Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025) Magazine - Flipbook - Page 58
58
( 2025 )
SPONSOR CONTENT
Sobeys believes in empowering teammates to realize their potential
B
iviana Sanchez’s journey
from a newly-arrived
immigrant in Canada to a
store manager at a Safeway
in Calgary exemplifies how grocery
retailer Sobeys Inc. nurtures talent
through internal development at its
Canada-wide store network.
When Sanchez emigrated from
Colombia, she was 23 years old, had
two little girls, was just learning to
speak English and she and her husband had limited work experience.
But Sanchez was intrigued by the
idea of applying for a job at the local
Safeway, one of Empire Company
Limited’s banners which also include
Sobeys, IGA, Thrifty Foods, FreshCo,
Foodland, Lawtons Drugs, Voilà,
Longo’s and Farm Boy.
“It was wonderful to see that a
big company like this gives us
an opportunity to start our life
with nothing, because I had
nothing at that moment.”
— Biviana Sanchez
Store Manager, Calgary
“I had a job as a cleaner, and
every time I passed a Safeway store
I would see the sign, and I would
always say, ‘oh my God, how will
it be to go in there and apply for a
job?’” Sanchez says.
It took her six months to muster
the courage to give it a try. The hiring
manager was very welcoming, and
after passing a test, she was hired.
“I felt I got the support I needed
right at that moment and I decided,
‘I’m going to have a career in this
company,’” Sanchez recalls. “It was
wonderful to see that a big company
like this gives us an opportunity to
start our life with nothing, because I
had nothing at that moment.”
In 2007, Sanchez began her career
as a cashier at Safeway, and with
hard work and company support,
she rose through the ranks. By 2009
she had refined her English, gained
confidence and advanced to grocery
clerk.
After gaining the required skills,
Sanchez became a management
trainee in 2013, was promoted to
second assistant store manager,
followed by assistant store manager.
Then, with advanced management
training through Sobeys’ Nourish
U program, she became a store
manager in 2019.
After 18 years, Sanchez says she
has worked in every part of Safeway’s
operations except the meat department. Her positive experiences have
encouraged her to support and pass
on her knowledge to the employees
who report to her.
“I have had lots of opportunities to
learn,” Sanchez says. “So right now
I feel I am able to teach and coach
new teammates and share what I
learned.”
Sandra Pasquini, senior vice
president human resources operations, says Sanchez’s experience
demonstrates the power of Sobey
Inc.’s employee-value proposition.
“Our teammate value proposition
is grounded in our purpose and values, with a commitment to creating
a special place to work, fostering a
supportive environment for growth,
and offering opportunities for
purposeful work,” Pasquini says.
“We invest in career and personal
development because we are committed to growing talent from within
Biviana Sanchez, store manager (left), and Sandra Pasquini, senior
vice president human resources operations, at Sobeys.
– providing people the opportunity
to have impact and build a rewarding
career.”
Sobeys Inc. invests in educational
programs and mentorship to prepare
its leaders for career-advancement,
Pasquini says. In turn, leaders are responsible for meeting specific goals,
such as integrating the principles of
diversity, equity and inclusion into
business priorities.
One of Sanchez’s areas of focus is
to use her position to support women in the industry, leading others
to find their full potential. As part
of that ambition, she became active
37%
women at the senior
leadership level
Empowering our Teammates
from Coast to Coast.
in the Women’s Inclusion Network
(WIN) – which provides development and networking opportunities
to women in the company – as a
participant, mentor and program
contributor.
Sanchez is advancing her career
in other ways as well, and recently
began to look into the possibility of
becoming a Sobeys Inc. franchise
owner.
Her reasons for sticking with
Sobeys Inc. are clear: “It’s the doors
they open for so many people,” she
says. “It makes you feel good to work
for a company like that.” ¢
400+
food banks supported last year
