HQ Buyer Named Category Manager of the Year by Industry Magazine

“I take what we have today and find ways to make the Express even better for Soldiers, Airmen and families,” Marissa Tinoco says.

Marissa Tinoco, a buyer-contracting officer in Consumables, was named a Category Manager of the Year by convenience retail magazine Convenience Store and Petroleum (CSP).

Tinoco won for the food service category, which includes Snack Avenue, fresh fruit and salads, hot beverages and quick-serve restaurants in Expresses, such as Hunt Brothers Pizza and J. Walken Chicken.

“I like finding new programs that will enhance the customer experience,” said Tinoco, who has been with the Exchange for nearly 12 years and in Consumables for the last three. “I take what we have today and find ways to make the Express even better for Soldiers, Airmen and families.”

Tinoco looks for new equipment, better processes, new food programs and quick-serve restaurant vendors to make military communities the No. 1 places to live and work.

CSP named winners for eight categories. Convenience industry suppliers nominated category managers in the fall and the top three vote-getters were named finalists. Suppliers voted to determine the winners.

“That this award is determined by our suppliers and vendors makes Marissa’s win even more impressive,” said Eric Sidman, vice president, convenience channel division. “Her hard work and professionalism has caught the attention of her peers in the industry.”

Tinoco is quick to credit to her colleagues.

“I’m just a small part of a great team,” she said. “I couldn’t do it alone and give a lot of credit to my teammates and our stores for all the work they do to execute these programs.”

This is the fifth year CSP has recognized category managers. Winners were announced at a presentation in New Orleans on Feb. 18 and will be featured in the April issue of the CSP magazine.