Countdown’s team has celebrated its annual Trade Show, Supplier Update and announced their Annual Awards winners.
The annual event is a chance for team to get together and learn about upcoming products and initiatives, network and meet suppliers, as well as visit the trade expo to sample the latest products about to hit stores.
Scott Davidson, Countdown’s General Manager Merchandise, says this year’s Trade Show has been a huge success and was a great opportunity to meet with suppliers and congratulate excellence within the industry.
“It’s great to take a moment out to meet and talk with suppliers about how we can work even closer and bring even more value to our customers,” says Scott Davidson. “We’ve got some exciting plans in place as we head into the busiest time of the year and it’s important that we recognise and reward excellence within our business.”
The complete list of winners is below:
Supreme Winner of the Year
Patoa Farms
Patoa Farms is a long term supplier to Countdown and has been integral in supplying free farmed pork to our Kiwi customers. Steve Sterne and the Patoa Farms team are collaborative, flexible, responsive to the market, and the changing needs of our customers.
Store Manager of the Year
Tanya Lawrence, Countdown Dinsdale
Countdown Category Manager of the Year
Nogo Falanitule, Liquor
Checkout Operator of the Year
Morsal Darwesh, Countdown Northlands
Online Personal Shopper of the Year
Kim Nicol, Countdown Bethlehem
Online Driver of the Year
Shakti Naravan, Countdown Grey Lynn
Forklift Driver of the Year
Shane Mohi, Palmerston North DC
Truck Driver of the Year
Aaron Mora, Halls Group Ltd
Produce Manager of the Year
Harvinder Singh
Produce Supplier of the Year
A S Wilcox
Fresh Meat & Seafood Supplier of the Year
Patoa Farms
Perishables & Delicatessen Supplier of the Year
Frucor Suntory
Bakery Supplier of the Year
George Weston Foods
Grocery – Cooking & Baking Supplier of the Year
Hutchinson Newco
Grocery – Breakfast & Snacking Supplier of the Year
Nestle
Grocery – Beverages Supplier of the Year
Coca Cola
Liquor Supplier of the Year
Villa Maria
Grocery Non Food & General Merchandise Supplier of the Year
Unilever
Own Brand Supplier of the Year
Mauri ANZ
New Product Development of the Year
Real Foods, for Remedy Kombucha
Account Manager of the Year 2018
Wade Knowles, NZ Bakels
Integrated Supplier Planner of the Year
Sarah Banbury, Kimberly Clark
