2023 Star Women in Convenience winner: Tammy Poirier

National account executive

Coca-Cola Canada

How did you get into this business? 

I have worked pretty much my entire career within the CPG industry. Although it was not my originally intended career path, I was immediately hooked by the excitement of building brands and the competitive nature of the business as well as the joy of watching consumers engage and experience emotional connections with your products.

What work-related accomplishment are you most proud of during the last 12-18 months?

I am super proud of the solid working relationships that I have built with my customers. We have evolved to a point where mutual trust and understanding are solidly built and we are now creating and trying new things, as well as taking risks within the business to net new and different results. My current customer has also been in a very large acquisition mode over the past 12-18 months, and I am proud about how I was able to help the organization transition and integrate the new accounts into the entire portfolio with minimal hiccups so that there was little to no disruptions to the business results or store operator experiences.

What's the best advice you ever received?

Come from a positive assumption. It is easy in our busy lives to read into people’s behaviours or emails or messages. I was advised to always look at the situation from a positive assumption first versus assuming the worst and reacting to that. 

What's your career highlight/biggest achievement?

I like to look at my career highlights or achievements as a sum of many pieces versus one large event. It is in the little things every day, learning from mistakes, taking risks, being fair and defendable and honest in my relationships and the knowing the results will follow. I am honoured at the accolades and 'Presidents Club Winner' awards, but my ability to always foster great working relationships with my customers and having their trust means the most.

Is there anything you think will shape the business in the next five years?

It is amazing to see the impact that social media/TikTok and influencers can have on purchasing behaviours and sales performance. Also, as new generations continue to enter the market, I ponder brand loyalties or how we speak to and engage our audiences in new and different ways. The value and emotional connections to purchases will play a huge role in the next three to five years. People will want to feel really good about what they spend their money on and where they spend it.