In an effort to attract the most qualified job candidates, specialty food producers and retailers are offering competitive pay, generous benefits, and special perks.
Specialty Food asked two food makers and a retailer how they draw potential employees and keep them engaged, once hired. They represent York, Maine-based specialty food and home goods producer, Stonewall Kitchen; family owned and operated Nugget Markets, a Woodland, Calif.-based specialty retailer; and Torani, a San Francisco-based B Corp. that produces syrups, sauces, and other specialty products.
Q: What benefits does your company offer to attract and retain top talent?
Sharon Decato, vice president of human resources, Stonewall Kitchen
For any business to be successful, a company should always value and prioritize who makes that happen: the employees. As a leader in our industry we want to offer competitive benefits to attract the best talent in their respective fields. We’ve created an attractive benefits package for candidates’ consideration because we know that while we interview candidates, they are also interviewing us.
This is a really tough job market so we have to have exceptional benefits and incentives, job flexibility, growth opportunities, and a structured but fun work culture. These are all points of consideration when thinking about the hiring and retention of employees. The benefits we offer are designed so that our employees feel secure in aspects of their life that are most important. We offer excellent medical insurance with a substantial company contribution, paid time off, company paid short-term and long-term disability, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, and voluntary dental and life insurance along with a vision plan and a flexible spending account.
We understand that many employers offer those benefits so to differentiate Stonewall Kitchen from other companies, we take it up a notch with a great employee discount program, daily freebie offerings, a FRESK (Fun, Recreational Events at Stonewall Kitchen) program and a discounted health club membership. But what really differentiates us is our company culture. Our five core values speak volumes about the culture and what it’s like to work at Stonewall Kitchen—they are more than a sign on the wall. Every performance review for every employee includes an evaluation of values; Passion, Creativity & Innovation, Community, Quality & Integrity, and Respect. Community, for example, is something we live, breathe, and continually nurture and that includes our internal community (the employees) and our local communities.
Our employees are the reason for our casual, fun, family-feel environment. We’re passionate professionals who work really hard but are always up for a good time! Yes, it’s important to offer the health and financial benefits that candidates are looking for but it’s just as important, if not more, to establish and maintain a company culture that makes your employees want to go to work every day rather than having to go.
Gregory Di Dio, human resources, Nugget Markets
At Nugget Markets, our world-class team truly sets us apart, which is why it’s so important to us to create a company culture where our associates feel supported, valued, and encouraged. The better we take care of our in-store family, the better we can take care of our guests and communities.
One of the biggest points of difference Nugget Markets offers in terms of benefits is our comprehensive health insurance. Associates don’t have to pay a premium cost, and even part timers who work at least 22 hours a week are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage. Beyond that, our 401(k) profit sharing plan includes a company match and profit-sharing contribution.
As well as offering foundational benefits like paid time off, vacation, and associate discounts, we also pride ourselves on having industry-leading wages. From entry level roles to highly experienced careers, we make a point to offer both competitive pay and plenty of opportunities for advancement along the way.
As a company, we live and breathe by constant improvement and encourage our associates to grow and develop, too. Along with offering flexible work schedules, on-the-job training, mentoring programs, and classes, we also give out 12 scholarships every year to associates or their dependents for pursuing higher education. Things like that are why we’ve earned a place on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list for 15 consecutive years.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fun! We have a natural joy in our company and we do our best to foster that special, dynamic feeling with store celebrations, cash prizes, companywide trips, and other great perks.
Melanie Dulbecco, CEO, Torani
Torani is dedicated to helping all the people, partners, and communities we touch, thrive.
We believe that everything starts with people and that businesses can, and should, create more opportunities for people. We care deeply about providing our team members with opportunities to learn and grow both inside and outside of their work lives. Among our most important benefits for team members are people development practices that we call Contribution Management and Career Mixology.
Torani’s Contribution Management approach focuses on individuals owning their own development with their manager’s guidance and support. Individuals outline what they will contribute to future company success, and consider how to learn, develop, and grow their contribution. Unlike 20th-century performance management systems (including performance appraisals), the contribution approach focuses much more on individual development.
We also love Career Mixology, a framework that encourages cross-discipline learning and role switches, thus flexing growth mindsets, diversifying skill sets, and refreshing individuals. For example, a person working in production may move over to customer service or marketing to expand their learning and career possibilities.
People want their work to be purposeful and to open pathways to opportunity. Contribution Management and Career Mixology are two of the frameworks that unleash talented people, inspire personal development, and help drive business innovation and growth.
Julie Gallagher is managing editor of Specialty Food.
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