Grocery Challenge Set To Test The Best Of The Best

Grocery Challenge Set To Test The Best Of The Best

The premium event in the grocery sector's professional development calendar is back. Heinz Wattie's, in association with Tegel Foods, has today launched the 13th annual Heinz Wattie's Grocery Challenge 2003 to test the skills, industry knowledge and professionalism of members of the grocery trade.

Testing up and coming grocery trade professionals will begin at a regional level and will be open to both head office and store level staff from all major supermarket banners. They will undertake a series of professional development challenges culminating in four finalists being chosen from each of the three regions - Upper North Island, Lower North Island and South Island. The 12 Regional Finalists face intensive assessment including a behavioural event interview, an Outward Bound experiential workshop and a self-prepared presentation to find the winners of the Heinz Wattie's Grocery Challenge 2003.

Heinz Wattie's Managing Director, Nigel Comer says the company's commitment to the challenge has only strengthened in the 13 years it's been running.

"The calibre of management within the FMCG sector, including food marketing and the grocery industry is often underestimated, so we want to raise awareness of the skill level in the industry with this year's high profile challenge."

"The grocery sector represents some of New Zealand's biggest companies and running an organisation, whether it be at head office or store level, requires a high degree of knowledge and business acumen."

The selection process guarantees impartial judging, as a panel of trade and industry experts makes the final decision. From an initial pool of 48 participants, there will be two major winners, one representing the head office level and the other from the store level. Each will receive $7,500 towards a development course in Australia and the winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner in May 2003.

Nominations for the first stage of the challenge are being called for now, and close on March 1st, 2003. All potential nominees are advised to contact their HR department for more information.

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