What It's Like to Work at McCain Foods

What is your role, and what attracted you to McCain Foods? Describe the moment when you knew you’d found the right fit.

My team oversees all technology products, applications and solutions in the integrated supply chain space, from transportation to business planning. I’m originally from Colombia, and I moved to Florenceville, New Brunswick back in 2000 with my husband because of McCain. Transitioning from a big city lifestyle to a small town with only a few hundred people at that time was a big change for me to say the least. But the people in this community have been nothing but welcoming. They recognize how difficult it was for us to move to a foreign country, and they are so caring, helpful and open to accept us as part of their lives. It’s a strong sense of community that has made us want to stay.

What's your favorite part about working at McCain Foods? 

During my 20 years of tenure here, I had the opportunity to work in many different areas within our technology space, including technology program development, business system analysis and project management. My husband and I also had the opportunity to relocate to Argentina for five years, which was a great internal mobility experience for us as well.

We love the fact that we are able to live in a tight-knit community where people look out for each other, and we feel safe and included while raising our family, but we also get to work for a global company where opportunities are literally around every corner you take. It’s the best of both worlds, truly.

What advice would you give to job seekers looking to join your growing team?

You are valued, heard and seen as a person, and your work is treated with respect.

Describe the key factors or strategies that helped you land your dream job in the tech industry. 

I’m currently an Azure DevOps engineer at our Global Technology Centre based in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada. I started my journey with McCain in 2018 when I participated in a year-long co-op program as a business analyst for the Global Application Delivery Team. As I finished my undergrad in 2020, I immediately rejoined the McCain technology team as full-time employee. I started off again as a business analyst, then an operations technology specialist and recently transitioned to my current role.

What specific skills or experiences do you believe set you apart from other candidates during your job search?

There are three main reasons why I decided to come back to McCain after graduation.

First, I love working for a global company in a small town in my home province. I enjoy working with technology, but I love New Brunswick.

Second, during my short time in Florenceville I met some of the kindest, most thoughtful and community-centered people I had ever met. I truly couldn’t wait to finish university and come back to the area.

Finally, I found meaning both in the day-to-day work and the volunteering McCain encourages all their employees to partake in.

How has your dream job lived up to your expectations? What are the types of projects you’re working on and what makes you most excited to come to work each day?

Since rejoining McCain, I’ve had many opportunities to grow as a technology professional, as a leader and as a person. In the few short years that I’ve been with McCain, I’ve had the opportunity to lead the deployment of a critical security system in our operations technology space, develop software to increase supply chain resiliency, work with leaders to analyze how to better monitor and manage our technology environment and so much more. 

I’ve also developed tremendously as a leader thanks to my many mentors and through leading an employee resource group called the Young Professionals Association based here in Florenceville. 

I have found the most growth and meaning through taking part in the many volunteering opportunities McCain provides, such as supporting the valley food bank, getting involved with local schools and other community outreach programs.

The culture of the McCain Technology team is one that supports and encourages those who wish to learn, to develop, to grow. I couldn’t have picked a better company to start my career with and I’m really looking forward to what is yet to come.