Sacking groceries at Milgrim’s on 24 Highway & Noland Road in Independence launched what has now been a more than 30-year career in the grocery business for John King, the new store director for Sun Fresh on Blue Parkway. In May, Community Builders of Kansas City announced that it would be the owner/operator of this grocery store effective June 30, 2020. Bringing on King was one of the first moves CBKC made in its commitment to develop the Sun Fresh into a top-shelf operation.
“John is a long-time grocery professional and he is from the community,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., CBKC president and CEO. “He has both the experience and the passion to elevate the performance of this grocery store and respond to what its customers have been asking for – better product quality and choice and a great customer experience.”
Over the years, King has worked in positions of increasing responsibility including store director for store brands that have included Hen House, Price Chopper and Sun Fresh on both sides of the state line and in urban and suburban communities.
“I often was asked to go to a property to help improve its operation and profitability,” King said. “It was great experience and I learned a lot working in different parts of town with employees and customers of every background. I am bringing all that to Sun Fresh on Blue Parkway and am excited to have this opportunity to make a difference here.”
In addition for working nearly 20 years for one of the area’s largest supermarket systems, King also worked for multi-national supply chain manager XPO Logistics as an operations supervisor handling its client, Amazon, and seeing how that company operated and moved its product. More experience came along when King operated his own grocery shopping and delivery service and provided residential real estate consulting to help others navigate the often daunting and complex process of buying a home.
“My career has had a consistent focus on the customer experience,” said King. “It is challenging and satisfying to understand the customer need and then fulfill it. I look forward to seeing that happen here. There is huge potential for Sun Fresh on Blue Parkway. Change for the better is coming.”