Graduates with Clark Associates

After 17 years in retail and corporate management, I transitioned into a sales specialist role at the Restaurant Store. I was drawn to the Restaurant Store because it is a locally owned, family run business. Additionally, I had only heard great things about working here. Currently, I share my time between the Lancaster and Philadelphia store locations trying to find new ways to improve upon what we do.

It's great to be a part of a growing company that continues to evolve to the market. It's clear to me that the leadership of the company not only values the customer but its employees too.

I began working at Clark Associates immediately after graduating from Messiah College in May 2011. Thanks to my welcoming co-workers, the transition into the real world wasn't as difficult as I had expected. I felt respected, even at my young age, and was given a lot of responsibility within the first few weeks. My current role at Clark Associates includes the pre-employment process for all the divisions and payroll for the WebstaurantStore. I enjoy the opportunity to communicate with each of our employees and assist them through their pre-hire phase, as well as the challenge of completing payroll efficiently each week. Time management, which I learned as a student athlete at Messiah, is essential in my current role.

Outside of work, Clark Associates creates opportunities to get involved in the community and to get to know my fellow co-workers through community service projects and sports leagues. My personal favorite is our soccer league. It's a fun opportunity to branch out and get to know the people that make working here great.

Even before finishing college, I knew a purchasing position at Clark Associates was an opportunity I needed to take. An internship between my junior and senior year allowed me to experience a small taste of the buyer role in which I'm currently employed. Once starting as a full time buyer, I quickly started managing vendors, negotiating prices, bringing in new product lines, and coordinating marketing campaigns to promote products. I’ve now established my own purchasing team and helped shape the growth of our consumables category.

To me, the most attractive part of working here are the endless opportunities for career growth. Through conversations with my college peers, I've discovered that these types of opportunities are hard to find, and we are fortunate to have plenty of them available here at Clark Associates.

I came to the Clark Associates companies in 2014 after several years of working in public and private accounting. Having gained exposure to many companies throughout my career, I was sold on the Clark Associates culture and company after my first interview.

Clark Associates started in 1971 and still possesses a "start-up" mentality. Employees at all levels are expected to approach their job with an entrepreneurial spirit, work with a passion for excellence, and always do the right thing. The personal values I developed at Messiah College have seamlessly aligned with the values at the Clark Associates companies. I have the honor of leading the Business Services department which includes accounting, benefits administration, and payroll for all of the Clark Associates companies. I personally enjoy the ongoing challenge of continually promoting and supporting our growth. I also look forward to enjoying the shared success of the company, and most importantly our employees, well into the future.