PAK’nSAVE Rotorua Grocery and Storeroom Manager, Cliff McKenzie 

After 20 years of dairy farming in rural Bay of Plenty, Cliff McKenzie swapped sharemilking for supermarkets in what’s been a remarkable career transformation with PAK’nSAVE.  

Cliff took a bold step in 2013, selling his dairy farm in Galatea to seek a fresh challenge in the supermarket sector. Initially working at a local Four Square, Cliff learned the ropes of the business, undertaking everything from customer service, stocking shelves, and bookwork at the store. Then in 2018, he joined the team at PAK’nSAVE Rotorua, where he quickly demonstrated his passion for continuous improvement, leadership and customer service. 

Cliff has undertaken several roles at the store and is currently Grocery and Storeroom Manager. His goal is to own his own store. 

“Every day here is different, and that’s what I love about this industry,” says Cliff. “I’ve enjoyed making the most of the development opportunities provided by PAK’nSAVE. From management courses to hands-on experience, it’s all helping me work towards my long-term goal of store ownership.” 

Cliff’s daughter, Bailey, who works at the store as a duty manager, is keen to go down the store ownership pathway, while son Casey, who works in grocery, is showing promise too. Owner-operator Amanda Elliot has supported Cliff’s development, recommending instore experience across all departments, and key management and leadership courses to prepare him for future opportunities.  

“At PAK’nSAVE, we’re big on investing in our people, providing career pathways, and growing talent,” Amanda says.  

“We want to see what’s possible for anyone with ambition and drive and we work closely with our people to make sure they’re equipped with everything they need to achieve their goals.”  

With 240 team members and a large volume of customers through the store daily, Cliff’s dedication, work ethic, and innovation have made an impact on the Rotorua store, she says. 

Cliff’s leadership has been instrumental in streamlining operations at the store, creating a stronger team and improving the customer experience. His efforts have also extended to mentoring staff, implementing a 90-day training plan for new team members, and encouraging a culture of inclusivity and diversity. 

“I would encourage anyone who’s thinking about a career to look at Foodstuffs and PAK’nSAVE. If I had known what I know now about the pathways available in this industry, I would’ve started sooner.”