Start Your Journey

It’s time to redraw the retail roadmap. Registration is now open for the CGA Strategic Conference. Meet us in Palm Springs to make meaningful business connections, experience valuable educational sessions, and enjoy quality time with peers.

Secure your spot and hotel accommodations today.

Register here

The Retail Roadmap

Rounding another corner of the pandemic, the California grocery industry sets its sights on the road ahead. Charting new terrain —from unpredictable supply chain bottlenecks to labor-related hurdles and rapid inflation— retailers and brands now must redraw the retail roadmap to develop new skills, test new approaches, and accelerate decision-making.

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Destination of the Year

The first stop on your journey is here. Join us in Palm Springs for insightful educational sessions tackling the latest trends, issues, and solutions in our industry, peer-to-peer social events, and our signature retailer/supplier meetings.

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Go the Distance With a Sponsorship

Sponsorship opportunities are available at various investment and exposure levels. All sponsors receive a set number of private, pre-arranged meetings with senior management, procurement teams, and other retail professionals in the California grocery industry.

Whether you represent a new product or an established national supplier, this not-to-be-missed gathering of top industry decision makers will guide towards vital business relationships and help plot strategies to reach your desired business destination.

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CGA is seeking a Controller to oversee the operations of the finance department and manage the Association’s accounting, financial reports, and investment accounts. Find more details on the position below.

Interested? Apply on LinkedIn.

Job Purpose:

The Controller manages the accounting needs, financial reports, and investment accounts for the California Grocers Association, the CGA Educational Foundation and Aisle 3 Concepts, LLC. This position manages the operations of the finance department, which includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, and payroll.

The Association serves and represents the grocery industry and advocates on their behalf. As a team, the CGA staff has created a culture statement to reflect our values: We are an empowered team guided by integrity and trust, to develop successful, long-term outcomes for our organization. At our core, we are collaborators who embrace each other’s diversity of perspectives and talents.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains a documented system of accounting policies and procedures; implements a system of controls over accounting transactions to minimize risk.
• Leads the organization’s finance department including managing one, direct staff member.
• Oversees the production of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports; ensures that the reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles or financial reporting standards.
• Manages the annual budget process and periodic forecasts; reports significant budget differences to management.
• Provides financial analysis as needed and reconciles investment accounts monthly.
• Works with external auditors and provides necessary information for the annual audit.
• Oversees the management of payroll processes, 401(k) benefits and contributions and the employee benefits package.
• Manages insurance policies and claims, including worker’s compensation, general liability, Directors & Officers, and building insurance.
• Manages accounting functions for Association’s building and tenants including rent roll and reviewing leases.
• Working with the CEO/COO, manages several committees, and outside financial consultants.
• Makes presentations to various Boards, committees and groups.
• Manage IT contract and services including coordinating upgrades, security protocols, and troubleshooting minor issues.
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned.

Qualifications:

Required skills/abilities:

• Strong Excel, QuickBooks Accounting Desktop 2021, and accounting software skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to answer questions, present solutions and suggest efficiencies.
• Excellent accounting skills including experience with budgeting, financial statement analysis and preparation.
• Ability to deliver quality work on tight deadlines, with strong organization and priority setting skills.
• Strong presentation and interpersonal skills. Must be able to communicate financial information into sound business language so people of all levels can understand.
• Ability to self-direct and self-manage multi-faceted workload of a busy association.
• Contributing and compatible team player. Works closely with the association’s senior leadership team and various boards and committees.
• Excellent management and supervisory skills.

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Seven to ten years of related experience required.
• Demonstrated skills and management experience overseeing a department and direct report.
• Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Account designation preferred.
• Understanding of applicable laws and regulations.
• Understanding of financial data analysis and reporting.
• Knowledge of payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.

Working Conditions:

Work is generally performed in an office environment in downtown Sacramento with a flexible work from home option following completion of 90-day performance evaluation. Occasional overnight travel to CGA events throughout California.

The California Grocers Association provides medical, dental, and vison insurance for employee and eligible dependents, and life insurance and long term disability insurance for the employee. The Association also provides eligible employees with a generous 401(k) and profit sharing program along with paid sick, vacation and holiday time. Parking in downtown location provided.

The position is full time, exempt. Salary commensurate with experience and credentials.

The information provided in this description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required of employees in this job.

Physical Requirements:

Employee may experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time:

• View computer monitors;
• Sitting at a desk;
• Standing for CGA events;
• Occasional overnight travel (including driving and flying) to other locations within California, to support CGA events.

Direct Reports:

This position supervises the Senior Accountant & Assistant Office Manager position.

California is feeling the impacts of climate change like never before

Cycles of extreme heat and weather variability, long periods of drought and low snowpack are putting California on the cusp of the worst drought in our state’s history. Today, more than 95% of the state is in “severe drought,” and we simply do not have enough water to meet the needs of California’s homes, businesses, farms and wildlife.

