The Save Mart Companies, TSMC, is celebrating its associate and Oakdale resident Kelsey Carter for her recognition as Progressive Grocer’s 2023 Top Women in Grocery Awardee. This prestigious annual award recognizes the integral role women play across all segments throughout the grocery industry.
As Transportation Director, Carter manages TSMC transportation departments in Merced, Lathrop, and Roseville to deliver products effectively and efficiently to its stores in California and Western Nevada daily. Carter successfully developed and implemented the JJ Keller Driver Training Program at Merced and Lathrop locations. In addition, she oversees the recruitment, development, and retention of associates, as well as developing staffing strategy and succession planning.
After graduating with an International Business degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Carter began her career at PepsiCo – Frito Lay in the field of manufacturing, becoming Kaizen Six Sigma and nationally Continuous Improvement certified. Carter joined TSMC in 2021 and lives with her family in Oakdale.
“The grocery industry is constantly moving and challenging us to perform at higher levels, an aspect I love,” said Carter. “To be able to strategize, innovate, and share a vision with like-minded individuals that are as invested as I am in achieving positive results provides me with great satisfaction.”
Additional TSMC associates who received Progressive Grocer’s 2023 Top Women in Grocery Award include Rosalind Campbell, Senior Manager In-Store Environment, and Cori Nobriga, Senior Category Manager Service Deli. All awardees were nominated for their above-and-beyond achievements between April 2022 and March 2023.
“These honorees have forged successful career paths at The Save Mart Companies, making significant contributions with their remarkable talents and skills and demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities,” said Shane Sampson, executive chairman of the board for The Save Mart Companies. “We are immensely proud of these three exceptional women who are an essential part of our company’s ongoing success.”
This is the 17th year for the food retailing industry’s longest running program recognizing and celebrating the accomplishment and contributions of thousands of women at all levels in the industry. Progressive Grocer presented the 2023 Top Women in Grocery in its June issue, devoted to showcasing overall excellence and continued achievement among female movers and shakers in the North American retail food industry.
The Save Mart Companies operates approximately 200 Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada. In addition to its retail operation, the Company also operates SMART Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries (“SSI”), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop, and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock.
