How Ahold Delhaize USA Sets Employees Up for Career Growth
There are many reasons why people who join Ahold Delhaize USA as a co-op often decide to stay at the company full time.
For Sid Konka, it comes down to three cultural cornerstones: innovation, continuous learning and leadership development. After working as a business intelligence developer co-op at the company, he eventually transitioned into a full-time role as a solutions engineer in 2015, and since then, he has held several leadership roles, culminating in his current position as director of IT master data engineering.
Throughout his time at the company, Konka has had the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technologies in data analytics, AI and cloud infrastructure while building strong cross-functional partnerships, enabling him to play a key role in driving change across the company.
“These experiences have not only sharpened my professional skills but also aligned closely with my aspirations to be at the forefront of technological transformation in the retail sector,” Konka said.
Odile Ducatez also pursued her professional dreams at Ahold Delhaize USA after joining the company’s European division as a co-op with the infrastructure team based in Belgium. Upon moving to the United States in 2012, she continued her Ahold Delhaize journey, finding inspiration in Deb Dixon, who served as Chief Information Officer for the company at the time.
With guidance from Dixon and others, Ducatez has learned what it takes to be a woman leader in a male-dominated field, finding the confidence to share her opinions and shape the trajectory of major business decisions.
“Whether that’s asking questions or contributing to the task at hand, I embrace who I am and what my expertise brings to the table,” she said.
Both Konka and Ducatez have benefited from Ahold Delhaize USA’s empowering, growth-focused culture, finding the encouragement and opportunities to grow into the leaders they are today.
Read on to see what else Konka and Ducatez had to say about their career journeys, the impact of working at Ahold Delhaize USA and the career lessons they’ve learned over the years.
About Ahold Delhaize USA
Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of global food retailer Ahold Delhaize, is part of the U.S. family of brands, which also includes five leading omnichannel grocery brands: Food Lion, The GIANT Company, Giant Food, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. When considered together, the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast and the fourth largest in the nation, serving 26 million omnichannel customers each week. The company supports these brands by providing a wide range of services, from finance and sustainability to e-commerce technology development.
Sid Konka’s Career Growth Journey at Ahold Delhaize USA
Give us a snapshot of your career so far.
My career in retail technology has been a journey of steady growth, discovery and a genuine enthusiasm for transforming how technology empowers retail organizations. It all started with a co-op at Ahold Delhaize USA as a business intelligence developer co-op, which was a pivotal experience that ignited my interest in the fast-paced environment of technology teams within this sector. Joining full time as a solutions engineer in May 2015, I started by delivering executive dashboards and supporting analytics platforms, then quickly expanded into big data and cloud projects.
My dedication led to a promotion as technical principal, where I was solution architect for our Azure-based data platform. This leadership paved the way for stretch assignments in leading data workstreams for supply chain transformation and ultimately advanced me to director-level roles in data architecture and machine learning operations, leading to my current role. Today, I lead the master data engineering team, where we design, implement and support master data applications spanning customer, vendor, product and location domains to optimize and deliver data for operational efficiency.
How does working for Ahold Delhaize USA help you make progress toward your career goals?
Working for Ahold Delhaize USA has been instrumental in advancing my career goals by providing a dynamic environment that encourages innovation, continuous learning and leadership development. The organization’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies in data analytics, AI and cloud infrastructure has enabled me to expand my technical expertise and take on challenging projects that directly impact business outcomes. Additionally, the culture of collaboration and support has allowed me to build strong cross-functional partnerships, further enhancing my ability to lead diverse teams and drive meaningful change within the company. These experiences have not only sharpened my professional skills but also aligned closely with my aspirations to be at the forefront of technological transformation in the retail sector.
How have you grown professionally at Ahold Delhaize USA? What skills have you learned, and what stretch projects have you taken on?
I have experienced significant professional growth by embracing new responsibilities and continually expanding my skill set. I have deepened my expertise in master data management, data integration, middleware, microservices, data analytics, enterprise resource planning transformations and AI/ML technologies, while also strengthening my abilities in cloud computing and scalable platform architecture. Leading cross-functional teams on major initiatives, including the development of enterprise-wide master data platforms and the implementation of advanced analytics solutions, has challenged me to think strategically and deliver innovative results. These stretch projects have not only enhanced my technical and leadership skills but also empowered me to drive impactful change within the organization.
What makes Ahold Delhaize USA a unique place to work from a professional development perspective?
Ahold Delhaize USA stands out as a unique place for professional development, thanks to its strong culture built around learning, innovation and leadership. Leaders here are genuinely invested in our growth; they’re always willing to coach, mentor and guide us through new challenges. Personally, having access to mentors has made a real difference, especially when navigating tough tasks or resolving conflict, and this support has been key to my success leading and delivering projects.
“Leaders here are genuinely invested in our growth; they’re always willing to coach, mentor and guide us through new challenges.”
