Wendy Hammonds, Foodstuffs North Island General Manager, People & Capability, has a multi-industry background, driven by her fascination with emerging industries and their challenges and opportunities.
Before joining Foodstuffs, Hammonds worked at Spark in both B2B and B2C roles. Before that, she held positions at Westpac and AMP Banking, and had also spent ten years in the United Kingdom working across a range of sectors.
While she already had experience in retail, grocery particularly appealed to her because of its fast pace and the everyday impact it has on people’s lives.
In an industry where products are often similar, it’s the people who truly make the difference.
The supermarket industry has a long history, and with Foodstuffs operating for more than 100 years, she mentioned being inspired by two distinct groups of people.
“The first are the innovators and disruptors: those who brought us PAK’nSAVE and Pams, and who dared to turn bold ideas into a major part of our success. They’re the people who see opportunities, dare to dream, and are brave enough to try,” said Hammonds.
“The second group are the tried-and-true retailers. They give everything to their customers, prioritise operational and retail excellence, and draw on deep, hard-earned experience. I value the time I spend with them; learning from the past, staying grounded, and keeping perspective as we think about the future.”
She added that while one group inspired you to dream big and be courageous, the other reminded you to focus on what truly matters, be practical, and keep it real. And she advised her younger self to be curious and ready for change, because at times it will come fast.
To others in the industry, her advice was simple: put the customer first, as she loved seeing exceptional talent grow and advance in their careers. In the supermarket industry, and particularly within the co-operative, the ownership element added a unique sense of magic.
“Dream big, but be factual and objective about your starting point as you explore your options. And collaborate. You shouldn’t believe everything you think, and progress is always faster when you move forward together.”
Looking ahead, she is excited to reshape how the co-op supports customers and team members amid global shifts. She said she felt that the world is on the precipice of significant change.
“I’m feeling curious, excited and a little scared, just the way I like it.”
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