Meet Andrew Pierce, Mondelēz's Customer Operations Lead Driving Success

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Looking for career inspiration? Discover Andrew Pierce, Customer Operations Lead - Kroger, at Mondelēz International. His journey highlights continuous learning, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to forging lasting partnerships. Starting as a Leadership Development Associate, Andrew consistently embraced new challenges and delivered meaningful impact.

Get ready to draw inspiration from his path and advice for emerging leaders.

How has Mondelēz supported your professional growth and development throughout your career?

I always joke that the best thing I received early in my career is the opportunity to fail safely. By that, I mean being given ownership and the chance to make a real impact while still being supported along the way. After graduation, friends shared how they spent their first one or two years waiting for meaningful responsibility. In my opinion being able to truly own something and make mistakes is how we grow as individuals and professionals.

Working in an environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities, and support is always available, has given me the space to grow. I have also been fortunate to have countless mentors who have helped me navigate new situations, offered different perspectives, while allowing me to make my own decisions.

What attracted you to the Leadership Development Associate (LDA) program, and how did it prepare you for future roles?

Coming out of school, I knew I was interested in sales but wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to focus. The Leadership Development Associate program allowed me to gain real working experience across numerous areas of the organization which ultimately helped me narrow down my interests. The program helped prepare me for my future roles by giving me a strong foundation. The field-first structure allowed me to learn the business from the ground up. I still rely on those experiences every day and am grateful for the foundation they provided. Early exposure to multiple functions gave me a broad perspective that continues to be incredibly valuable.

What leadership principles guide your actions and decisions at Mondelēz?

A people-first mindset, humility, and respect guide my daily actions. Ask any Mondelēz employee what they value most, and the answer is usually the people. We spend a significant amount of time at work, so taking care of the people around you is critical.

Humility is another big part of my leadership approach. I never want to be "above" a task or ask someone to do something I wouldn't do myself. I hold others to a high standard, but it's never higher than the one I hold myself to. People respect leaders who are willing to put in the effort alongside their teams.

In your opinion, what makes a strong and successful partnership between Mondelēz and Kroger?

Trust is the foundation of any strong partnership. Customers value consistency and reliability, whether in delivering results or following through on commitments. By providing actionable plans and creative solutions that drive mutual growth, we strengthen those relationships. We often focus on the triple win- what’s best for the customer, the consumer, and our business.

When the triple win becomes your North Star, partnerships naturally deepen because customers know their priorities truly matter.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

In my first role after the LDA program, my manager went on paternity leave shortly after I started. I felt overwhelmed at first.

With support from strong leaders, plus some patience and grace for myself, I realized no one expects expertise on day one. I slowed things down and tackled responsibilities one step at a time. Compartmentalizing tasks has been a valuable approach ever since. Staying level-headed and knowing when to ask for help can get you through almost any challenge. At the end of the day, it’s just cookies and crackers.

How do you measure success in customer operations?

Success shows up in two ways. First, quantifiable impacts like incremental revenue from programs or reduced product waste through better execution- where success is clear: What was the goal, and how did results measure up?

Second one is more intangible, this includes how my actions make work easier for others. Did I give my buyers what they need for smooth execution? Did I remove barriers from the field team? These behind-the-scenes improvements are often the difference-makers that drive long-term results.

What does "customer operations" mean in your role? What does a typical week look like?

My role focuses on building strong plans across my Kroger divisions and ensuring best-in-class execution in partnership with our retail teams. That means I need to have clear standards outlined for our retail teams to help improve day-to-day operations. A large part of my role is also identifying opportunities and partnering back with the team to put corrective plans in place.

No two days are the same, but the exciting part is that I get to partner with numerous functions within the organization. From sales to logistics and shopper marketing, operations role really touches each. My geography spans from Wisconsin through Ohio, so I spend a lot of time traveling. I typically spend three days in the field reviewing execution and meeting with customers, and the remaining two days I focus more on planning and administrative work.

How do you maintain work-life balance?

Prioritization is key. It’s easy to let personal goals slip if you are not intentional. I am passionate about endurance sports and often train 15-20 hours a week alongside work. Having a race on the calendar keeps me accountable.

I apply the same idea to other areas of my life. My friends and I create seasonal bucket lists, so we always have something to look forward to. One of the best pieces of advice I received early in my career was "Be where your feet are". When you are at work, focus on your responsibilities and the impact you want to make. When you are off, be fully present whether that's time off, cooking dinner or spending time with friends. You can't be your best if you are burning the candle at both ends.