After 20 years of dairy farming in the rural Bay of Plenty, Cliff McKenzie swapped share milking for supermarkets, leading to a career transformation with PAK’nSAVE.
In 2013, McKenzie took a bold step. He sold his dairy farm in Galatea to seek a fresh challenge in the supermarket sector.
Initially working at a local Four Square, he learned the ropes of the business, undertaking everything from customer service to stocking shelves and bookwork at the store.
Then, in 2018, he joined the team at PAK’nSAVE Rotorua, where he quickly demonstrated his passion for continuous improvement, leadership and customer service.
McKenzie has undertaken several roles at the store and is currently Grocery and Storeroom Manager, intending to own his store.
“Every day here is different, and that’s what I love about this industry. I’ve enjoyed making the most of the development opportunities provided by PAK’nSAVE,” said McKenzie.
“From management courses to hands-on experience, it’s all helping me work towards my long-term goal of store ownership.”
His daughter, Bailey, has been working as a duty manager at the store and is keen to go down the store ownership pathway.
Owner-operator Amanda Elliot has supported McKenzie’s development, recommending in-store experience across all departments and key management and leadership courses to prepare him for future opportunities.
“At PAK’nSAVE, we’re big on investing in our people, providing career pathways, and growing talent,” said Elliot.
“We want to see what’s possible for anyone with ambition and drive, and we work closely with our people to make sure they’re equipped with everything they need to achieve their goals.”
With 240 team members and a large volume of customers through the store daily, his dedication, work ethic, and innovation have impacted the Rotorua store.
McKenzie’s leadership has been instrumental in streamlining store operations, creating a stronger team, and improving the customer experience. His efforts have also extended to mentoring staff, implementing a 90-day training plan for new team members, and encouraging a culture of inclusivity and diversity.
“I would encourage anyone thinking about a career to look at Foodstuffs and PAK’nSAVE. If I had known what I know now about the pathways available in this industry, I would’ve started sooner.”
