Fresh Thyme assistant director of produce Jesse Himango on category management, new product launches and more

We’re delighted to welcome as our guest for this episode Jesse Himango, assistant director of produce for Fresh Thyme Market. Jesse’s career has also included tenures at Gordy’s Market, SpartanNash and Cub Foods. In this conversation, Jesse talks about analyzing and experimenting with assortment, price and promotion during his time as a category manager; the need for tightening retails as shoppers trade down on certain items amid high inflation; the transition from an in-the-weeds role to a big-picture role; best practices for launching new products; ideal time frames for new product trials; the value of brands in produce; getting produce more involved in the retailer’s channels to the shopper; how a retailer chooses which product stories to tell; merchandising produce in the e-commerce landscape; leadership lessons from Scott Schuette; the different roles Jesse has worked in during his career; learnings from his early years as a young produce manager; assigning roles to produce department team members; the evolution of automated ordering systems and adjusting to using that technology; and more. Enjoy! For more episodes featuring executive perspective, check out this curated playlist dedicated to conversations with current and former vice presidents of produce, directors of produce, and other executive roles.  More Playlists Merchandising & Marketing  Leadership & Training Produce Manager Perspective Podcast Background This podcast is designed to cover all things produce retail: strategy, partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and beyond. Scroll through our episodes list to find conversations with vice presidents and directors of produce, merchandisers, produce managers, retail dietitians and more. Get Involved The Produce Retail Podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, a former trade journalist turned consultant. Have an idea for a topic or a guest? Give her a shout on LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.