KeHE Unwrapped: Oscar Hernandez
At KeHE®, we’re proud to spotlight team members who bring passion, expertise, and care to our community. This month, we’re featuring Oscar Hernandez, Senior Manager, Inventory Control and Quality Assurance, based in Romeoville, IL. Over the past 12 years, Oscar has embraced new challenges, contributed to meaningful change, and built connections that continue to shape his career and the company.
Q: What inspired you to join KeHE, and what was your first impression of the company?
A: I joined the Romeoville DC team because I felt I could leave a lasting impact by bringing a fresh approach to solving operational challenges. That’s something I still get to do in every role I’ve had since joining KeHE. From the beginning, it was clear the company valued its people tremendously. The Romeoville DC has some of the most tenured associates in the company — many with 30+ years at KeHE. Their respect and admiration for their workplace was unlike anything I had seen before. It was clear to me that KeHE is a special place made up of great, hard-working people.
Q: How has your role evolved during your time at KeHE, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
A: I started as an Inbound Manager, where I gained a deep understanding of how our hourly associates perform their jobs and the challenges they face each day. From there, I moved into Inventory Management and NTS program design work. One key lesson I’ve learned is that by understanding how errors happen from the user perspective, we can create tools and programs that are intuitive and easy to use — helping our warehouse teams get it right every time.
Q: Can you share a standout memory or experience at KeHE that holds a special meaning for you?
A: A very meaningful experience for me was participating in a Serving Trip to Honduras in November of last year. I met some of the most caring people I’ve ever encountered at Mission Lazarus and saw firsthand the impact they have on others’ lives. It reminded me how the human spirit cannot be defeated when we care for one another and hold on to faith — even in the most challenging circumstances.
Q: What opportunities have helped you grow personally and professionally during your time at KeHE?
A: My opportunity to work for Jon Mollman as Regional Director of Project Management was a true breakthrough in my career. I was able to network across many KeHE departments, gaining a deeper understanding of how our business operates. I also built skills in data analysis and learned how to use information to improve the business. Most importantly, Jon modeled what it means to be a genuine, caring leader who puts people before problems. It was an honor to work for him, and I strive to have the same kind of impact every day.
Q: What changes at KeHE have made the biggest impact on you, your work, or the company culture?
A: Over the past few years, KeHE has placed a stronger focus on improving order quality for our customers. That shift opened the door for me to contribute to NTS program development and design. My time in Romeoville prepared me for this work, and today I focus on improving the warehouse user experience so tasks are easier and more efficient for our teams.
Q: How have your colleagues and the KeHE community shaped your experience?
A: When I think back, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the colleagues who helped me learn the business early on. Now, I do my best to pay it forward by teaching, mentoring, and creating opportunities to share ideas across our network. One of the best parts of KeHE is our community of people in the DCs who are always willing to support one another and share best practices.
To learn more about KeHE, please visit https://www.kehe.com/about/. Looking to join KeHE? Visit https://careers.kehe.com.
