Supporting Supplier Growth: A Closer Look at KeHE’s Supplier Manager Team
In today’s dynamic grocery industry, suppliers face more complexity than ever. From navigating retail requirements to getting on store shelves and understanding data, the path to sustainable growth can feel overwhelming and out of reach, especially for emerging brands. That’s where KeHE’s Supplier Managers come in.
Supplier Managers serve as trusted guides and advocates for brands. By solving operational challenges and improving the ease of doing business, Supplier Managers play a key role in strengthening relationships across KeHE’s supplier community and support a more seamless journey from supplier to shelf to reach consumers nationwide.
We sat down with Emma Wozniak, Director, Supplier Management at KeHE, to talk about what the role looks like in practice, how she supports supplier success, and what she finds most meaningful about the work.
Q: How would you describe the role of a Supplier Manager at KeHE?
A: The role of the Supplier Manager is to support our supplier community through everything from contract negotiations and deduction disputes to compliance and inbound supply chain. Our goal is to improve a supplier’s ease, cost, and speed of doing business with KeHE. We do this by creating meaningful partnerships built on communication and education, so suppliers understand the “why” behind our processes and are guided toward better outcomes.
Q: What does a typical day (or week) look like as a Supplier Manager?
A: No two days look the same. Priorities shift based on supplier needs and company priorities. The core of our work is driving improvement in supplier experience while working towards metrics that allow KeHE to keep servicing our mutual customers. We’re constantly balancing proactive improvement with timely support.
Q: What makes you excited to do the work that you do
A: Working with suppliers who are new to distribution or still learning how the industry works is incredibly fulfilling. I love being able to educate and help simplify what can often feel like a very complex business. Collaborating to solve challenges and celebrating supplier wins are the moments that make this work so rewarding.
Q: Do you have any memorable stories of helping suppliers succeed that you’re proud of?
A: There have been many over the last eight years! One I’ll never forget involved a small supplier—a husband-and-wife team—who were brought to tears on a call after I spent over an hour walking them through their financial account and contract. Seeing their relief and gratitude was unforgettable.
Q: How do you stay ahead of changing consumer preferences and the larger grocery landscape?
A: I stay plugged into CPG industry news, stay closely connected with our Category Manager team, and never stop asking questions. Curiosity goes a long way in this role.
Q: How do you help suppliers navigate trends, consumer preferences, and category data?
A: Navigating trends, consumer preferences, and category data is a shared responsibility across the entire KeHE team to better position suppliers for success. Even when we aren’t the ones pulling the data, all Category and Supplier Managers are equipped to guide suppliers on how to think about it and where to find the right insights.
Q: What’s something suppliers might not realize about what you do, but should?
A: Everyone on the KeHE team truly wants to equip suppliers with the tools and insights they need to be successful in a rapidly changing industry. The role can be challenging because there are so many moving parts, but at the end of the day, it’s very rewarding. Many of the Supplier Managers have deep industry insights and have been in our roles with KeHE for many years. What keeps us here is the desire to support suppliers and drive mutual success.
Q: What does a successful Supplier Manager and Supplier relationship look like?
A: Success starts with trust. A supplier should feel heard, supported, and confident that their Supplier Manager is transparent and responsive. They should feel comfortable coming to us with questions or concerns and know that we’ll either help them directly or connect them with the right people. Above all, I hope our community sees the Supplier Manager team as advocates for their business.
In a fast-paced industry, Supplier Managers play a vital role in helping brands operate smoothly and succeed within KeHE’s ecosystem. By providing guidance and advocating for partners, they are key to strengthening supplier relationships and supporting better outcomes for retailers and consumers alike.
To learn more about KeHE and how it helps suppliers bridge the gap between navigating the industry and sustainable success, visit kehe.com/about.
