2024 Store Brands Rising Stars: Pauline Stutsman of Simmons Pet Food
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.
Pauline Stutsman
Simmons Pet Food
Innovative thinking along with a collaborative approach, and a commitment to excellence have made Pauline Stutsman a standout at Simmons Pet Food. Colleagues say her ability to execute customer projects and business initiatives on time, with precision and excellence, consistently exceeds expectations and drives growth within the organization. Her interactions, both internally and externally, highlight her dedication to fostering strong relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction.
She attributes her career growth to embracing new challenges and responsibilities, asking insightful questions, and benefiting from valuable feedback and mentorship from her manager. This mindset has propelled her to continuously expand her knowledge and capabilities, driving her success at Simmons.
"We want to do great work together because of the pets we love," she said. “This collaborative spirit and dedication to innovation have enabled me to make significant contributions to new product development for Simmons' private brand customers.”
With a deep commitment to driving innovation in the pet food industry, Stutsman constantly seeks new ways to enhance products and processes, with a strong focus on sustainability. Her pursuit of eco-friendly solutions aims to minimize environmental impact while delivering top-quality pet nutrition. This passion for sustainability and innovation distinguishes her as a forward-thinking leader in the industry.
Her exceptional leadership was particularly evident when she spearheaded the overhaul of a customer portfolio. Managing a heavy workload, she navigated the complexities of reformulating the portfolio, identifying key opportunities for improvement while ensuring adherence to nutritional standards and regulatory compliance.
Colleagues said Stutsman’s relentless focus on achieving results, coupled with her innovative and goal-oriented approach, ensures she is well on her way to becoming a prominent leader in the private brand industry. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to inspire those around her make her a rising star whose contributions will continue to shape the future of Simmons Pet Food and the wider pet food sector.
These factors were key in her being named a 2024 Store Brands Rising Star.
“I am grateful for the recognition and validation of the hard work and dedication that I have put in my career,” she said. “I look forward to contributing further to the pet food industry and making a positive impact through Simmons Pet Food.”