HOW A NEW BREED OF EXECUTIVES ALTERS CAREER MODELS

David Orgel

Until recently, there was a straightforward path to becoming a top dog at a supermarket company. All you had to do was start at the bottom and devote your entire career to gradually climbing the rungs of a company ladder. Hard work, long hours, devotion to employer. Some 40 or 50 years later, you were at the top.

The problem was the ladder often didn't support people willing to buck tradition with outside perspectives and new visions. Retailers paid the price for that failing.

Things are increasingly different today. How do we know? Take a look at this week's feature story, "Rising Stars." The article profiles five industry executives who are experiencing fast career growth as they make major contributions to their retail companies. (Profiles begin on Page 16.) All five were identified by people in the industry in response to SN's recent solicitation for names of up-and-coming executives.

It's notable how the careers and perspectives of these five diverge from the traditional supermarket-industry model. These executives are motivated by a desire to produce change based on new visions. Their outlooks are broadened by diverse job experiences. All of the profile subjects have worked at chains or organizations other than their present one. All but one started outside the food retail business, or left it for a time.

Here are thumbnail sketches of how these rising stars help bring new approaches to their companies:

Laura Karet, executive vice president of sales at Giant Eagle, brought a consumer packaged goods background (she held positions at Procter & Gamble and Sara Lee) to a major supermarket chain.

David McInerney, senior vice president of merchandising and product development at FreshDirect, transported a high-end chef's craft to an online grocery delivery operation.

Mike Vail, senior vice president of retail operations at Kash n' Karry/Sweetbay, has helped gear his chain for a cultural transformation, complete with a new banner and strategy.

Rob Marsh, director of planning and development at RPCS Inc., helped re-ignite a small retailer's sales by developing a creative game plan to improve customer service and in-store conditions.

Nancy McDermott, an Ahold senior vice president who heads up its BrainTree Sourcing unit, brought out-of-the-box thinking and a knack for focus to a highly nontraditional role at a global retailer.

The five executives cited above have two other things in common. First, all are in their 30s or 40s, although SN didn't set an age requirement. Second, and more meaningful, these executives credited employers, colleagues, or mentors for much of their success.

A little humility seems to go a long way in lifting careers and companies.