As we prepare for summer, vacations and fun, we must also prepare for record hot weather. While climate change and water supply shortages pose a huge challenge for the entire West, every Californian can take steps to make a difference by taking a summer-ready approach to water use. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation – but we’ve got this.

Now is the time for Californians to step up and conserve water because every drop counts. Small and consistent changes to reduce water use daily will make a big impact in the long run. With 50 percent of home water use in dedicated to outdoor purposes, there are ways to significantly reduce water usage outside. Easy, actionable steps you can take today include:

• Turn off your sprinklers and other irrigation systems when rain is in the weather forecast.
• Prioritize watering your trees when faced with watering restrictions: Remember, trees are an investment. It will take more water, time and money to replace a mature tree lost to drought than to keep one alive.
• Replace grass with drought-resistant landscaping or turf: Water-wise plants and landscaping use little or no water once established.
• Install automatic shut off valves for your outdoor sprinkler systems: Installing a drip irrigation system and a smart controller can save 15 gallons each time you water.
• Plant water-wise plants: Check with your local water agency on the best plants for your climate. It is best to use water-wise, California-native plants where possible.
• Lay mulch around your plants and yard: Laying 2–4 inches of organic mulch around your yard can keep the soil moist and reduce water use.

Learn more about how you can do your part to #SaveOurWater at saveourwater.com.

CGA catches up with recently-retired Kevin Konkel to gather his insights from 44 years in the grocery industry.

By Kevin Konkel

Former Chief Operations Officer at Raley’s & Former CGA Board Chair

Seek first the most important and meaningful things in life.  Then the trials, tribulations, joys, and victories may be kept in perspective. The eyes of man are never satisfied. If more “stuff” is what we want, we will never have enough, and gratitude will elude us.

Find the right partner. Leadership is hard, and the right relationship at home to ground inspire and challenge makes all the difference.

You are the “goose that lays the golden eggs.”  Take care of yourself and continue to produce golden eggs long-term. Focus on spiritual & physical health; otherwise, it’s difficult to serve others and tend to responsibilities. Neglecting this fact catches up to us more quickly than we realize.

If you want to be a great leader, have the heart of a servant. It’s a life-long journey, and we never fully arrive, so above all else, be humble — lookout not only for your interests but for the interests of others.

Intense competitiveness and kindness can co-exist. I’ve seen and experienced this time and time again in retailing. Daily, we set out to beat the competition yet cheer each other on simultaneously. Go figure.

Learn from those who have done it before us. No matter what we’re going through, someone else has been in our shoes and persevered. Seek them out.

After doing the research, it’s ok to trust our gut/heart. There are tons of cliches out there from “experts” that have never been in our shoes, and at the end of the day, we own our decisions. Seek advice, but question it ruthlessly to ensure it’s a path to go down.

Prevail over self-doubt. Imposter syndrome is often a natural byproduct when we’re persistently leaning against our comfort zone; push through it.

“I’m sorry” and “I forgive you “ are powerful statements for the workplace too. Nothing is more powerful than admitting mistakes, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love. Never take a genuine connection for granted. True friends and trusted colleagues are hard to find. Honest conversations are rare. Moments of vulnerability are special. Soak these up.

We are human beings, not human doings. Love, care and serve, knowing people are not widgets.  People need leaders who provide trust, compassion, stability, and hope to achieve their best and that entails treating others with respect and dignity who are wonderfully and fearfully made individuals.

Be a good steward. Return the business to the owner in better condition than where we found it.  Optimally, much better.

The graveyard is full of indispensable people. We will eventually be replaced. We will move on someday. Don’t be threatened by up-and-coming superstars within our organizations. Build a bench of talent better than us and start today.

This article originally appeared in California Grocer Issue 1. For more Issue 1 content and stories, visit here.

Industry Celebrates Kendra Doyel and Mickie Sharp-Villanueva

For the first time in two years, around 400 industry members and friends gathered for the Hall of Achievement (HOA) Dinner in Redondo Beach to honor Kendra Doyel (Ralphs Grocery Company) and Mickie Sharp-Villanueva (the Performance Group).

The spirit of giving was in the air as attendees raised just over $95,000 for the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) through both the silent and live auctions, and the Fund-a-Need program. Funds will benefit the next generation of student leaders, funding scholarships and educational programs for grocery industry members and their dependents for years to come.

Thank you to our generous sponsors and attendees for making this memorable celebration possible.

Congratulations to Kendra and Mickie from your friends at CGA and CGAEF!

See event photos below.

We’re thrilled by the recent addition of Bailey Dayen to the California Grocers Association team.

In the newly created position of Business Development Manager, Bailey will help advance CGA’s growth, working closely with industry partners across all categories, to create meaningful partnerships and enhance collaboration opportunities.

Having worked for the Gallo Sales Company for the past three years, most recently as District Manager, Bailey brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with both a top CPG brand and California grocery retailers to her new role. A native Californian, Bailey is a graduate of California State University, Chico with a degree in Agribusiness.

