Food City has two ‘Top Women in Grocery’

Betsi JamesOur Town Eats

Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery initiative recognizes the important role that women play in the food and grocery industry. Two Food City women grocers are named among this year’s top winners – Molly Austin, front-end operations special projects manager, and Amanda Gulley, store manager.

“I would like to congratulate Molly and Amanda on this well-deserved honor and all of their hard work and achievements. We are extremely proud of all of our women grocers and the key role they play within our company, the industry and the communities we serve,” said Steve Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

Progressive Grocer receives hundreds of nominations from women grocers in all sectors of the industry across the nation. This year’s winners were showcased in its June issue and will also be recognized in November at its annual awards gala in Orlando.

Molly Austin is responsible for developing and executing initiatives that directly impact the company’s front-end operations, with a goal of reducing operational costs and increasing efficiencies and productivity without compromising customer service. She is also responsible for researching emerging and evolving technologies and processes, calculating their ROI, conducting field tests, developing training materials and implementation processes for adopted initiatives, and ensuring their successful financial results. Having worked her way up the ranks, she is well versed in all aspects of the business and is one of the company’s most admired and respected associates.

Amanda Gulley manages Food City’s Sandstone Drive location in Morristown. Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, Gulley and her team have achieved record results over the past two years. A number of her initiatives were adopted companywide. Gulley serves as an instructor for the company’s Performance Skills for Effective Management training program for department heads and assistant store managers. She also serves as a district training manager for assistant managers enrolled in the company’s comprehensive 16-week training program and as back-up for her district manager. Gulley’s store was voted the 2021 People’s Choice by the citizens of Hamblen County.

Paralyzed Veterans of America campaign is underway and will run through July 26. Richard Petty is spokesperson for the fundraiser. Paralyzed Veterans of America – the nation’s premier nonprofit for disabled veterans, their families and caregivers, will receive 100 percent of funds donated at checkout by Food City customers.

Customers can select between $1, $3 and $5 donations at any Food City checkout and their gift amount will be added to their order total. The initiative will span across all Food City stores across the Southeast. Last year Food City customers and associates raised over $510,000 for PVA.

Jobs, jobs, jobs: Food City continues to hire for full- or part-time jobs, entry-level or skilled positions. Interested candidates can apply online at FoodCity.com or visit any Food City store to complete an application.

Betsi James is special events manager for Food City’s Knoxville and Chattanooga divisions.

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