2024 Private Label Hall of Fame: Jac Ross of Sprouts Farmers Market
Sixteen leaders from the world of private brands were recently honored as the newest inductees to the Private Label Hall of Fame during a ceremony held during the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Tex. Members of the Class of 2024 are a combination of long-time leaders and up-and-coming visionaries who have provided a strong foundation for an industry that continues to see record-setting growth.
RELATED: The complete list of the Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Created in 2006 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry, this year’s event featured retail and product supplier honorees in four categories. They include Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion, and Lifetime Achievement.
Jac Ross
Vice President Of Sprouts Brand
Sprouts Farmers Market
In recent years, the continued growth of Sprouts Farmers Market’s Sprouts Brand has been much talked about by the retailer along with many across the industry. At the heart of that success is Jac Ross, the specialty grocer’s vice president of Sprouts Brand.
A member of the Private Label Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 in the Private Brand Champion category, Ross’s colleagues view her as a leader whose “always on” mentality and unwavering desire to succeed have propelled Sprouts Farmers Market to new heights in private label.
Setting Ross apart is her customer-centric approach. She places the customer at the center of every decision, constantly striving to solve new challenges in the ever-changing specialty foods landscape. Her ability to bring people together, connect ideas, and foster collaboration among teams has been instrumental in Sprouts' continued success.
“You often hear the phrase, ‘it takes a village’, and I believe that is so true within the Private Label Industry,” said Ross. “None of my success would have been possible without teamwork. Being able to bring together teams of many different personalities, skills, and experiences is critical to being able to push boundaries and try something different, and this almost always leads to a result far greater than an individual approach.”
This team approach has also led to the development of innovative and differentiated products. This commitment to innovation is at the core of Sprouts' success, offering customers an array of products they can't find elsewhere.
“I’m very passionate about product and I’m fairly certain anyone who works with me knows that,” she said. “I’m an advocate for products I work on and don’t accept good enough. we have to strive for greatness.”
Beyond her role within Sprouts, Ross’s impact extends to the industry as a whole. Her passion, energy, and drive serve as a reminder of the purpose and importance of private label products and specialty food markets.
Those close to her tout her legacy as one of innovation, collaboration, and customer-centricity. Her leadership continues to drive Sprouts Farmers Market forward, and she reminds her team of the essential role they play in providing customers with unique solutions.
As for her latest honor as a private label hall of famer, Ross said, “I moved to the U.S. more than nine years ago and at that time I knew very few people within the North American Private Brand industry. The private label industry is such a fascinating and rewarding industry to be part of and there are so many talented individuals. To be named a hall of famer was such a surprise, and to be within such great company of present and past honorees is a humbling experience.”