Leading the Association’s business development, Bailey will collaborate with brands and service providers to tailor packages that boost exposure through CGA communications, while also managing sponsorship sales and services for CGA events, including the popular CGA Strategic Conference.

Join us in welcoming Bailey to the CGA team. If you would like to connect, Bailey can be reached at [email protected].

The New Fault Lines in California Politics

Following a tumultuous statewide redistricting process, the first California Grocer issue of 2022 covers everything you need to know about California politics this year.

In her first column as CGA Chair, Renee Amen shares her take on state legislators’ “Great Resignation” and calls for unity across the political aisle. Louie Brown from Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP breaks down both new laws and existing laws going into effect this year.

With two years of COVID under our belts, CGA Vice President of Government Relations Kelly Ash sorts through the contradictions in some statewide COVID policies ending, while others, like supplemental paid sick leave, remain in place. NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara covers Congress’s to-do list for 2022 as it relates to the economy, the supply chain, and more.  Matt Rodriguez, CEO of Rodriguez Strategies, forecasts the future of the California Democratic party and the state’s progressive politics following redistricting.

Must read sections from Issue 1:

• Chair’s Message: A Fresh Year
  Renee Amen

• Need to Know: New Laws for 2022
  Louie Brown

• Lessons I’ve Learned on Leadership and Life
  Kevin Konkel

• Shifting Electoral Dynamics in Democratic California
  Matt Rodriguez

Read Issue 1 here.

Legislative Briefings and Elected Official Meetings Set Political Agenda for Grocers

Thank you to all who joined us at this week’s Grocers Day event in Sacramento! Grocers Day looked a little different this year. Attendees gathered at the Citizen Hotel and heard from a diverse set of speakers on what to expect in 2022. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns directly to speakers. Asm. Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-03) shared his party’s priorities for the year ahead, citing PAGA reform, the homelessness crisis, theft and crime, and cost of living as top of mind issues. Christy Wilson (Wilson Public Affairs) provided a comprehensive update on the campaign to reform and replace PAGA and talked about what our industry can do to help get our measure on the November ballot for 2022. Robert Moutrie (CalChamber) shared his insight on what businesses can expect of future CalOSHA workplace safety regulations.   Asm. Phil Ting (D-19) sat down with Louie Brown (Kahn, Soares & Conway LLP) for a fireside chat where they covered the budget surplus, redistricting, and the “Great Resignation” of lawmakers.   Lastly, CGA’s very own Kelly Ash and Michel LeClerc (GR Committee Chair) discussed all things related to the CGA PAC and 2022 elections.  Thank you to our wonderful speakers, sponsors, and attendees for another successful Grocers Day!

Advocate Face-to-Face

As business operators in California’s highly-regulated landscape, it’s essential that members are equipped with the latest information on policy issues that may affect their stores and employees. Further, as one of the largest employers in the state, grocers deserve the opportunity to educate elected officials on the the industry’s perspective and day-to-day challenges.

CGA’s Grocers Day at the Capitol is the perfect setting for members to connect with legislators face-to-face to discuss all things California policy for the year ahead.   

Grocers Day is taking a new shape for 2022. This year, members will convene at The Citizen Hotel to receive comprehensive briefings from legislative and regulatory leaders, issue experts, and politicians on the most pressing issues impacting our industry and state including: CalOSHA’s permanent regulations, recycling, PAGA initiative, and local elections.  

Afterwards, join Louie Brown (Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP) for a fireside chat with legislators, giving members the opportunity to ask questions and share their own perspectives through guided conversation. Our day of advocacy will conclude with an evening President’s Reception. We hope to see you there!  

Find the full agenda for Grocers Day below.

Register Today

Join us for Grocers Day in Sacramento on April 6, 2022 from 12-4 p.m., followed by an evening President’s Reception. Download your registration form below. 

Contact Kelly Ash for more information. 

Join us for an immersive educational session

CGA’s annual Symposium showcases hands-on educational experiences to inspire our guests for the year of business ahead. This January, guests will be immersed in Hawaiian agriculture with a private farm-to-table tour of Kahumana Farm, one of O’ahu’s largest sustainable farming operations.

We’ll explore the role food can play in supporting communities in need with tastings and interactive activities.

Guests will have the opportunity to taste tropical fruits, learn about indigenous crops (‘ulu, kalo), feed farm animals, and harvest crops. Following the tour, we will enjoy a 3-course meal from the on-site café and learn about the farm’s mission to celebrate the bounty of Hawaii’s natural and cultural environment while addressing some of her most pressing needs.

Join your peers January 9-16, 2022, at the Four Seasons Resort, O’ahu at Ko Olina to renew and recharge for the new year. Learn more about our educational sessions or register here.

For questions, please email Beth Wright, Sr. Director, Events & Sponsorship, or call (916) 228-4424.