For Manager of the Year Jamie Holbeck, she never gets tired of working alongside her team to meet the Flint, MI Save A Lot community’s needs. Her first job was at 16. She needed a way to pay for gas money and had planned to work part-time through high school. But the longer she worked in grocery stores, the more her passion for helping customers grew.
Before landing at the Flint, MI Save A Lot, owned by Kessel Enterprises, Holbeck worked at four other Save A Lot locations. What keeps her coming back day after day is the opportunity to meet new people and get to know them on a personal level. “Our customers here in the Flint, MI area are wonderful,” said Jamie Holbeck. “When folks come in, they know we will do what we can to get them the products they want. If we don’t carry it, we will do our best to see if we can. Their loyalty is really what makes this job so fulfilling.”
Another aspect of leading the Flint store that Holbeck appreciates is the challenge and variety that each day brings. There is never a dull moment. From setting up holiday displays to helping grow and invest in her team, Holbeck likes having a challenge to walk into each day. No two days are the same. One thing that she’s especially proud of is maintaining a collaborative culture among her team. She works to have each of her team know they are more than just co-workers; she wants them to feel like family. She does this by encouraging them to speak up about their ideas, ensuring they know they are a part of the store’s success. It’s because of that work that her team always gives their best, because they know Jamie will too. She loves earning their respect and trust every day.
For all Holbeck’s work fulfilling customer’s needs and keeping a can-do attitude, Kessel Enterprises invested in her success. During her time with the company, they awarded her a scholarship, which helped her achieve an undergraduate degree. Now, she uses her business and operational knowledge to elevate the shopping experience for her customers. She credits her robust career to Kessel Enterprises and Save A Lot. Just as Kessel Enterprises invested in her, Jamie will continue doing the same for her team and the communities their store serves.
“I love the variety that each day brings and working with my team to provide quality groceries to our customers,” she said. “I make sure they know the efforts they put into merchandising and interacting with shoppers is our way of helping the community. Each of our roles is important to the success of the store and people knowing they can rely on us to feed their families. This will always be a source of pride and motivation for me and my team.”