The company actively encourages us to keep building our skills, providing dedicated platforms and time for technology and leadership training. I’ve been able to earn my Azure Solution Architect Certifications and take part in programs like Franklin Covey’s Critical Principles of Leadership and Harvard Business Publishing’s Leading with Purpose, all thanks to the organization’s sponsorship and support. These opportunities have helped me broaden my perspective and strengthen my technical and leadership capabilities. This environment, combined with chances to lead high-impact initiatives, has played a pivotal role in my ongoing growth and career progression.
How are leaders involved in the career development of direct reports? What opportunities are available for mentorship or growth?
At Ahold Delhaize USA, leaders are genuinely invested in the career development of direct reports, actively supporting growth through regular coaching, mentoring and guidance. We make it a priority to connect with associates one on one, discussing career goals and providing helpful feedback. There is a strong commitment to having individual development goals for every associate, and these facilitate access to stretch assignments or cross-functional projects. This playbook helped me with my career progression.
Mentorship is a core part of the culture, and I say for mentorship to be successful, it’s on the associates to go in prepared, and the mentors will guide and coach as needed. The company also offers frequent workshops, leadership training sessions and support for industry certifications, ensuring employees can build both their technical and leadership capabilities. Informally, leaders encourage open communication and knowledge-sharing, creating an environment where team members feel empowered to ask questions, seek advice and continually advance their careers.
How has joining Ahold Delhaize USA positively impacted your professional and/or personal journey?
Joining the company has been a truly positive experience for me, both professionally and personally. I’ve grown a lot by working on exciting projects and stepping into leadership roles, which has helped me learn and make real contributions. On a personal level, the supportive and inclusive culture has made me feel like I belong and encouraged me to keep pushing myself. “Care” and “Humor” have been values of the organization, which make the work environment even more joyful. Overall, being here has boosted my confidence and helped me develop in ways that go far beyond just my job.
The Keys to Continuous Learning
Konka said that Ahold Delhaize USA fosters a focus on continuous learning by encouraging associates to engage with online courses, webinars and peer sessions, all of which enable them to stay up to date on the latest industry trends and technological advancements. Empowered by these opportunities, he recently took part in an intensive course on generative AI, which allowed him to create a tool that uses Google’s Gemini to evaluate the nutritional quality of any meal or packaged food based solely on an image. “This commitment to learning and collaboration is key to both our team’s success and my professional development,” Konka said.
How does the culture of growth and career development show up across teams at Ahold Delhaize USA? How does that focus lead to big personal or professional wins across the company?
Growth and career development are at the heart of the work culture at Ahold Delhaize USA, where there are formal processes in the annual review cycles providing opportunities to define individual development goals and discuss career aspirations with respective leaders. Leaders and teams act as “One Entity, One Team” when it comes to delivering what’s at hand. Because leaders encourage us to try new things and take on stretch assignments, I’ve been able to grow my skills and confidence. I have had the privilege to lead many such initiatives like data modernization and migration to cloud, data workstreams for supply chain transformation and supporting some critical dependencies for finance transformation, and was able to showcase my ability to lead and deliver those as part of a stretch assignment, which helped me grow. Throughout, I received stakeholders’ and leaders’ support and coaching.
How are you continuing to grow in your career? What challenges are you taking on next, and what are you hoping to accomplish?
I am continuing to grow in my career by seeking out new challenges and proactively expanding both my technical and leadership skill sets. At present, I am deeply involved in making our master data systems more efficient; my focus has been on stabilizing master data processes to create a robust foundation to enable our critical priorities. Simultaneously, I am working on embedding AI and exploring innovative ways of working within master data. By introducing intelligent automation and advanced analytics, my aim is to unlock deeper insights and elevate the quality of our data-driven decisions. These initiatives not only stretch my expertise in data management and AI but also foster a culture of continuous improvement within my team.
Looking ahead, I am excited to lead a high-visibility transformation project and continue to mentor junior colleagues who are eager to grow. I am also preparing to pursue an executive certification to further develop my strategic leadership skills. Through these efforts, I hope to deliver measurable results for the organization, shape impactful business outcomes and help foster a culture of innovation and growth across the company.
Odile Ducatez’s Career Growth Journey at Ahold Delhaize USA
Where does your career journey begin, and how does it grow?
My journey began as a co-op with the infrastructure team in Belgium. Through a commitment to learning and contributing to our local brands, I took on increasing responsibilities within IT infrastructure and seized an international assignment in the United States. My curiosity and drive to expand my skill set led me to work across multiple IT areas, ultimately evolving into my current role as the leader of the IT data and analytics team at Ahold Delhaize USA. My experience is actually quite common in our organization, beginning a career as a co-op, intern and trainee and staying to build a career with our organization. We are very proud of that!
When it comes to career growth, how do you believe it is different between men and women as well as other minority groups?
