Stakeholder Spotlight: Jenny Mahoney
Stakeholder Spotlight: Jenny Mahoney
This year, Jenny Mahoney celebrates 24 years working with Kowalski's. At just 16 years old, she started her Kowalski's career as a carryout at Grand Avenue, where she quite quickly found a home in the Deli Department. To those who know her, it comes as no surprise that Jenny thrived working in the busiest department at the busiest store in the company. The particularly fast pace of the deli is one of the things she loves best about the business and why she's perfectly suited for her role as Deli Director, a title she's held for nearly seven years.
In her early years Jenny moved around – a lot. From Grand to Inver Grove Heights, Woodbury, Oak Park Heights, Hennepin, Lakeville, Eden Prairie and back to Woodbury, Jenny's seen a lot of delis and a lot of remodels. Of all this bouncing around, she says, "It doesn't really bug me. I kind of thrive on it."
As one of the most serviced areas of the store, the deli is a department where customer interaction is a constant. For Jenny, this is her sweet spot.
"I love being a daymaker. For me it's all about impacting someone's day in one way or another. Even though I'm not on the sales floor every day anymore, this is still a big part of what I do now."
She adds, "My role has always been about having an impact, giving people what they need, even if all they want is someone to listen."
Industry insiders know that the deli is increasingly at the heart of any grocery store, and as such, it's constantly in a state of flux. It's a department that is all about managing change. Of the continually evolving list of products and programs in our deli, from phở and ramen to wings and hibachi, Jenny goes with the flow.
"I love the direction we're going with fresh-prepared foods and a restaurant-within-the-store concept. To me it's just super special."
The ability to turn on a dime and change up the offerings in her department is the work of a dedicated group that also thrives on this culture of nonstop transformation. Jenny credits her colleagues for the deli's success.
"I just feel so lucky and so blessed to be a part of this organization," says Jenny. "I love the teams I work with. The Deli Managers and Deli Strategy Group are phenomenal. We're constantly looking at trends, concepts and recipes to make our delis the way they are: unique."
Selling good food that people can count on is what Kowalski's is all about, especially in departments like the deli, where so much of the food is made in-house.
"Quality is huge – we try to be the best. I know our staff is proud to serve the food we sell every day," Jenny says. "As a mom, I care about what I serve my family, and I want people to be proud to serve the products we sell, too – like our rotisserie chicken. Making chicken was always my least favorite job in the deli, but I LOVE to eat it!"
Jenny and her husband, Shawn, live in Hastings with their three kids, Ava, Lyla and Cullen. Between dance lessons, soccer, tee-ball and hockey games, they get their fair share of family time. In the summer that means boating.
"We could live on the river!" Jenny says.
They also love to spend time with Jenny's mom, Terri Bennis, who is Kowalski's Chief Merchandising Officer.
"Obviously she was a huge influence to me growing up," says Jenny. "Both of my parents loved to cook. My mom was a farmer's daughter and the oldest of five kids, so she learned to cook at an early age. She passed on a passion for food and cooking."
Such family ties are a critical element in the Kowalski's formula and lend insight into Jenny's passion for her job.
"Sharing good food is kind of my love language. It's how I express how I care for people."
You can send Jenny a note at [email protected].
