From Cashier to Category Boss: Natasha Brinegar on Leadership, Growth & the Future of Grocery Retail

What does it take to lead one of the most critical categories in grocery retail—and how do you build a lasting, evolving career within the same organization?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Natasha Brinegar, Vice President of Category Management,  Meat & Seafood at Food Lion, joins Jenn Hahn to share her 34-year journey from store-level cashier to executive leadership.Natasha offers a clear and practical view of her current role, including overseeing assortment, pricing, supplier partnerships, and merchandising strategy across more than 1,100 stores. She emphasizes that while category management is often viewed through a technical lens, success ultimately depends on strong relationships, effective collaboration, and people-centered leadership.She also reflects on the key decisions that shaped her career—choosing to remain in the grocery industry, pursuing cross-functional experience through lateral moves, and stepping into leadership roles without waiting for complete readiness. Her perspective highlights the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and confidence built through action.In addition, Natasha shares insights into the evolving grocery landscape, including the rapid growth of digital capabilities, changing customer expectations, and the increasing importance of personalization and convenience in retail strategy.In this episode, we explore:The scope and responsibilities of a Vice President in category managementWhy relationship-building is essential in a data-driven retail environmentThe long-term value of lateral career moves and cross-functional experienceHow to approach new roles without prior category expertiseThe role of calculated risk-taking in driving innovation and growthKey shifts in grocery retail, including digital transformation and delivery expectationsWhat hiring leaders look for in candidates, including clarity of purpose and adaptabilityHow to identify and overcome self-imposed limitations in career progressionThis episode provides valuable insight for professionals at all stages of their careers—particularly those navigating leadership development, career transitions, or growth within complex organizations.🎧 Listen now to gain a practical perspective on leadership, career progression, and how to build a meaningful career that evolves with both the individual and the business.Guest Links:Connect with Natasha Brinegar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-brinegar-071b853/ Food Lion: https://www.foodlion.com/ Next Steps:Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn