Coworking with Cory Onell

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This week, we’re ketching up with Kraft Heinz’s chief sales officer Cory Onell.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? I lead the Kraft Heinz sales organization, a team of 800+ individuals who are responsible for partnering with retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, and Target (to name a few) to ensure Kraft Heinz products are in stores, online, and available for people to buy and enjoy across North America.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? I’m passionate about allyship, and I’ve worked to build the awareness, capability, and adoption of allyship inside my team and across the organization. I’m also very involved in Kraft Heinz’s DE&I efforts, helping to empower the growth of all team members through partnerships with Next Up, The WE Network, and the National Sales Network.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Hands down, our 2022 National Sales Conference. It was the first time we came together as a Kraft Heinz team. We celebrated. We collaborated. We bonded. And, importantly, we set and committed to our 2023 plan. It was inspiring, energizing, and one of the best experiences of my career.

Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about this year, and why? The “quick with quality” trend excites me. The pandemic has made home the hub for cooking again, but we have less time to make a great-tasting meal. Creating convenient, great-tasting, and filling food continues to gain importance with consumers.

What’s your go-to coffee order? Simple: black coffee. I got my hands on some of the new IHOP coffee that’s sold at retail (it’s in a test market right now) and it’s become my new go-to.

Worst piece of advice you’ve received? I can’t remember the worst piece of advice, but the best advice I ever received was from my Grandpa. When I was a sales rep at the beginning of my career, I stopped into one of my stores to put up a display and my grandfather came in with me. After I finished the display, he asked me, “Are you winning?” He was referring to my company and if we were beating the competition. That was an eye-opening moment for me because I didn’t know the answer to the question. I was so focused on the task that I wasn’t focused on the bigger picture or goal of beating the competition. He told me that every store I visit and sales call I make is my fingerprint and represents the job I do. That advice has always stuck with me.

What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? When I was 15 it was CapriSun, hands down. Now, my favorite product is Heinz mustard. I’m a big fan of mustard sandwiches.