Albertsons Cos.’ Patrick O’Brien among IFPA’s 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award winners

DENVER — When it comes to produce displays that shout "Buy me," Patrick O'Brien is schooling the competition. The produce manager of an Albertsons Cos.-owned Safeway store near the University of Denver was recently honored with the International Fresh Produce Association’s 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award.

“Patrick is a leader when it comes to building extra or seasonal displays,” said Jeff Piroddi, the Albertsons Cos. produce operations specialist who nominated O’Brien for this year’s award. “He creates displays that look great and simply shout to the customer: ‘Buy me.’

“Much of his success as a manager stems from this creativity and ability to present such a great product to the customer on a daily basis,” Piroddi added.

O’Brien is one of just 15 produce managers nationwide that IFPA is honoring this year. Sponsored by Dole Food Co. Inc., the award program honors produce managers for their commitment to fresh produce, innovative merchandising, community service and customer satisfaction.

“For us, this award is important because it honors the people presenting our product to the consumer,” Xavier Roussel, vice president of marketing and sustainability for Dole Food Co., told The Packer. “There’s a human factor to this — all that we do is magnified by the work of these talented produce managers. Honoring them is important.”

The winners receive a recognition visit at their store and a trip to IFPA's Global Produce & Floral Show, Oct. 19-21 in Anaheim, Calif., where they are honored at a special recognition dinner.

“It feels good to be recognized for what I do,” O’Brien told The Packer. “I always want shoppers to be able to find the highest-quality products in my department.”

The Packer visited O’Brien and his produce department Sept. 1 during IFPA’s store visit. His immaculate produce department is a study in color-blocking perfection. The department also draws shoppers in with eye-catching seasonal displays.

“What truly helps Patrick drive his sales, is that he coaches and trains his people on these same standards and customer service,” said Piroddi on his nomination form. “His customers have confidence that they will find the best quality, selection and customer service in his produce department. He literally carries 99% of every product that we offer through our warehouse and supply chain.”

Not only does O’Brien ensure his produce department offers the variety of high-quality produce items his customers crave, he also cultivates a knowledgeable team capable of sell-through.

“He carries the largest variety of products that our stores can carry and educates his people about them so that they are knowledgeable when approached by inquisitive customers,” Piroddi said. “His leadership most certainly helps to expand the reach of produce in his community and with the young millennial students at the University of Denver.”

O’Brien’s produce department is always “one of the top-performing departments,” said Piroddi, who thinks the produce manager’s “incredible attention to detail” is critical to his success.

“Patrick's reach goes far beyond just his store to the entire district and division here in Denver,” Piroddi said.

Albertsons Cos. leadership took part in IFPA’s store-tour day to congratulate O’Brien on his excellence in produce.

“This award is important to us because produce is among the most important things we do and how we differentiate from our competition,” Todd Broderick, Albertsons Cos. division president, told The Packer. “This award recognizes the importance we place on having the freshest produce of the highest quality in Colorado.”

O’Brien, whose customer service approach has been described as “infectious,” recently participated in a Safeway division customer service video designed to educate employees.

“Every customer that walks into Patrick's department knows that any need they have will be addressed,” Piroddi said. “He is truly remarkable when it comes to customer service because he clearly loves and enjoys what he does as a produce manager.”

Related: Why Giant Co.'s Breanna Norris is one of the nation’s best produce managers