Control is something many covet but never fully grasp.
In a world as dynamic as ours—where the moon’s gravitational pull governs the tides, in turn influencing the Earth’s rotation and determining the cycle of day and night—there are far too many moving pieces beyond our reach.
This is one lesson produce teaches you well. Navigating the push and pull of Mother Nature, the ebb and flow of consumer demand, and the many other challenges unique to this industry is an ongoing lesson in adaptability.
Now in his 33rd year in the grocery industry, Joseph Bunting has certainly mastered this skill.
Decades of expertise, the confidence to embrace new strategies, and a commitment to offering the best shopper experience make the United Supermarkets Produce Business Director one to watch in the retail space.
Strap in for 33 years’ worth of industry lessons revealed in one insightful Q&A.
Joseph Bunting, Produce Business Director, United Supermarkets: I started sacking groceries at United Supermarkets when I was 16 years old, never thinking it would turn into a career.
Eventually, I earned the opportunity to move over to the produce department. Maybe it was the seasonality or the ever-changing aspect, but there was just something about it that drew me in. When I graduated from college with a degree in Ag Business and a degree in Marketing, United was looking for someone they could train to be a Buyer. I was fortunate enough to be selected and moved to Lubbock, Texas. I was a Buyer for 10 years before moving to the Business Manager Role. I was the first Produce Business Manager for the company before transitioning to the Director Role about 11 years ago.
What kept me around all these years were the people and the challenge this job presents. Our business can be very challenging at times due to Mother Nature and so many other factors. To me, that is what makes it fun.
JB: My role as a Business Director is obviously to hit our financial goals, but also to keep us on trend in the produce department. There have been numerous changes over the years, along with evolutions in the way we do business. There are many times I have to ask myself, “Why are we doing this?” or “What changes should we be making?”
I am not a fan of doing things the same way just because we have always done them that way in the past. Sometimes you have to take risks and try new things. My focus is always on offering the guests what they want, when they want it. If you take care of the guests’ needs, the financials will usually take care of themselves.
JB: This business is a relationship business. It is not “if” but “when” you have a problem. When you run into issues, having a great partner makes all the difference. To be a good partner, you have to work together. It can’t just be a one-sided equation, because both parties have to make money to stay in business and support each other next year. We treat partners the way we want to be treated and expect the same from them.
JB: You are not in control as much as you would like to be. You can have great plans in place, but they can be turned upside down in a hurry with a weather event, trucking issue, packaging problem—you name it. When those things happen, you have to go to plan B. I will say, you get really good at pivoting on the fly.
In addition, I have been fortunate in my career to have worked with many great leaders who have consistently preached the importance of doing the right thing. Honor your word and do what you say you are going to do. It helps build trust and a great partnership.
JB: Embrace change and take advantage of the new technologies available to you. Have fun and get involved. It’s one of the best industries out there.
Learn to adapt, embrace change, and have fun. These are the lessons we can all take away from a decades-long career like Joseph’s.
Cheers to the fresh produce industry for always being our humble teacher. 
