Key Takeaways: What Career Growth Can Look Like at Americold
- Growth comes in many different forms, from entry-level warehouse positions to specialized engineering roles.
- Taking on new responsibilities and finding solutions to complex problems helped both associates grow as leaders.
- Supportive teams, trusted leaders, and opportunities to learn have played important roles in both careers.
At Americold, there's no single path to success. Just ask Chimera Edwards-Cooper and Vee Pareek, two Americold New Zealand associates who were recently recognized as finalists in the New Zealand Cold Storage Association (NZCSA) Emerging Leaders Awards.
Their journeys couldn't have started more differently. Chimera began her Americold career over 15 years ago as a warehouse picker. Vee joined in 2020, bringing a background in manufacturing engineering and a desire to explore a new industry.
Both hold leadership positions today that help keep Americold's operations moving forward.
We caught up with Chimera and Vee to learn about their career journeys and what they've learned about building meaningful careers in the cold chain.
Meet Chimera Edwards-Cooper: From Warehouse Picker to Operations Manager at Americold
Q: How can someone grow from an entry-level warehouse role into leadership at Americold?
Chimera: My journey started over 15 years ago, moving through warehouse aisles and picking stock for our customers.
At the time, I didn't necessarily realize how important that role was to the bigger picture. Looking back now, I understand how much every position contributes.
I later progressed into inventory control. After a few years, I became increasingly interested in operations and started thinking more seriously about where I wanted my career to go.
I went on to become an Operations Supervisor, Operations Team Manager, and Inventory Manager. And three years ago, I was promoted to Operations Manager in Auckland. It's a journey I'm incredibly proud of.
Chimera's experience is one example of how careers can evolve over time. Learn more about growth and development opportunities at Americold.
Q: What's one challenge that helped shape you as a leader?
Chimera: Our facility expansion in 2021 stands out, when our customer base grew from three to around 25. In a short time, we went from approximately 7,000 pallet positions to 36,500. It was a huge transition, especially during COVID. We faced staffing challenges, increasing volumes, and a lot of uncertainty.
What made the difference was teamwork. Associates from across New Zealand and Australia came together to support us. Being part of that expansion, from setting up the facility to bringing on new customers and supporting our teams, is something I'll always be proud of.
Q: After more than 15 years, what keeps you at Americold?
Chimera: Americold has given me opportunities to grow, not just professionally but personally, too.
I've worked alongside incredible people and leaders who have supported my development. We've built a strong, collaborative team, and that's a big reason I'm still here.
Chimera isn't alone in building a lasting career at Americold. See what keeps associates at Americold New Zealand for 40 years.
Meet Vee Pareek: Building an Engineering Career in the Cold Chain
Q: Can you transition into cold storage from another industry? What brought you to Americold?
Vee: Absolutely. I joined Americold in 2020, shortly after completing my master's degree at the University of Auckland.
Before that, I worked in manufacturing engineering, but I wanted to transition into logistics and cold storage. Americold offered me an opportunity to do exactly that.
I started as a Maintenance Team Leader, and after nearly two years, I moved into a Facilities Manager role at one of our largest distribution centers in New Zealand.
Today, I'm responsible for engineering and facilities across multiple locations. I've gone from fixing things on the floor to thinking about long-term engineering assets, capital investments, and strategies across an entire network.
And every step has given me a wider perspective.
Q: What's a project you're particularly proud of?
Vee: One that stands out involved a major freezer-floor issue at our facility in Auckland.
We were dealing with something called floor heave, which happens when water beneath a freezer floor freezes, expands, and pushes the floor upward. It can damage the facility and disrupt operations.
We developed an approach using underground drainage channels that allowed operations to continue while we addressed the problem.
The project worked and our team successfully brought the floor back to its original level. Through our teamwork we avoided a major operational disruption and significantly reduced costs.
That project was recognized by our Asia Pacific Managing Director, and it's something I'm incredibly proud of.
Q: What has surprised you most about your career growth?
Vee: How much opportunity there is to grow in different directions.
I started as a team leader, and within six years, I was managing engineering and facilities responsibilities across multiple sites.
With each new responsibility, I've learned more about working with different teams and making decisions that benefit the business.
Two Journeys. A Shared Recognition.
Q: You were both named finalists in the NZCSA Emerging Leaders Awards. What did that recognition mean to you?
Chimera: It meant a great deal. More than the recognition itself, it reflected the trust, support, and confidence my leaders have placed in me.
When someone asks why you think you've been nominated, sometimes you don't know how to answer. But when your leader starts talking about everything you've accomplished, you realize just how far you've come.
Vee: It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities of managing multiple sites without stopping to recognize what all that work adds up to.
For me, it was recognition of the consistency, hard work, and trust I've built with my team and leaders.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering a career at Americold?
Chimera: Leadership isn't about being the person who makes all the decisions. It's about leading by example, listening, building trust, and making people feel valued and supported.
Vee: If you put in the time, show resilience, and take on challenges, people notice. You can discover opportunities you might not have expected.
Want to hear more from Americold leaders? Read Own Your Path: Leadership from Within featuring others have embraced new opportunities and built confidence at Americold.
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