Celebrating 25 years working at Coca-Cola Consolidated, Lisa Spiess’ main inspiration over the years has been rooted in the development and growth opportunities Coca-Cola Consolidated provides to its Teammates.
Currently, Lisa serves as Senior Director of Sales Operations, supporting the Sales and Delivery Teams for the Company’s Sandston, Norfolk and Roanoke branches. In her role, Lisa determines the best ways to sell, deliver and merchandise our broad range of beverages across the region while supporting the team who executes the plan in market every day. She does this by leading with integrity and supporting her team’s needs by finding solutions to everyday challenges.
Lisa has had a journey of contribution and excellence at Coca-Cola Consolidated. She started as a Large Store Account Developer before moving to positions like On Premise Sales roles, Area Sales Manager, and finally, her current role as Senior Director Sales Operations.
Throughout her career, Lisa has completed countless formal training courses, but most recently she participated in the Coca-Cola Consolidated Leadership Academy—a 10-month program developed with the University of South Carolina’s Executive Education department. This program brings together cross-functional leaders to better understand the big picture, how they fit into it and how they can best support each other to make the Company successful.
“The most impactful takeaway from this type of course is the feeling of inclusion and influence,” says Lisa. “By working for an extended period of time with multiple departments, it becomes clear that our Company is run by individuals, not some vague entity. Each of us has a voice and influence over the outcome of each day and in each department, so we must use it wisely and in a way that helps us all achieve our goals.”
Lisa says her two favorite things about working at Coca-Cola Consolidated are the brands we make and sell and the pace at which we do so. “Selling and representing the best brands in the world is a badge of honor for me,” she explains. Everyone who knows Lisa knows how serious she takes brand loyalty.
She credits her inspiration to the “One Team” mentality at Coca-Cola Consolidated. “Working alongside a Team of people who work tirelessly every day to accomplish goals is rewarding for me.”
In her position, Lisa says she feels most empowered to do her job, be herself and support others when there is change. By encouraging, informing and communicating directly with her Teammates, Lisa works to create positive impact at Coca-Cola Consolidated.
“When I started my career, I had no idea that my ‘job’ would turn into a lifelong passion,” says Lisa. “After 25 years, I still wake up every day excited to come to work.”
Since joining Coca-Cola Consolidated 25 years ago, Lisa feels grateful. “This Company has given me the opportunity to grow immensely and at my own pace.”
When asked what she would say to others thinking about starting a career at Coca-Cola Consolidated, Lisa says: “You can work anywhere, but if you want to really be part of something bigger with a world of possibilities, we are waiting for you!”
Want to learn more about careers at Coca-Cola Consolidated and how you can uncap your potential? Visit www.work4coke.com.
