ONTARIO, CANADA - No one day is the same. Ashley McPhee, Loblaw Companies Ltd's new Procurement Category Director of Bananas, Tropical, and Melons, tells me this as she reflects on her new role in the company. This is the double-edged sword of fresh produce—never a day of boredom or sameness, even if you want one. It takes a certain kind of professional to thrive in such a space, and Ashley is one of those trailblazers where the pace of change is an opportunity for her to excel. Just consider the fact she took the mantle in November of 2023, right in the thick of holiday planning. But, as expected, she did not bat an eye.

"You are constantly pivoting from one challenge to the next, which generally reveals the future opportunities for how we grow and get better," Ashley tells me as she shares her priorities for today and the years ahead. "Loblaw is an amazing company to work for, and I am excited to lead our category team to develop and execute a procurement strategy focused on value, quality, and innovation from over 20 countries around the globe.”

Another of Ashley’s essential tasks at hand is developing Loblaw’s vendor and internal stakeholder relationships across bananas, tropicals, and melons, which is critical. Whether it's negotiating large-scale contracts on bananas, or setting up a local program on watermelons, Ashley is looking forward to driving the details forward that will help elevate the program.

From category education to mentorship, Loblaw promotes the growth of its team members, and for Ashley, this has helped her to thrive.

"Being a part of the Business Enterprise Enablement Procurement (BEEP) community provides a true sense of culture where you are contributing to something amazing. From the excellent opportunities for mentorship to continuous focus on development, there is always a willingness to help others grow,” Ashley tells me. “With the added benefit of being one of Canada’s largest retailers, combined with the exposure to how food is grown around the globe and transported and shipped to over 2,500 of our stores across the country—this company provides a unique perspective and opportunity to really help Canadians live life well!”

When I ask Ashley what the future holds, she describes how the development of her team and other emerging leaders is a top priority, as well as the focus on leading a food waste initiative across the enterprise.

“I love giving people the confidence and autonomy to accomplish their goals. When that is done right, the business truly benefits from everyone sitting at the table, adding value and collaborating, and offering different perspectives. My current team of inspirational women are rock stars, and together, we will grow these categories through innovative ideas while continuing to provide the best value for our customers!” she shares.

Ashley was born of fresh produce, starting when she became a produce clerk at a local grocery store. Before joining Loblaw, she cut her teeth at the powerhouse operation Burnac Produce, where she built a valuable foundation for her continued success.

Please join me in congratulating Ashley on this recent promotion. We are excited to see what she does with the dynamic road ahead.