Leading Female Store Managers in the Grocery Sector of 2025

Top Grocery Store Managers Shine in 2024

In the world of grocery retail, exceptional performance is the name of the game. This year, several standout managers have proven their mettle, delivering impressive results across various stores. Here are some of the stories that have caught our attention.

Christian Dendy, Food Lion Store #0575, Elizabeth City, NC

Christian Dendy, the Store Manager at Food Lion Store #0575, has motivated her team to deliver outstanding e-commerce service through Food Lion To Go, resulting in an improvement of more than 11%. Her dedication to customer service and operational efficiency has made her a beacon of success in the industry.

Tamantha Nemeth, Giant Eagle Store #0060, Monroeville, PA

Tamantha Nemeth, the Store Leader at Giant Eagle Store #0060, has been chosen to pilot a new shrink initiative/theft reduction initiative for the company. Her financial acumen and commitment to the community have made her a valuable asset to the company and her local area.

Dalene Bonham, Martin's Store #6297, La Vale, MD

Dalene Bonham, the Store Manager at Martin's Store #6297, has led her store to an impressive turnaround in sales, achieving a 405-basis-point improvement over the previous year. Her strategic leadership and dedication to her team have resulted in a 1.93% increase in 2024 ID sales versus a decline of 2.15% in 2023.

Erica Little, Jewel-Osco Store #3181, Chicago

Erica Little, the Store Director at Jewel-Osco Store #3181, has driven up average weekly sales and grown EBITDA by 94 basis points year over year. Her focus on customer service, team development, and operational efficiency has made her a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

And many more…

The list of outstanding managers goes on, with honourees such as Michelle Valdez, Jennifer Harlan, Sheronda Irick, Tiffany Foley, Robin Clavelle-Wright, Maria Bowman, Lavee Steblay, Nycke Bozilovic, Erma Vazquez, Robin Clark, Kristina Hale, Christine Gallegos Barba, Lucy Endres, Rama Diallo, Joanna Renzulli, Kathy Cassels, Erma Vazquez, Jessica Lees, Katrina Goff, Robyn Lilleberg, Raquel Welch, Season Amador, Tracy Hoadley, Jaylan Polk, Lindsey Flanigan, Hope Starrett, Tamantha Nemeth, Elizabeth Duke, Thayalini Pathinathan, Lindsey Flanigan, Maryann Holton, Amy Stainbrook, Jennifer Jagneaux, Hope Starrett, Jennifer Harlan, Lynn Ernesty, Nicole Goins, Carissa Ford-Howard, and Amber Krantz all making significant contributions to their respective stores.

The Store Manager Honorees recognised by Progressive Grocer's 2025 Top Women in Grocery awards program include Hannah Smith and Shannon Finch from Food City.

Hannah Smith, the director of front-end operations for Food City's 160 retail locations and 127 fuel centers, focuses on front-end supervision, collaboration among departments, and improving customer service efficiency. She is also a member of Food City’s Empower Professional Women’s Group and has completed the Cornell NGA Executive Leadership Development Program, exemplifying leadership in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Shannon Finch, the director of procurement, manages dry grocery, frozen foods, dairy, and food service operations. She oversees product safety, vendor collaboration, and special orders for nonprofits. Finch notably led her team with dedication during Hurricane Helene in 2024, securing essential supplies and ensuring community needs were met during the crisis.

The Progressive Grocer's 2025 Top Women in Grocery awards program recognises women across all sectors of the North American food retail and grocery industries. The honourees' stories are a testament to their commitment to excellence, customer service, and community involvement.

Outstanding performance is the key to success in the grocery retail industry, as demonstrated by several standout managers in 2024.
Christian Dendy's dedication to customer service and operational efficiency has made her a beacon of success at Food Lion Store #0575.
Tamantha Nemeth's financial acumen and commitment to the community have made her a valuable asset to Giant Eagle Store #0060 and her local area.
Dalene Bonham's strategic leadership and dedication to her team have resulted in a significant turnaround in sales at Martin's Store #6297.
Erica Little's focus on customer service, team development, and operational efficiency has made her a force to be reckoned with at Jewel-Osco Store #3181.
Michelle Valdez, Jennifer Harlan, Sheronda Irick, Tiffany Foley, Robin Clavelle-Wright, Maria Bowman, Lavee Steblay, Nycke Bozilovic, Erma Vazquez, Robin Clark, Kristina Hale, Christine Gallegos Barba, Lucy Endres, Rama Diallo, Joanna Renzulli, Kathy Cassels, and many others have made significant contributions to their respective stores.
Hannah Smith focuses on front-end supervision, collaboration among departments, and improving customer service efficiency at Food City.
Shannon Finch manages product safety, vendor collaboration, and special orders for nonprofits at Food City and led her team with dedication during Hurricane Helene in 2024.
The Progressive Grocer's 2025 Top Women in Grocery awards program honors women across all sectors of the North American food retail and grocery industries.
The honourees' stories are a testament to their commitment to excellence, customer service, and community involvement.
The world of grocery retail thrives on exceptional performance and dedication to customer service.
Food safety is a critical aspect of managing a successful grocery store.
Finance plays a significant role in making important decisions for grocery stores and entrepreneurs.
Leadership skills are essential for driving sales and managing a team effectively.
Diversity and inclusion are important values for fostering a productive and harmonious work environment.
Cybersecurity is crucial in protecting sensitive customer and financial data.
Lifestyle, fashion, and beauty sectors offer a wealth of opportunities for growth and innovation in grocery retail.
The food and drink industry presents numerous avenues for expanding product offerings and attracting new customers.
Small businesses must carefully manage their finances and invest wisely to ensure long-term growth and success.
Wealth management and budgeting are crucial for protecting and growing personal assets.
Home and garden products present a valuable niche market for grocery retailers to tap into.
Careers in grocery retail offer a wide range of opportunities for professional development and advancement.
Venture capital and private equity can provide essential funding for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Real estate, stock market, and car maintenance investments require careful research and strategic planning for the best returns.