Associated Retail Operations (ARO) has named Jackie Lancaster as its new Lead Center Store Operations Specialist, expanding her responsibilities while continuing her work supporting store teams across the organization.
Jackie joined ARO through the Albertsons acquisition as an assistant store director and has steadily advanced through the company. Over the years, she has served as a GM manager, grocery manager and store director before moving into a center store operations specialist role. Each position, she said, provided valuable experience that prepared her for this next step.
In her new role, Jackie will continue working closely with general merchandise leaders, grocery teams, assistant store directors and store directors to help ensure programs are executed effectively and store conditions meet expectations. She also focuses on coaching and developing team members and helping equip teams with the tools and knowledge needed to run their departments successfully.
“I work with our teams to ensure programs are followed and help where needed,” Jackie said. “A big part of my role is teaching and coaching team members so they can do their jobs as effectively as possible.”
Jackie said she is motivated by the constant evolution of the grocery industry, noting that innovation and changing customer needs keep the work engaging.
“We are never stagnant or status quo,” she said.
Among her proudest accomplishments are the teams she has helped develop. As a store director, she led multiple locations and worked with team members who later advanced within the company. In her operations role, she has continued to see colleagues grow into new opportunities.
Looking ahead, Jackie said her focus will include supporting a store remodel and a new store build, with an emphasis on delivering strong grand openings and strengthening center store performance. She also plans to help grow the business alongside Associated Food Stores’ (AFS) new UNFI partnership.
Despite the added responsibilities, Jackie said she is excited that much of her day-to-day work will remain familiar.
“I still get to work with the same great people and do the same great things,” she said.
Jackie describes AFS as a company that combines scale with a strong sense of community.
“It is big but small,” she said. “You feel heard, and that makes a difference.”
Outside of work, Jackie enjoys spending time with family. Her parents live near Boise, Idaho, while her siblings remain in Southern California. She moved to Utah during her senior year of high school and chose to stay after graduating college.
She recharges by visiting her parents a few times a year and enjoys simple comforts, including one of her favorite foods: potatoes in nearly any form.
Jackie began her career in grocery as a courtesy clerk and encourages others starting out to stay committed to the industry.
“Grocery is really a great business,” she said. “It is difficult yet fun, never boring, and it is rewarding work. You can go far if you hang out long enough.”
“Jackie is one of the hardest-working people I’ve had the chance to work with,” said Mike Cameron, center store sales manager. “She’s really good at what she does and brings a level of consistency that you can count on. She’s also a great team player. She’s always willing to jump in, help out and share what she knows. At the same time, she’s not going to let things slide. She’ll speak up, set clear expectations and make sure things are done right. That balance is a big part of what makes her such a strong leader.”