem for the incredible women leaders in our industry, and I am so honoured to be recognized as a winner.
What is a career challenge you’ve faced?
At one point in my career, I worked in an environment where teams had sharply opposing goals, objectives and measures of success. I’ve always focused on balancing the needs of consumers, customers and the company (even when those priorities compete), so I found navigating that culture particularly challenging. It required deliberate collaboration, open communication and real compromise as my colleagues and I aligned on shared outcomes to move key projects and strategies forward.
What excites you about the grocery business?
This is where I am unapologetically cheesy (appropriate for so many reasons), but I truly love this business. I often use the term “womb to the tomb.” In high school, I started working on the order desk at Lactalis (Parmalat at the time) and I was just proud to be feeding families. But I have seen the industry change so much. I am excited for the next evolution of grocery—from using technology to solve problems to continuing our deep understanding of consumers and creating solutions that deliver on what they expect. Innovation will be the biggest driver of change as consumers expectations are evolving—think functional claims, health and wellness, value etc. And I am excited to see how we rise to this challenge!
What are you passionate about outside of work?
My family is my biggest source of joy and energy. I am very lucky to have three beautiful children who keep my life not only full but grounded. Very little will humble you faster than a 13-year-old saying that you look “chopped” when you’re having a bad hair day. I am also fortunate enough to be part of a close, extended family and we spend much of our free time together, whether at the cottage or travelling for holidays. Being with the people who know me best helps me to stay true to myself and carry that authenticity into every other facet of my life.
Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.