2024 Store Brands Rising Stars: Bryan Specht of TrueChoicePack
The rising stars across private label are shining brighter, reflective of an industry in the midst of robust growth and needing younger talent to develop new methods of doing business at a time when growth opportunities are robust.
The Fifth Annual Store Brands Rising Stars honors this crop of new talent that is driving sales from the retail and supplier sides of the business. Private label product sales over the past year continued to grow and the efforts of retailers through the first half of 2024 show an ongoing appetite for products that are unique and also offer shoppers a strong value.
RELATED: Meet the Store Brands Rising Stars Class of 2024
This year’s list of Rising Stars provides insight into how a new crop of talented individuals under the age of 40 are pushing the industry forward and continuing to innovate.
Bryan Specht
TrueChoicePack
Bryan Specht's journey at TrueChoicePack began in 2020 through an Ohio Department of Development Internship program while he was a student at the University of Dayton. Transitioning from import/export work to sales, he has steadily broadened his responsibilities, playing a crucial role in the company's global success.
His rapid rise to the role of national account manager showcases his dedication and ability to thrive in challenging environments. His expertise in the private label sector has allowed him to understand market dynamics and address customer needs adeptly, leading to significant achievements in marketing and sales.
"The most important factor in my career growth has been my passion for learning," said Specht. "By staying curious and seeking out opportunities to expand my skills, I've been able to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities as they arise."
One of his notable accomplishments has been spearheading the development of a major retail customer's private label picnic and tabletop category. By collaborating closely with supply chain, procurement, and design teams, he orchestrated a comprehensive solution leveraging TrueChoicePack's in-house brands. This strategic partnership expanded to include 14 SKUs of private label products tailored to the retailer's specifications, including cutlery, serving ware, and toothpicks.
Specht's efforts have also led to significant growth for TrueChoicePack, driving millions of dollars in revenue and acquiring several major accounts. His dedication to excellence and cross-functional collaboration have strengthened the company's partnerships with its customers and solidified its position in the marketplace.
For Specht, the most enjoyable part of his job is the interdisciplinary collaboration that comes with working at a small company.
"Working at a small company like TrueChoicePack over the past four years has given me an interdisciplinary perspective on private label manufacturing," he said. "The most rewarding aspect of my daily job is finding ways to deliver exactly the products our customers envision – especially if it means working with manufacturing to develop that product from the ground up."
Being named a 2024 Store Brands Rising Star is a significant honor for Specht. "It's truly humbling to be recognized, especially by a publication such as Store Brands that I've followed for years," he said. "Being featured in Private Label Rising Stars is particularly meaningful as it sheds light on talented individuals who may not have garnered widespread recognition yet. I'm deeply appreciative of this recognition and optimistic about the journey ahead."