Since joining the industry at 18, Karen Kenny has almost four decades of experience in the FMCG and Grocery industry.
Her first role was at Gillette, where she worked in the sales department. Kenny said her sales manager was a great influence and encouraged her to keep progressing and learning. She said the lessons she learned at the start of her career are still relevant.
"Lead by example. I would never ask a team member to do anything I wouldn't be prepared to do myself," said Kenny.
"Encourage learning no matter what stage of life you are at, and keep learning."
Following her time at Gillette, Kenny joined Unifoods only a short time before it acquired Spaceman, where she was tasked with learning the programme and setting it up for the food division.
Over the next four years, Kenny took all Unifoods brands to category champion before being head-hunted to Wella to set up their space management department. Three years later, Kenny and her husband, Paul, set up a grocery brokerage, Kenny Marketing, in 1996.
During the early days of the brokerage, Kenny grew it from a desk at home and only two reps to a full-blown agency with a national team. Kenny Brokerage represented well-known brands such as RJ's Licorice, Mix Limited (now Essano), Simplot, Sunlight, and John West, to mention a few. Kenny and her husband sold the business in 2004 before relocating to the Gold Coast.
Kenny said it was important for her to work in various branches of the industry.
"My advice would be to experience as many roles within your company as possible, spread your knowledge far and wide so you don't limit your options later."
Karen Kenny and her husband moved back to New Zealand in 2012 and purchased Alliance Marketing, which saw her venture into FMCG and a Grocery Brokerage. She said that she feels privileged to lead her team.
"My amazing team treats our business like it's their own. They continue to delight and amaze me daily."
Celebrating her achievements makes all the hard work worthwhile. Kenny said that rewarding her staff for their achievements and her wonderful three children has continued to motivate her.
To read more about women in business, click here.
