Primo Food’s Reed Stephens wins AMIC 2024 Young Smallgoods Achiever of the Year Award

Congratulations to Primo Foods PLM Manager, Reed Stephens, who won the inaugural Young Smallgoods Achiever of the 2024 Year at the Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards. 

There was a total of nine nominees and Reed Stephens was the winner. Nominees also included fellow Primo Foods colleagues; Amity Dent, Helfi Bakhti and Tonicka Blackman.

While endorsing Reed for the award, Primo Foods Group General Manager Robert Wadland noted, Stephens’ skills and passion for the industry and his role.

“With a First-Class Honours Degree in Food Science from the University of Queensland coupled with his unquestionable passion for the smallgoods manufacturing industry, there is no doubt that Reed has been an invaluable, positive force thanks to his presence, influence and commitment to quality.”

The achievement is particularly pleasing given the strong field of other Primo Foods and industry nominees.

Brand Manager, Amity Dent, was nominated for – among other things – playing a central role in developing and promoting the new award-winning premium range at accessible prices, in the form of Primo Reserve.

Freezer & Dock Supervisor QDC, Tonicka Blackman, earned her nomination for her invaluable contribution to continuous process improvement, engagement, efficiency and collaboration, stemming from her recent successes in streamlining and improving the management of raw materials into and out of our Freezer operation through to Production.

Trade Marketing Coordinator, Helfi Bakhti, was recognised for her innovative approach to trade marketing through a combination of out-of-the-box ideas that push the boundaries of traditional marketing.

Stephens’ achievement capped off an incredible night for Primo Foods at the ceremony, which included 5 Golds for our products, including for our Extra Crispy Bacon, Ham Off The Bone, Cacciatore Casalinga Mild, Air-Dried Mild Salami Sticks and Air-Dried Pepperoni Sticks.

The Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards is designed to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australia’s smallgoods manufacturers, with Stephens taking the top industry honour thanks to his amazing passion and overall contribution to food safety and quality.