Kilmer Takes Over Procurement

With extensive knowledge about CKC Good Food's vendors, products and systems that he has gained in multiple jobs at CKC Good Food, Warehouse Manager Justin Kilmer has accepted the additional role of Procurement Manager. That's a lot of responibilty! He was eager to step into the new role because of the support from the experienced team members in the warehouse, and those supporting him with procurement, including:

• Steve Michalski: salad bar and paper product procurement
• Wolfgang Mayr: procurement of food for breakfast and the offsite kitchens we manage
• Director of Compliance Laurie Yohn, SNS, DTR, CFPM: management of USDA Foods
• CEO Nancy Close: surveying commodity foods with schools' entitlements
• Director of Strategic Planning Ambika Senthilvel: projections based on inventory levels and menu trends

Our outside vendors' sales reps are helping Justin conquer the learning curve as well.

"Justin has been a big support to our procurement team for years," said Nancy Close, CEO of CKC Good Food. "He knows the foods, the manufacturers and our systems, and has a willingness to learn. That's huge!"

In the new position, he also oversees inventory management, which is done by Inventory Analyst Steve Fleming.

As Warehouse Manager, Justin leads the team that physically manages the flow of food, milk, paper products and more, in and out of the company’s possession. He gradually worked into that role, learning a lot about CKC Good Food’s business, clients and product inventory as a driver and warehouse team member during Covid. He has become well-versed in the company’s regular product rotation, servings in a box and boxes on a pallet as well as the nutritional guidelines for federal nutrition programs through his various roles.

Prior to joining CKC Good Food in 2019, Justin worked for a family-owned grocery store in Sparta, Wisconsin, for about 15 years in a variety of roles.