2024 Store Brands Rising Stars: Kasturi Chitre of Consumer Science
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.
Kasturi Chitre
Consumer Science
Kasturi Chitre's career trajectory at Consumer Science showcases her dedication and skill in the realm of product quality management.
Beginning her career in a product testing role, she has advanced to a leadership position, where she now oversees laboratory operations and manages key relationships with private brand retailers nationwide. Now holding the title of product quality manager, her expertise ensures that private brand items maintain consistent quality from development through to the consumer shelf.
Throughout her tenure at Consumer Science, Chitre has been instrumental in ensuring product quality. She played a pivotal role in the large-scale launch of new frozen food items, providing critical feedback at each stage of the process. Her high-level scientific knowledge and ability to translate complex information have been invaluable internally and to retail customers.
"I am most engaged when working within supportive teams where individuals can combine their expertise to deliver impactful results," the 2024 Store Brands Rising Star honoree said.
Chitre's colleagues said her contributions extend beyond technical expertise; she is also a mentor and leader who embodies the core values of honesty, integrity, and positivity. Her ability to bridge the gap between laboratory insights and retail execution has made her a key asset to Consumer Science and its partners.
She credits her upbringing as playing a significant role in shaping her professional ethos. "I am fortunate to have a supportive family who instilled in me the value of education,” she said. “My upbringing emphasized honesty, integrity, and a positive attitude. My core values are further reinforced by my husband and his family, whose encouragement fuels my ambition and motivates me to achieve even greater success.”
Being named a Store Brands Rising Star is another significant milestone for Chitre. "I am deeply grateful for the recognition from such a respected voice in the private label industry," she said. “This acknowledgment serves as a powerful motivator to continue pushing boundaries and making a positive impact within the field.”