When I started in infrastructure 28 years ago, I was often the only woman in the room, and there was no female IT leader that I could look up to or seek advice from. It took me a few years to realize that I didn’t have to be “one of the guys” to be successful, but it took me hiring my first female team member in our infrastructure team to push me to finally bring my full authentic self to work. She mentioned to me that she was looking at me as her role model, and I certainly didn’t want her to believe she had to change who she was to be successful. That realization made me more confident and more vocal about my interests and aspirations, like an expatriation assignment or leading key IT projects.
When I moved to the United States in 2012, I had the opportunity to work for a female leader, Deb Dixon, who was the U.S. Chief Information Officer at the time, and I learned a lot from her: how to balance care and empathy with excellent delivery and successes, and technical ability with strong business acumen. As a female leader in a male-dominated field, you often need to prove yourself every time you enter a new room or join a new team, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t speak up, which is what I do. Whether that’s asking questions or contributing to the task at hand, I embrace who I am and what my expertise brings to the table.
What do you believe is the value of intentional hiring?
It’s incredibly important. At Ahold Delhaize USA, thriving people are an integral part of delivering our “Growing Together” strategy. We value the richness of people’s experiences, perspectives and potential, and we embrace a wide range of backgrounds and career paths that consider not just technical skills but also cultural fit and potential for growth.
“We value the richness of people’s experiences, perspectives and potential, and we embrace a wide range of backgrounds and career paths that consider not just technical skills but also cultural fit and potential for growth.”
How do you create a hiring system that avoids natural bias? Can you give any advice on practical approaches?
Ahold Delhaize USA is committed to being a workplace where associates can succeed and thrive. This includes offering a welcoming environment and a workplace that is open to everyone. In all that we do, we are committed to equal opportunities for employment. Our recruiting teams leverage structured and transparent processes, including things like standardized interview questions and hiring panels that bring in multiple perspectives.
If you were speaking to your younger self, what would you tell them to do differently?
Ask a lot of questions, and be curious about the answers. Listen carefully even if you believe you already know the answer. Be confident about your skills and your capacity to learn. Focus on building a network of colleagues, both internally and externally, who can help you adjust to your role while also supporting your career. Find a mentor who can help you develop your skills and pay it forward by mentoring others as soon as possible.
What’s the key to getting — and keeping — your seat at the table?
Securing and maintaining a seat at the table requires a blend of technical expertise, the ability to build strong relationships and a mindset of adaptability. Consistently delivering results, fostering collaboration and staying curious are key to long-term success.
Leveraging mentorship, formal and informal, has been and is part of my growth as an individual and as a leader. I have been blessed to have people along the way who took interest in me and wanted to help me become my best self. They created a space for me to be vulnerable about where I was, shared potential opportunities, and gifted me with their valuable time, experiences and advice.
Early in my career, as well as during big transitions, like starting a new role or taking an international assignment, I sought specific mentors who had similar experiences to guide and advise me. I also leveraged my network for more informal mentoring to get feedback and find a sounding board. It allowed me to get different points of view but also to find the best person to answer specific questions or describe an opportunity.
I’ve had the chance to mentor and coach very talented individuals throughout my career and continue to do so. It is my way to repay the time that was invested in me by others, and it is also an incredible way to continue to grow myself. When you are guiding someone, their questions and perspectives keep you fresh and force you to assess what contributed to your successes or failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of career paths does Ahold Delhaize USA offer?
Associates often begin in co-op or entry-level roles and subsequently transition into full-time, increasingly senior positions. For example, Sid Konka started as a business intelligence developer co-op, moved into solutions engineering, then technical principal, and now serves as Director of IT Master Data Engineering.
How does the company support professional development?
The culture emphasizes innovation, continuous learning and leadership development. Associates are encouraged to work on advanced technologies (AI, cloud, data analytics), engage in stretch assignments, and build strong cross-functional partnerships. Leaders provide coaching, mentoring and visibility into new opportunities.
What specific development opportunities exist?
Employees have access to certifications (e.g., Azure Solution Architect), leadership programs (e.g., Harvard Business Publishing’s Leading with Purpose), peer and mentor networks, and opportunities to take on projects in data architecture, AI/ML, supply chain transformation and more.
What makes the culture unique for growth?
Growth at Ahold Delhaize USA is driven by values like Care, Humor, Courage, Integrity and Teamwork. The organization fosters high-trust, ambitious yet supportive environments where employees feel empowered to stretch, lead and impact meaningful business outcomes.
How does leadership involvement support individual growth?
Leaders actively engage in mentoring and coaching. They help associates define individual development goals, connect with stretch assignments, provide feedback, and create real opportunities for growth—especially for diverse voices. For example, Odile Ducatez leveraged mentorship under a female CIO to build confidence and leadership presence in a male-dominated field.
