Resource Center

Through Chelsea's years at Harbor, she started as a Replenishment Buyer for Candy/Beverage in July of 2011, working various roles in between, and moving to her current role as Brands Manager. Q: How long have you been with Harbor? A: 11 years Q: What roles have you held at Harbor? A: Replenishment buyer for candy/beverage, Category Manager for: beverage, cooler, frozen, grocery edible, grocery non-edible, grab & go, snacks, then Brands Manager. Q: How did you make the transition from where you started to where you are now? A: I took the time to listen and learn. By watching how others went about things, I observed what worked and what didn't and learned what effective communication looks like. By trying a lot of different types of systems, processes, tasks, strategies, I learned not only what my strengths are, but what I enjoy the most. Q: What do you think is the most important quality to have to get your career started at Harbor? A: Being proactive. Don't wait for someone to tell you to do something. If something needs doing, do it. Look for ways to improve things. Can things be done more efficiently or effectively? If so, then put a plan together. Don't be shy about sharing your ideas. Even if your suggestion can't be implemented for some reason, it shows that you are motivated (one of our Harbor values!) and can think outside the box. Q: Any advice for advancing your career at Harbor? A: I think for the most successful folks, advancement for the sake of a title change or "climbing the ladder" is not the main objective in showing up for work every day. Instead, it is almost more of a byproduct. If you dedicate yourself to doing your job to the best of your ability, show you are willing to learn and solve problems, treat others how you would want to be treated, you're bound to go places.

Jeremy's Path of Progress is unique in that he transitioned roles within a short amount of time at Harbor! Q: How did you make the transition from where you started to where you are now? A: Having the work experience from prior employers, an understanding of Harbor's processes, and an intimate knowledge of the dispensed beverage segment helped me make the transition into the role I am in currently. Q: Any advice for advancing your career at Harbor? A: Communicate with all departments within the company, and learn as much as you can about how we go to market and how the business is ran. People will always be the most important part of Harbor, however, understanding the processes of how we do business will help to not only advance your career, but also to make recommendations on how to improve upon what is already in place. Team members are trusted to make business decisions, so learning as much as you can about our business will give you the knowledge to make educated decisions. Q: What roles have you held at Harbor? A: Foodservice Sales Developer from January 2020 - March 2021 to my current role as a Beverage Foodservice Program Manager Q: What do you think is the most important quality to have to get your career started at Harbor? A: When starting a career with Harbor, the company values are instilled immediately. Genuine. Motivated. Resourceful. Friendly. All of these qualities are important when starting a career with Harbor. Being genuine and friendly allows for strong relationships to be built with team members and customers alike. Being motivated to truly be "obsessed with our customers success" sets us apart from all of the competition, and allows for Harbor, its team members, and our customers to succeed. Being resourceful and continuing to learn new skills and processes to better yourself and the company will make you a true asset to Harbor from your start date. All of our values are important for different reasons, but they all are part of the roadmap to success within Harbor.

Selected just for you. Harbor Plus is our cross-dock program that allows you to access inventory from our partner warehouses to ship to you on one Harbor truck with your regular delivery. This program gives you access to thousands of restaurant quality foodservice items! Access MORE with Harbor Plus More Restaurant Quality Products Quality Produce Extensive Foodservice Selection On Demand Deli Items Premium Quality Proteins Expansive Programs Enhanced Menu Offerings Choice Ingredients One order. One truck. Reduced Cost. Access to More. Contact your Sales Rep today to learn more about Harbor Plus!

Certified Food Protection Manager (which begins enforcement, March 1st, 2023) is part of Washington State's 2022 update to the retail food code that requires every foodservice operation to have at least one person trained and certified as someone with "Active Managerial Control". In this interview, our Restaurant Consultant, Andy Cook sits down with Washington State DOH's Public Health Advisor, Susan Shelton to discuss in plain speak what many restaurant operators are wondering: -Where does one go to receive certification? -What skills and knowhow will certification impart? -How does a foodservice operation ensure compliance? -What responsibilities will a Certified Food Protection Manager have? -How will this affect our relationship with our local health inspector? Listen To The Podcast Here

Leon has worked various roles at Harbor, starting as a Stocker and working diligently to achieve his current role as Warehouse Manager. Q: How did you make the transition from where you started to where you are now? A: My career in grocery wholesale started with a company that Harbor later acquired. While there I went from order selection to stocking, and then on to delivery driver. I had a brief hiatus to pursue an opportunity driving elsewhere.  I returned after hearing how much Harbor had improved the operation, and incentivized hard work. Since then I have continued to learn and have always wanted more. I guess you could say I like a challenge, and here we are! Q: How long have you been with Harbor? A: It will be 15 short years on March 5th 2023 Q: Any advice for advancing your career at Harbor? A: My advice is to be a continuous learner. Ask questions and get involved. Take on more and be proud to do so, and when more is asked of you take it as a compliment. Q: What roles have you held at Harbor? A: Stocker, Delivery Driver, Receiver, Supervisor, A.M. Warehouse Manager, and currently Warehouse Manager.

