Where are they now? Generation Next winner Mo Hamoud

Canadian Grocer’s Generation Next awards debuted in 2011 to honour the grocery industry’s rising stars (under age 40). We recently caught up with a few past winners (check out our August issue for more!) to find out how their careers have been shaping up—including Mo Hamoud, who won the award in 2017. Here’s what he had to say:

Job then: Fresh specialist, store operations, Food Basics

Job now: District manager, Food Basics

What has changed in your career since 2017, when you won a GenNext Award?

Since winning the award, I have become a district manager with Food Basics. Knowing my company believed in me enough to nominate me and then becoming a district manager has motivated me to work even harder for the company and to help the Food Basics brand continue to grow.

What do you like best about your current role?

I love interacting with people, from coaching and training employees to talking and interacting with customers. I enjoy working with others to solve problems. The passion I have for this business and the way I see it changing every day makes it all very exciting to be a part of. I love looking for new and innovative ideas.

Can you share a tough career lesson you’ve learned?

There have been many challenges throughout my career, which have resulted in some of my greatest learnings. If you don’t fail at some point, I don’t think you’re pushing hard enough. The important lesson comes from how you overcome and bounce back from these challenges. In this business, you will face obstacles – you’re always learning something new every day.

Do you know a rising star in the grocery industry? Nominate them now for this year’s Generation Next Awards. It’s quick and easy, but don’t delay! The deadline to enter/nominate is September 16.