Jamie Stoughton has spent more than a decade learning the grocery business from the inside out, building experience across several departments at Associated Food Stores before stepping into her newest role as the fresh department supervisor.
Jamie joined the company in 2014 in the shipping department, where she first learned how products move through the warehouse. She later moved into dispatch, supporting drivers and gaining a closer look at the logistics that keep deliveries on schedule.
After several years in dispatch, she returned to shipping for her first leadership opportunity as a lead. The role helped prepare her for the next step in her career as a supervisor in Fresh Sales, where she began working more closely with retail partners and expanding her understanding of the broader business.
“Each role has provided me with a different piece of the bigger picture,” Jamie said. “Together they’ve given me a well-rounded understanding of the full distribution process.”
Her time in shipping provided a foundation in warehouse operations and efficiency. In dispatch, she saw what happens after products leave the distribution center and learned the importance of timing, communication and problem solving. Her experience in customer service and sales added another perspective by helping her understand how products are ordered and how those decisions affect retailers and shoppers.
Now in her new role, Jamie describes her work as a connection point between retailers, vendors and internal teams.
“My job is to make sure our customers get the support they need,” she said. “Whether that means answering questions, solving issues, coordinating with other teams or helping ensure product flows smoothly from ordering all the way to delivery.”
Communication plays a central role in that work. Jamie said she aims to make sure everyone has the information they need so operations run efficiently and retailers have a dependable experience.
One of the accomplishments she is most proud of during her time at the company is building strong relationships with coworkers, retailers and vendors.
“I’ve become someone they trust to listen, follow through and find solutions,” she said.
Jamie said the grocery industry has changed significantly since she began her career. The supply chain now moves faster, with greater expectations for accuracy and communication.
“Retailers expect faster responses, customers want more transparency and technology continues to evolve to support those expectations,” she said. “It’s pushed me to be more efficient, more accurate and more proactive.”
Looking ahead, Jamie said she is focused on continuing to expand her knowledge so she can be a stronger resource for customers and colleagues. One of her goals over the next year is to improve communication and efficiency across departments by better understanding how each area affects the flow of product and the customer experience.
For employees just starting their careers at Associated Food Stores, she offers simple advice.
“Embrace change, stay curious and always look for ways to support both our team and our retail partners,” she said.
Jamie also credits the company’s culture as one of the reasons she has stayed for more than a decade.
“AFS is genuinely family-focused when it comes to supporting its employees,” she said. “At the same time, we’re very attentive to our retail partners and work hard to understand their needs and find meaningful solutions.”
Outside of work, Jamie enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband are raising three boys and recently welcomed a 2-year-old grandchild. The household also includes two Cavalier dogs.
She enjoys cooking and baking new recipes, hiking, attending the ballet and reading mysteries and leadership books. One title she frequently recommends is the leadership book It’s Your Ship, which she said helped shape her approach to leading teams.
Jamie’s first job came long before her career in grocery. At 15, she worked as a dishwasher at her aunt’s pizzeria. Even then, she said, she learned the value of teamwork and supporting the people around her.
Today, those same principles guide her work as she continues to grow within Associated Food Stores.