Pamela J Uren
Pamela Uren, MBA, is a Strategic Category Manager with extensive experience in the grocery retail and consumer packaged goods industry. With over 20 years of expertise, she specializes in category management, vendor relations, multicultural market strategy, and profit-and-loss oversight. Pamela has a proven track record of driving growth and profitability across center store grocery, health and beauty care, and multicultural segments, leveraging her skills in team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and promotional planning to deliver measurable results.
Pamela holds an Executive MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Marketing Management from Concordia University-St. Paul, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Throughout her career, she has held key positions at Roundy’s Supermarkets, Marsh Supermarkets, and FSA Merchandising, consistently leading initiatives that optimize inventory management, improve merchandising execution, and strengthen vendor partnerships. Her approach combines strategic insight with a hands-on understanding of operations, ensuring that both internal teams and external partners achieve excellence.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Pamela is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She has volunteered with organizations such as End Hunger, Tunnels to Towers, Wisconsin Humane Society, and Feeding America, and actively supports initiatives that empower employees, strengthen communities, and promote responsible corporate citizenship. Outside of work, she enjoys boating, shooting sports, and spending time with her English Bulldog and Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix, balancing her professional focus with personal interests and family life.
• MBA (Executive)
• University of St. Thomas – Executive MBA
• Concordia University-St. Paul – Bachelor’s degree, Marketing/Marketing Management
• Magna Cum Laude (Concordia University-St. Paul)
• Server, End Hunger (community food programs)
• Donations/support for veterans via Tunnels to Towers
• Support of Wisconsin Humane Society initiatives
• Participation in Feeding America and holiday donation initiatives
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to build strong relationships, prioritize accountability, and stay results-driven in every aspect of my work. Focusing on people—both customers and team members—has consistently allowed me to achieve sustainable growth and profitability.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always document your wins and take ownership of your contributions. Understand how organizational processes, like budget cycles and performance reviews, affect outcomes, so you can proactively create opportunities for leverage and advancement.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Focus on building relationships with vendors, team members, and customers. Learn to negotiate effectively and understand that your success is shaped as much by collaboration and communication as by technical skills or metrics.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities lies in leveraging multicultural insights to meet the evolving needs of diverse consumers. Challenges include adapting to rapid changes in supply chain management, digital retail tools, and inventory systems while maintaining profitable growth.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value integrity, accountability, and results-driven leadership in my work. In my personal life, I prioritize family, giving back to the community, and staying engaged in activities that promote wellbeing for others.