Through his years at Harbor, Adam worked in various roles, starting as a Delivery Driver and moving to his current role as a Transportation Manager. Q. How did you make the transition from where you started to where you are now?   A. My first role at Harbor was a full-time delivery driver out of the Tumwater, WA warehouse, which later moved to the current Lacey, WA warehouse.  I worked as a delivery driver for 10 years and enjoyed working directly with our customers and salesreps.  After we moved to the Lacey warehouse, I showed interest in moving up within the company and into a management position, but I wasn’t selected.  I guess it wasn’t the right time.  A management opportunity came available later, but it required relocating my family to the Marysville, WA area.  After taking that initial step, I began to learn new things about Harbor and the operations and continued advancing throughout different roles, to where I am now. Q. How long have you been with Harbor?  A. Feb 2023 will be 17 years. Q. Any advice for advancing your career at Harbor?  A. Stay true to Harbor’s core values of being genuine, motivated, resourceful, and friendly.  There are a lot of opportunities within Harbor to advance because the company is continually growing.  Advancing within the company will require constant improvement because there are a lot of things to learn about an operation. Q. What roles have you held at Harbor? A. Feb 2006- Delivery driver- Tumwater, WA and Lacey, WA July 2016- North Area Driver supervisor- Mount Vernon and Everett, WA July 2018- Dispatch supervisor- Lacey, WA April 2019- Driver supervisor- Lacey, WA March 2021- Assistant transportation manager- Lacey, WA July 2022- Transportation manager- Lacey, WA Q. What do you think is the most important quality to have to get your career started at Harbor? A. I think the most important quality is being friendly and working with others.  Harbor is a family, and a family is a team.  Working together as a team is extremely important. 

Today, Harbor Wholesale, the Northwest's top family-owned, independent distributor, acquired Modesto, CA-based MTC Distributing Co. The combined 200 years of market leadership forms the premier customer-focused and family-owned distribution company on the West Coast. Justin Erickson, Harbor Foods' CEO and 4th generation owner, states, "this is an incredible opportunity to bring our family companies together into the 4th generation and beyond, maintaining and enhancing the culture that's made MTC and Harbor successful for a century. MTC celebrated 100 years in 2021, and Harbor will join them in 2023. We look forward to entering our next 100 years with an incredible team of industry professionals who share common values and a similar obsession with our customers' success." Tom Eakin, CEO & 3rd generation owner of MTC Distributing said, "with the industry constantly evolving; we are taking the opportunity to bring two like-minded, independent companies together. I trust Harbor to carry on the MTC legacy and provide the solutions our retail and foodservice customers need today and into the future. Harbor's extensive experience in foodservice, branded programs, fresh foods, and innovative marketing and technology will allow our incredible team to bring even greater value to our customers." The combined companies operate four distribution centers on the West Coast, servicing customers from the Canadian border to just north of L.A., CA. With more than $1 Billion of collective purchasing power, Harbor and MTC are well equipped to offer competitive programs to customers while generating strong returns to reinvest in facilities, technology, and innovative solutions for our customers. MTC Distributing will remain independently operated in Modesto, with the current leadership team in place. Tom Eakin remains with the new company in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition and continued commitment to team members and customers. About Harbor Wholesale  Founded in 1923, Harbor Wholesale is dedicated to supporting the local entrepreneurs that provide jobs in their communities, bring convenience to busy lives, and invite us all to experience life around the table. Every day. Harbor is proud to have received one of the coveted 2022 Washington's Best Workplaces Awards, as well as one of Washington's Fastest-growing Private Companies. As the largest independent 4th generation family-owned distributor in the west, Harbor Wholesale now employs over 800 team members, and serves over 6,000 convenience stores, independent grocers, and quick-serve restaurants with a great selection of products. These include Harbor-owned brands held under Real Fresh Brands™, such as Mountain Fresh™, Via Vita Pizza®, Split Shift®, Watertown Craft Roasted®, Mein Street®, and Skippers®. Harbor Wholesale operates distribution centers in Lacey, WA, Portland, OR, Roseburg, OR, and the newly added Modesto, CA. Harbor Wholesale is a subsidiary of Harbor Foods. For additional information, please visit us at harborwholesale.com or harborfoods.com. Harbor Wholesale is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein. About MTC Distributing Co.   In 1921, Herbert P. Eakin founded Modesto Tobacco Company. A little over ten years later, William, Herbert's son, took over the business and renamed the company Modesto Tobacco and Candy. In 1986, the business was purchased by William's son, Tom Eakin.  Tom renamed the company MTC Distributing to reflect the significant growth in various categories. After 100 years in Modesto, MTC is looking forward to beginning a new chapter by staying true to what made them one of the largest independent distributors west of the Mississippi—remaining open to innovation, keeping the prices and products competitive, and putting the customers' satisfaction first. For additional information, please visit us at mtcdistributing.com.  

Through her years at Harbor, Ashley has worked in different roles within the Warehouse and eventually transitioned to her current role as an Accounts Payable Clerk. Q: How did you make the transition from where you started to where you are now? A: I felt like my transition was natural within the company, I knew I couldn’t jump straight into an office role when I had no experience about the company or about food distribution in general. My only work experience was retail and being a barista. When looking to advance, I looked for positions I believed I was qualified for while achieving what I was looking for. My time working in the warehouse has certainly helped me in my office positions as I know the process of the outflow of product as well as the incoming. I am able to share my knowledge with my teams and help answer questions when the come up. Q: How long have you been with Harbor? A: I have been with Harbor for 5.5 years, I started in April of 2017 when I was 19! Q: What roles have you held at Harbor? A: I started in the Warehouse printing Tags as well as being an Order Selector. From there I moved to an inventory role on the PM shift, followed by a change to the AM Receiving Team. From there I decided I would like to be in an office role so I moved to a Customer Service Position. I then transitioned to a position as the Accounting Admin Assistant and my most recent position is an Accounts Payable Clerk. Q: What do you think is the most important quality to have to get your career started at Harbor? A: I think the most important quality to have is the desire to learn and try new things. I love learning and am always willing to take on more work if I am able to. Harbor has changed so much in the short amount of time that I have been here, I have loved getting to work with new people in different department and seeing how other positions relate to each other as I continue to progress within the company.