Her Story
About Denise
Denise Andrade serves as Senior Category Manager at Sprouts in Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on dairy categories such as milk, eggs, butter, and cottage cheese. She entered the grocery retail industry in 2013, beginning in store positions before advancing to category management roles with Sprouts in 2017. Her path included several years managing the vitamin category, driven by her interest in nutrition and background in nutrition science. After initially studying nutrition science, Andrade returned to education in 2018, earning a biomedical sciences degree in 2022 and completing her first year of medical school at the University of Arizona before returning to Sprouts in 2024 in her current dairy role. She attributes her professional success to principles developed from personal challenges in her 20s, which she applies through a commitment to honesty, transparency, and direct communication in her work. Andrade values mentoring and advises young women entering the male-dominated grocery field to seek strong female mentors, pursue desired opportunities, and remain authentic.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Denise
01What do you attribute your success to?
Some things that I've been through in my personal life in the past. The things I've had to do to fix that have given me a strong foundation of principles that I live by, and I apply it to my work. Rough time in my 20s.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Mostly just to show up. In the end, kind of let people know where you would like to go, they can help you get there.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Find a strong female mentor who can help them navigate. Grocery is particularly male-dominated. Go for the opportunities that they would like to go for. And not be afraid to be yourself, personality-wise.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and transparency. I can't personally operate and then professionally operate in two different ways. People know me as being very direct and clear and transparent, and they can trust me.
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