Left to right: Tom Stenzel with United Fresh, Lisa Overman with Dole, and Robin Manwaring and Jeff Cady with Tops. Dole is the sponsor of the United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. (Photo courtesy of Tops)
Tops Friendly Markets recently celebrated produce manager Robin Manwaring for being selected by United Fresh as one of its 25 retail produce manager award winners for 2019.
Manwaring has been in the industry 38 years and called the award the highlight of her career, according to a news release.
Jeff Cady, director of produce and floral for Tops, describes Manwaring as someone who sets the standard for how to run a department.
“Just a great person who will constructively communicate issues and opportunities — I think that’s always great when someone can positively communicate things to you for the betterment of the department,” Cady said. “You walk into the department ... it’s in great shape, things are touched, organized, there’s a plan, her team is engaged.
“She has a really good game plan,” Cady said. “She’s able to plug people in and get them up to speed, and you can just see it because it’s all the time.”
Tops has had several produce managers recognized over the years, and Cady — who is also the chairman of the United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board — said he loves the program.
“I think it validates and adds some credibility to a position that really is ... it’s very challenging,” Cady said. “You have to have a lot of tools in the toolbox.”
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