2022 Packer 25 — Chuck Sinks
The 2022 Packer 25 is our annual tribute to 25 leaders, innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. Each year, The Packer invites the produce industry to nominate distinguished veterans, leaders and rising stars of the fresh produce industry. As always, our editorial team was energized and awed by the talented pool of nominees this year. Now in its 18th year, The Packer 25 is once again spotlighting 25 dynamic and inspiring people who are moving the produce industry forward.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing, Sage Fruit, Yakima, Wash.
How did you get your start in the produce industry?
Sinks: I graduated in 1984 from the University of Kansas. The day after graduation I went on an interview with a liquor company. The interview did not excite me. Since I had my suit and tie on, I went into the closest employment agency I could find in Kansas City. I told them I needed a job and they looked over my resume. They said that the Dole Fresh Fruit Company was coming in the following week to interview candidates for a district manager job. I interviewed with Dole and was very fortunate to get the job offer after several interviews. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.
How would you describe your current role?
My role with Sage Fruit is to build relationships, take care of the customers' wants and needs, and to make sure that we are exceeding their expectations with their partnership with Sage Fruit. We want every customer to feel appreciated and valued at every level in our company. Customers have many choices when it comes to competitors in our industry, and it is important to not take any customer for granted.
What do you hope to accomplish/contribute through that role?
We work from a total team effort at Sage Fruit. Every person within our company can help affect how the customers feels about Sage Fruit. If one person cuts corners, then we run the risk of disappointing the customer. If every customer feels respected, valued and knows that we listened to their wants and needs then I feel we have accomplished our goal.
What is your produce superpower?
Engagement, understanding and flexibility. I have been in this industry for 38 years. In those 38 years, I have learned that not everything goes as planned. I believe that you must address issues and problems head on and address them as soon as you see them coming. It never pays to put off a problem. While customers may not like the problem or the solution, they respect you more if you take on the issue rather than making excuses or letting them find out after the fact.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
My career started off at the Dole Food Company in 1984. In 1986, Dole awarded me with the Sale Person of the Year for the Dole Food Company. With all of the salespeople that Dole Food Company employed, it made me very proud to be honored in that way.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leading by example is especially important to me. I never ask my team to do anything that I have not already done or am not willing to do now. I feel that if you are an open book with the people you work with, or in your personal life, you can be a strong leader. Leadership to me is being someone that others know they can count on through thick and thin, to be there for them day in and day out guiding them along the path, while listening to their thoughts and passions along the way to help all of us accomplish our goals in business or in life.
An industry issue that I think about often is...
When I was first hired at Dole, Clint Kern told me that this business would get into my blood and that I would never leave the industry. At the time, I thought Clint was just using those words to get me excited about working for Dole. Now 38 years later, his words still hold true today, and I will never leave the industry. Bringing in young talent to this industry is something that I often think about. New young talent is needed in every facet of our industry. We must bring them into this industry, teach them, listen to their thoughts and be open-minded to grow these future leaders so that the produce industry will continue to thrive.
READ ALL THE OTHER 2022 PACKER 25 PROFILES HERE.
