Will Harel
Will Harel’s motto is “just get it done.” From cleaning, to doing repairs, to helping receive goods, Will is known as a guy who does a job quickly and up to standards as an order selector at the Safeway RSC in Winnipeg. He particularly applies this can-do attitude when it comes to health and safety standards at the small-but- bustling warehouse. In order to keep everyone safe while training new employees, Will came up with the idea of showing them how to use the unfamiliar machinery outside, setting up stacks of wood pallets to mimic trailers.The new hires were then able to practice backing into the pallets, which gave them time to learn the skill without the distraction of regular work going on around them. “We just find it safer to go outside with new employees the first time they’re ever driving a machine,” he says. “They’re scared, so it makes it safer for the new employee and all the employees around.”
Marie-Pier Joly
“If you don’t tell me about it, I can’t help you improve the situation.” That is the credo by which Marie-Pier lives on a daily basis. In her capacity as liaison with the head office, she knows that communication is critical. Especially in a busy, brand new store, where her dedication to colleagues, the store, and her availability have made her a valuable asset. Marie-Pier doesn’t quit until the job is done and done well. Her nomination letter says that she is always ready to support her colleagues, and she never refuses a challenge. She takes pride in her store’s move towards organic, pesticide-free produce, adding that there are now 120 non-natural ingredients that are prohibited in their stores. She looks up to Michelle Obama as a sincere, authentic female leader and role model.
Casey Jamieson
Casey has only worked for Sobeys for a year but already she knows how to deliver exceptional service. Last spring, when an elderly customer fell in the parking lot, Casey and a manager ran outside to assist. They called an ambulance and after the customer was checked out by paramedics, he insisted on getting his groceries. It was a slow night in the store so Casey volunteered to help. “I offered a wheelchair and he declined so I walked around the store with him and chatted, got his groceries, made him coffee and then he went home.” These actions impressed her bosses who wrote that “it would be an understatement to describe Casey’s interaction with the gentleman as kind and patient.” The desire to help others was instilled in Casey by her family. “I get my values from my parents and my grandmother. She is the strongest, smartest person I know. I wouldn’t be who I am without her.”
Tyler Jackson
When he was being interviewed for a job as a front-end clerk, a manager asked Tyler what he liked to do in his spare time. “I can do anything,” the young man replied. “I just need someone to give me a chance.” His boss decided to be that someone and the decision to hire Tyler, who lives with a disability, is one he has never regretted. Tyler says he’s confident in his abilities and it shows every day at work. “I’m a hard worker and can do anything they want me to do,” adding that he gets his work ethic from his mother, who works three jobs. “Customers come first,” says Tyler, who has worked for Sobeys for 11 years. “Sometimes I make their day and help them out with their groceries to their car.” Tyler says he likes to stay active and his job at the store is a great fit. “I don’t let anything stop me from what I like doing.”
Trent Hamilton
During his three years in Kenora, Trent has become a pillar of the community and a proud ambassador for Safeway and Sobeys. Trent energetically supports his family, serves his customers and gives back to his community. He serves on the Kinsmen’s executive committee and supports many corporate events, including raising funds for hospital equipment, and coaches his kids’ hockey and baseball teams. “I love when I’m coaching and the parents call me Mr. Safeway,” says Trent. In 2017 Safeway was approached to provide a cake for the grand opening of the Trans Canada Trail. Not only did he provide the cake but also personally delivered treats for the games and water and ice. Trent’s boss says that Sobeys benefits greatly from having a Manager such as Trent in this community store. “He treats the store as if it were his home and the employees within like they are his family. I am so proud to have him in my District family.”
Marvin Iverson
Marv was instrumental in the success of Project New Horizon. For many, Marv was the voice of logistics and he became a subject matter expert on a wide variety of processes that needed to take place for each and every move. Marv’s level of understanding on so many details created a “one-stop shop” for many of the business partners. “Doing what you do well is how you get respect,” he says. Having such an opportunity has been a highlight of Marv’s career. “My proudest moment has been getting to work with such talented and dedicated people who strive to make our company the best it can be.” Nominating Marv as a Value Champion enabled his co-workers to thank him for his contributions but Marv is quick to return the compliment. “My Sobeys is a great Canadian company that has treated me well over the years,” says Marv. “Thank you!”
Harley Hunter
Harley always has his Sobeys teammates’ backs, both figuratively and literally. The operations trainer at Sobeys RSC in Whitby watches out for the safety of colleagues who do a lot of the heavy lifting to get product to retail clients quickly. “I noticed that a lot of individuals were placing product above their shoulders, which was going to lead to (more) injuries,” Harley explains. So he has voluntarily monitored the most difficult aisles, showing workers how to lift and position product properly. His mentorship has helped greatly decrease strains and sprains at the retail support centre. Mentoring individuals to become strong, self-confident workers is one of Harley’s favourite duties. “It was definitely rewarding.” He says one of the most important values of working with his Sobeys crew is loyalty. “I consider my training team to be family,” he says, and families “always have to have each other’s backs.”
Nancy Hudyma
Nancy Hudyma loves to “be the reason someone smiles.” From her workplace feedback, it seems she leaves smiles on faces everywhere she goes, both on and off the job. As the “go-to person” on site, Nancy’s duties range from receiving and shipping to transporting and tracking product, and a whole lot in between. One of her most memorable “go-to” moments happened following a major flood that devastated Alberta five years ago. She reached out to the iconic Bragg Creek Trading Post, which was situated on the Elbow River and had been completely “wiped out.” “It was my pleasure to help her restock her store,” she says. It’s that type of interaction that is most important to Nancy, particularly when it comes to her own Sobeys family members. “When one of us is in need, we rally together, we make food, we gather funds, whatever that person might need.”
Kevin Head
Making kids happy is what Kevin enjoys most about his job. “I get to put smiles on a lot of kids’ faces by providing them with birthday cakes and sweets and giving them that cookie every day they come in.” So when children aren’t able to have a sweet because of dietary restrictions, Kevin takes action and will always find an equally delicious substitute to the cookie. One mother was so impressed when Kevin found chocolate-dipped strawberries for her daughter, she posted this to the store’s Facebook page where it got more than 500 likes and over 50 shares. Kevin also gets involved with his community by building carnival games that non-profit organizations can use to raise money. “Our store means a lot to our community,” says Kevin. “The community never had a supermarket before we came and they are very proud of it and they feel like it’s theirs. When they come in, they feel like they are part of our family.”
Lorrie Harris
Late one day a customer was phoning around trying to arrange to have flowers delivered to a funeral that she could not attend due to illness. Calls placed to florists in town did not pan out, that is until they got Lorrie Harris on the line at Sobeys. “Talk about customer service,” the grateful customer wrote in a letter of thanks. “She went out of her way … to find the information and called the funeral home and came up with solutions for me. Thank you Lorrie for helping me in a tight situation!” The florist says it’s what she and her colleagues do every day. “It’s important for me that if somebody needs my help I’m going to do whatever I can to help them,” she says. “The customer is the most important.” Lorrie says you get to know your customers in a smaller community so she’s used to people reaching out for help. “I get a lot of phone calls at home,” she says with a laugh.
