Supermarket success: Daniel Malcolm’s pathway towards store ownership with PAK’nSAVE

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At 15, Daniel Malcolm took a part-time job on the checkout at PAK’nSAVE Hornby, never expecting he’d one day help run the store.

Thanks to his strong work ethic and dedication to the team, Daniel moved through various roles and departments, eventually rising to Operations Manager - a position that brings him closer to his long-term goal of owning his own store.

“I started at PAK’nSAVE Hornby as an after-school job to earn some pocket money, working on checkout and collecting trolleys,” Daniel says. 

“But the store’s commitment to career growth really drew me in. After high school, I tried tertiary education, but I quickly found that hands-on learning was a better fit, and the opportunities here just kept growing.”

Over the past decade, Daniel has built his skills with the training and mentorship of the store’s owner-operators, Kerri Lee-Lissington and Blake Lissington, whose support has been key to his development. “They believed in me, helped me grow, and weren’t afraid to give me a nudge when I needed it,” he says.

“Most people think working at a supermarket is all about scanning groceries, and stocking shelves, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a 24/7 business, with plenty of opportunities to develop and grow your career.”

Kerri says the store has a long-standing commitment to developing and investing in their team and providing pathways and opportunities to build a meaningful career.

“We’re committed to nurturing potential and investing in team members like Daniel who go the extra mile,” says Kerri. 

“It’s a collaborative, fast-paced environment we work in, and we always look to provide our team members with the right amount of challenge and opportunities to grow, while offering them support and guidance to get ahead.

“Daniel has been with us for over 10 years now and it’s been great to see his journey, taking on multiple roles across departments, and excelling in them, while also continually building his knowledge and expertise.”

While juggling his daily work instore, Daniel is also completing a leadership management course as part of the Foodstuffs South Island Learning and Development Programme pathway to store ownership.

“No two days are the same,” he says, “and it’s inspiring to have that autonomy in my role. PAK’nSAVE’s culture is incredible – everyone’s here to support each other, and we’re all working towards a shared purpose.”

The support and advice from Kerri and Blake have empowered him to pursue every opportunity.

“Early on I was given some really good advice that I’d share with other people who are thinking about a career in the supermarket industry – ‘Don’t hold back and don’t be afraid to go after what you want’.”