Store Brands Rising Stars: Alesandra Ponce at Whole Foods Market
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.
Alesandra Ponce
Whole Foods Market
With a diverse background spanning apparel, sporting goods, and now the natural grocery sector, Alesandra Ponce, senior team lead at Whole Foods Market, attributes her success to the support of patient mentors and a strong network of family and friends who have inspired and advocated for her throughout her career.
"I started my career in companies that were in rapid growth mode with limited established processes and a 'do whatever it takes to be first to shelf and lowest price' mentality,” she said. “Those experiences challenged me to be nimble and creative in problem-solving and leading others.”
Since joining Whole Foods Market seven years ago, she has found a structured and inclusive environment that fosters innovation and risk-taking, thanks to the company's continuing education resources and empowering leadership.
In her role, Ponce oversees the whole body, supplements & essentials categories within Exclusive Brands at Whole Foods Market. Her leadership extends to a team of six sourcing leaders and assistants, and she has spearheaded several strategic initiatives, including the Amazon Direct Ship Launch and the enhancement of Whole Foods Market's Sourcing Process.
In 2023, she played a pivotal role in launching the company's Exclusive Brands on the Amazon Direct Ship platform, expanding the brand's reach from 7,000 to 43,000 zip codes. As a representative of Sourcing & Product Development on the Executive Leadership Team, she coordinated the launch of nearly 1,000 SKUs in less than a year. Her contributions included designing the SKU selection and leading supplier coordination, as well as developing a multi-pack strategy to offer customers additional value in sizes and flavors.
Ponce said being a 2024 Store Brands Rising Star honoree is a significant honor. "This award is a testament to the amazing leaders, colleagues, and family that have inspired and encouraged me throughout my career,” she said. “Without their help, this honor would not have been possible.”
