Path of Progress Intern Feature: Ryan Rieta
As we look for interns to join our team this summer, we wanted to highlight some team members who started in that role at Harbor, and went on to start their professional careers.
Path Of Progress

Path of Progress Intern Feature: Ryan Rieta

April 19, 2022

How did your internship experience at Harbor prepare you for your professional career?

The internship experience helped me learn the importance of building an effective report that everyone can understand. I learned that it’s not about how much data you have, but rather it’s about how can you make the data accessible to everyone. Having numbers is a great tool to have but unless you are able to break it down for others to use then it will not be useful. In my current role I am always building and maintaining reports that are used across multiple departments. Each time I build a new report I always pull from my past experiences as an intern.

What was the most important thing you learned from your time interning?

The most valuable thing I learned was how each department fits within the operation. The internship program allowed me to meet with many people in different roles in the business. I spoke and learned from people in just about every department. Understanding how every department worked helped me see the entire picture of the operation.

What roles have you held at Harbor?

  • Order Selector pick mods for two summers
  • Operations Intern
  • Quality Assurance Coordinator
  • Quality Assurance and Safety Coordinator (Same position as above, but just added workplace safety to my role)

What is the most important piece of advice for having a successful career at Harbor?

The most important piece of advice that I can give someone would be to never be afraid of making a mistake. Harbor is a great working environment that will allow you to used missed opportunities as a chance to grow and learn in your career.

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Posted on: April 19, 2022
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.
Posted on: April 19, 2022
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.