Celebrating National Supermarket Employee Day: What it Means to be a Heinen’s Associate
You may know them by the infamous blue shirt they wear, by the friendly “hello” or “can I help you find something” they offer as you peruse the aisles or by their vast product knowledge and unending commitment to customer service. Each unique quality is a stone in the foundation of what it means to be a Heinen’s associate.
For more than 92 years, we have believed that you have to find the best to sell the best. We’ve searched far and wide to be the trusted family grocer that brings you the best product, but great product is only one half of the grocery shopping experience. The other half is people. The people who find the last missing item on your list, the people who wrap your seafood, or our butchers that help you find the perfect cut and the people who bag your groceries. Without great people, grocery shopping is just another unmemorable task on the to-do list.
This is why we believe that finding the best people is just as important finding the best product! Over the last nine decades, we have cultivated a team of associates that live the Heinen’s mission everyday. Some came to us in high school and stuck around for 40+ years, others worked previous jobs in the grocery retail industry and found their home at Heinen’s and others came to us out of a sheer passion and connection to Heinen’s values. No matter how they made their way into the Heinen’s blue shirt, each and every associate shares an undeniable commitment to providing a grocery shopping experience that leaves you feeling better than when you walked in the door.
Even amidst a year of hardship and uncertainty, our associates have stepped up to the plate to serve the community with composure, confidence and grace.
We are thrilled to honor our associates on National Supermarket Employee Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate them than through their own words. We asked a handful of Heinen’s associates why they love working for Heinen’s and their responses are a true testament to what it means to be #HeinensBlueShirtStrong.
“Working in the grocery industry for 30+ years has been more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. Whether its helping customers with their everyday shopping or helping them with some of their biggest, most important meals of the year, it means a lot to me. The dinner table has always been a very important place of gathering, which we need now more than ever. Whether it be with family or friends, we get to play a major part in that on a daily basis. I couldn’t be more proud to work for Heinen’s. There is a reason we have been around for 90+ years and will be around for many, many more. Its about caring which starts with our associates and is passed on to our thousands of dedicated and devoted customers!” – Josh C., Heinen’s Downtown Cleveland
“The reason I love working at Heinen’s is the fact that it is family owned. With that comes a sense of pride, loyalty and a dedication to the Heinen’s family. I love working for a company that represents the Midwestern values of honesty and respect. There is a true bond between the associates and the neighboring communities that we serve. We want to create an experience for our customers in which they feel welcomed and enjoy shopping with us as much as we enjoy fulfilling their needs.” – Eric L., Heinen’s Pepper Pike
“Heinen’s is family, it’s our village. We truly care about each other’s wellbeing and the wellbeing of our customers. When things got tough this past year, we just worked harder to keep the people that we care about safe.” – Gee M., Heinen’s University Heights
“Working for Heinen’s has given me many memorable moments. From my awesome coworkers, great manager and the fun customers, this has been a wonderful place to work. A phrase that I always use is ‘Heinen’s is bigger than groceries, its family.’ We will continue our part in the community by providing groceries and smiles! – Dom N., Heinen’s Downtown Cleveland
“I love being a Heinen’s associate because of the relationships I have made with both fellow associates and customers. I love working for a company that values me as an individual, not just as a number — a company that values my personal time and family and allows a good balance between work and life.” – Bill K., Produce Associate at Multiple Locations
“As a Wellness Consultant, I am passionate about wellness and very much enjoy inspiring others to make better health choices to feel good and be in better health. I love engaging with customers, answering their questions and get excited when they are ready and willing to make changes and come to us for support, education and resources. It makes me feel good to know that something I did or said made a significant difference in someone’s day or life journey. That’s just part of my work and what I am here to do!” – Andrea S., Heinen’s Pepper Pike
“I love being able to learn and share where our food comes from. Throughout my 16 years at Heinen’s, I’ve had many conversations with customers and associates about sourcing and different foods we like to cook. Not only has that expanded my own culinary knowledge, it also has led to new friendships, and really good meals!” – Joe P., Heinen’s Downtown Cleveland
“Having worked at another family owned grocer, I knew my decision to come to Heinen’s was the best one. I like the company culture and enjoy working with everyone as a team.” – Milly S., Heinen’s Pepper Pike
“I have had the great fortune of working for Heinen’s for over 21 years, and the relationships that I have built here, both professionally and personally, will last a lifetime! Tom and Jeff Heinen have created a culture, and continued a legacy, of excellence that makes me proud to be an associate. I will forever be one of their biggest cheerleaders! It truly is a wonderful place to work.” – Shannon W., Heinen’s Chagrin Falls
