At a young age, Regina Huang, Foodstuffs North Island Commercial Buying Manager, asked herself a simple question: What do people need every single day? She came up with two answers, banking and FMCG.
From there, the decision felt clear. She had always been passionate about food and was naturally drawn to fast-paced environments.
“Grocery sits at the centre of everyday life. It’s constant, dynamic and directly connected to households. That combination of relevance and pace really appealed to me,” said Huang.
Huang’s career began in trade finance, building a strong foundation in understanding how numbers drive performance. She then moved into category and account management roles on the supplier side, taking on increasing responsibility for pricing, joint business planning, and commercial negotiations.
Later, she transitioned to retail, specialising in commercial buying. Having worked across both supplier and retailer environments has given her a broader perspective on how the system works.
Now working at Fresh, Huang said the pace is even faster because decisions are influenced by many moving parts, from supply conditions to weather, which require agility and clear thinking.
She has been fortunate to work with many strong leaders over the years, most of whom combine commercial discipline with genuine empathy. They know their numbers, prepare thoroughly and remain calm in difficult situations. At the same time, they challenge their teams to perform at their best while creating an environment of trust and support.
For her, that balance defines real leadership. She said that although strong results matter, sustainable performance comes from building capable, confident people who feel both stretched and supported.
“Early on, I put a lot of pressure on myself to get everything exactly right. Over time, I realised that preparation gives you the confidence to speak. You don’t need to know everything; you need to be willing to keep improving,” said Huang.
“I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything. It comes from doing the work, staying curious, and trusting the growth along the way.”
She added that every tough conversation and setback has shaped how she leads today.
Every position has stretched and deepened her understanding of commerce. She has always set high expectations for herself, and there’s a real sense of accomplishment in meeting and exceeding targets, knowing the results were earned.
Huang remains motivated, knowing that her work reaches homes across New Zealand, which gives the role real meaning and encourages her to approach decisions with care and responsibility.
“As a working parent, I’m especially aware of how important reliability and value can be to everyday households.”
Discover the stories of more women in business here
