Scott Phillips’ path to his new role as vice president of retail technology at Associated Food Stores started the way many grocery careers do, pushing carts and bagging groceries as a teenager. For Scott, that happened at Lee’s Marketplace in Smithfield, Utah. He was 16 years old and working part-time. He didn’t expect it to turn into a long-term career, but strong mentors kept him there for eight years and eventually guided him to an assistant store manager role.
In 2013, he made the jump to Associated Food Stores and joined the retail technology team. He said that years working on the store floor set the foundation for everything that followed.
“It’s always been customer first, no matter the job,” he said. “If the people you are serving are happy, everything else falls into place.”
In his new position, Scott will help lead the technology efforts that support AFS retailers. He describes the work as making sure stores have the tools and backup they need to serve shoppers well. He has been part of several major projects over the years, including scheduling tools that use sales data, computer-assisted ordering to improve shelf availability and reduce shrink and electronic shelf labels that change the way stores manage pricing.
Technology in grocery has changed quickly since he began bagging groceries. Much of that shift, he said, is tied to mobile tools and real-time information. One example is the handheld Zebra device that many AFS stores now use for everything from checking inventory to linking digital shelf labels at the aisle.
Looking ahead, Scott said he is excited about what is next. “In IT, the biggest project 10 years from now might be something nobody has even thought of yet,” he said. “I am excited to see what is coming and how we can help stores keep their edge.”
His goals over the next year include bringing more tools such as DSD receiving, shrink tracking and inventory management to all AFS retailers, regardless of their size.
He encourages new team members to build relationships widely. “Every successful project crosses departments,” he said. “That is what ‘One Associated’ is all about.”
Scott said what sets AFS apart is the people who work there, many of whom come from retail themselves and understand the urgency of store life.
Away from work, Scott stays busy with his wife, Michelle, and their four children, ranging from 3 months to 11 years old. Much of their time is spent at tumbling gyms, football fields and lacrosse practices. During football season, he leaves work and heads straight to the field to coach his son’s team.
To unwind, the family often heads to the sand dunes to ride ATVs and camp, a tradition he has enjoyed since he was young. They try to take at least one long trailer trip each year, sometimes logging more than 1,000 miles.
Scott’s go-to comfort food is a good hamburger, with Freddy’s Steakburgers recently edging out longtime favorite In-N-Out. He is also a fan of Top Gun and enjoys watching F-35s fly overhead from nearby Hill Air Force Base.
“I love being the underdog,” he said. “And I have always loved the AFS story of coming together.”