Jean-François Michaud
Now a part of the Sobeys family for almost 25 years, Jean-François Michaud started in a Sobeys distribution centre before he was quickly promoted to reception coordinator at the Sobeys distribution centre in Rivière-du-loup. He eventually made his way to the automated distribution centre in Terrebonne. He is always cheerful and respectful to his colleagues and the stakeholders he serves every day. “Whether for everyday tasks or so-called extra-special tasks, we can always count on him,” wrote his manager. With a reputation as a genuine, motivating and sincere person who knows how to be diplomatic, his employees appreciate that he will listen to them, give and take constructive feedback, and help them succeed together. Jean-François is proud to have helped Sobeys grow over the years. “I don’t know if I can say this,” he admits, but “it’s as if it were my baby and I have watched it grow.” He loves his Sobeys family and can’t imagine working anywhere else.
Jaclyn Mills
When Jackee Mills is most successful at her job, she’s creating more work for herself. As Assistant Store Manager, she trains new employees and teaches current employees their new tasks as they are promoted, and it’s what she loves most about her job. “I had no experience when I became a department manager at 18 years old; someone took a chance on me, so when I see others with potential and characteristics of a good leader I like to give them a chance and invest my time in seeing them grow,” said Jackee. “It’s challenging yet rewarding.” Two of Jackee’s trainees have moved on to become assistant managers, and she currently has a young staff with little retail background, and she’s open to the challenge. “Jaclyn is very good at building on people’s strengths and developing areas where she sees room for improvement,” said her manager. “She is dedicated to making sure people who want to succeed in the company have the skills and knowledge to do so.”
Antonio Misale
For 15 years, Tony Misale has been working for Sobeys in the replenishment team, and he feels that working honestly and ethically to help others is a big part of his job. As an example, he takes pleasure in going above and beyond to help charities. When a food bank had a fire and lost most of their community donations for the holidays, Tony was instrumental in helping the Stratford, ON, Sobeys store source overstock items for a donation, and managed to rush the shipment so they made it to the families in time. He has also found innovative ways to help charitable partners by using overstock supplies in the warehouses, a win-win situation for the communities and the company. “I think everybody in the replenishment team has the desire to help it’s our job to help.” Tony appreciates working at Sobeys, saying that he’s trusted to get the job done. “It’s a family, we all look out for each other. It’s a more relaxed atmosphere.”
Donald Mogus
After 45 years with Sobeys and Safeway, Don Mogus loves to be part of the community and his face is familiar to many shoppers in Saskatoon. One gentleman recently purchased a bottle of wine for Don and his wife after spotting them having dinner in a restaurant. The gift was a thank you for the chicken wing recipe Don had shared years before, and was a favourite the customer had been making ever since. “If you genuinely care about people, it shows,” said Don. “That’s who I am.” As the store lead for both Occupational Health and Safety and Food Safety, Don is passionate about making the store the best it can be. “You can hear in his voice how passionate he is about ensuring that everyone has a safe work environment,” wrote his colleague. “Always a positive attitude his coaching skills are amazing and I am so proud to say he’s part of our team.” “My motto is to work like I own the place,” said Don.
Graeme Ogilvie
Leading by example is on Graeme Ogilvie’s to-do list every day; if you’re looking for him at his Brampton, ON, store, you’ll find him on the floor helping a department that needs him. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do in my store, and my department managers do the same, it’s a trickle-down effect, he said. “When people are successful at their jobs they’re happier, and that’s a win for everyone.” As a part-time grocery clerk 21 years ago, Graeme couldn’t have imagined how much he’d learn about the grocery business with Sobeys, rising through the ranks at stores and travelling Ontario for head office before becoming a store manager. He says as a people person, “customer interactions, and managing and motivating the staff” are what he loves the most about the job, while also succeeding at meeting his store’s targets. Sobeys has also been beneficial for Chris personally; he met his wife through the company, and they now have two children together.
Cheryl Isnor
When Sobeys employees are going through a difficult time, Cheryl Isnor is the person they want in their corner. As the primary contact for anybody taking a disability or medical leave, she contacts each employee to walk them through the process to make a successful claim, and she also ensures everything is in order with their paperwork from their store. “Reaching out to our employees who aren’t well is important,” she said. “They are often scared and may not have been on a claim before, and I want to make sure they have the best experience. When you’re not well and not getting paid, that doesn’t help.” She takes pride in her work, and makes sure that employees are well looked after as part of a team from day one. “The first day is scary, and there’s so much to learn,” said Cheryl. “I tell them that they have come to a company that values their people; it’s part of a community that’s bigger than this office.”
Patrick Imbeault
For Patrick Imbeault, working as part of a team is the best part of the job at Sobeys, and he takes pride in going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure customers are happy. With his co-workers he loves working to overcome all the little challenges that come up every day. For him, it’s what makes his work exciting and fun. “The members of my team are part of my family,” Patrick said proudly. Whether he’s managing inventory for Sobeys, shooting hoops on the basketball court, scoring the winning goal in an amateur hockey game, or hitting a home run at the baseball diamond, Patrick is full of energy and drive and loves being part of a strong team. Patrick began working for Sobeys 18 years ago as a night inventory coordinator. “It was a very good experience and I learned a lot,” he said. For him, Sobeys is like a big family where he is always learning, always growing, all in the interest of serving other families.
Ian Hunter
While still a fairly new member of the Sobeys family, Ian Hunter already has loyal customers who appreciate his recommendations and advice. “He has a passion for craft beer, Scotch and a good bottle of wine,” wrote his manager, adding that Ian often brings in personal tasting notes from visits to breweries and distilleries for his colleagues. One customer will always choose a Scotch from his suggestions in the book if Ian isn’t there to guide his purchase. “I enjoy learning about the why’ beer, wine and spirits are created,” said Ian. “They tell a story and being able to pass on that information helps the customer learn as well.” Even though Ian is happy to learn more about his industry to increase sales, his proudest moment at Sobeys concerns a bottle of alcohol he didn’t sell. Seeing a customer struggling with an unwise purchase, he convinced her to put it back and instead gave her the address of a support group. “She is still going,” he said.
Christopher Howald
After almost 40 years in the grocery business, Chris Howald still loves interacting with customers, and he loves to exceed their expectations. “There’s nothing better than when they see something they weren’t expecting to find, and they’re very happy about that,” he said. He takes pride in coaching new hires, and loves to see them blossom into good employees who are engaged in their work. He advises everyone to “work hard, have fun, and come to work prepared to enjoy your job.” As a proud supporter of local businesses, Chris can often be found taking day trips with his wife to visit operations at local bakeries and farms with the hopes of finding new suppliers for his store. Community involvement is important at Chris’s Sobeys in Acton, with employees rallying together to support pajama drives, treats for toys, food drives, and a silent auction that raised $2,805 for the local high school. “My Sobeys is the centre of our community and the heart of my family,” said Chris.
Krystal Horudko
As a staff pharmacist, Krystal Horudko’s goal is to have the same close relationship with her patients that her grandmother had with her beloved pharmacist. She wants them to feel valued and confident that she has the best intentions for their care. “I like to give them service they’re not expecting. I like to be the reason people smile,” she said. One patient, who had been struggling with an ailment, was so impressed by the care she received from Krystal that she was compelled to write a letter singing her praises. “I was blown away that for one, she actually remembered me and two, she took the time out of her busy day to call and see how I was feeling and if the medication was working,” wrote Marla. “You need someone in your corner who you can rely on. I try to do that for all my customers,” said Krystal.
