CGHRC names new executive director

A new executive director has been appointed by the Canadian Grocery HR Council (CGHRC).

Patricia Parulekar will be in charge of the leadership and management of CGHRC and its board of directors. She brings more than two decades of public policy, business development, public affairs and labour relations experience to the role.

As Parulekar (pictured above) told Canadian Grocer, "I am looking forward to building on the work of a dedicated group of industry partners by effectively communicating career opportunities and addressing skill gaps within the grocery retail/wholesale sector...A well-run, safe food system is essential to the Canadian economy.  Not only does Canada's grocery sector deliver on these basics, it also offers a plentiful diversity of offerings."

Parulekar's background spans varied sectors, from agriculture to pharmaceutical to tourism. Most recently, she was a consulting policy analyst for the Thomsen Corporation.

Commenting on the most pressing human resources challenges facing the grocery sector, Parulekar points toward recruitment and retention of employees.  "The CGHRC has, and continues to, develop tools to address these issues and I plan to not only deliver on member needs, but to also make a meaningful difference to the bottom line, and make working in the grocery industry a rewarding experience," she told Canadian Grocer.

CGHRC is a non-profit organization that was established in 2003. It is focused on the human resource challenges within the grocery industry and is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.

Previous CGHRC executive director Cheryl Paradowski left the post last summer; she now leads the Purchasing Management Association of Canada.