CEOs are constantly looking to get into the minds of their employees to gauge best practices and forward movement of the company. While some CEOs execute this through a series of meetings, seminars or polls, others look to get into the thick of it for an in-depth perspective of their workforce. CBS television show Undercover Bosses takes CEOs on a covert mission to learn their company through the eyes of those making a difference every day. Now, the hit television show has announced Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe, as its latest C-Suite member to join the ranks.
Undercover Boss is a two-time Emmy Award-winning reality show that chronicles the journey of high-level company executives as they infiltrate their own organizations. The show allows executives to really get a feel for not only their companies, but their workers.
The Vitamin Shoppe, a wellness lifestyle company and specialty retailer of nutritional products, runs its business through more than 700 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements banners. With several locations spread across the state of Michigan, the New Jersey based company is hoping to improve operations throughout its brands. For the CEO, it was a chance to speak candidly with employees on common ground.
“The opportunity to become a part of this ground-breaking series was one of the most engaging, inspiring, and humbling experiences of my life. This was an unparalleled chance to get into the field and see up-close the incredible commitment and dedication of our Health Enthusiast team members – all without the filter of being the CEO. It was an unvarnished way to see first-hand what The Vitamin Shoppe does exceptionally well as a company and also the things where we could be better,” says Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe.
The episode, which was filmed in 2021, details Leite’s experience in disguise as a former gift shop manager from Cleveland, Ohio. Visiting three retail locations of The Vitamin Shoppe and a distribution center, Leite was able to learn store operations, customer service, the inventory processes, and other daily essential tasks. Though the CEO has spent more than 30 years in the retail business, the ability to dig in deep with employees helped to unveil more about the business and its workers.
“On a personal level, I’m deeply grateful that I got to know the multi-faceted achievements, challenges, and life stories of the team members featured on this show,” says Leite. “They are true inspirations and continue to motivate me to make The Vitamin Shoppe a better place to work for every Health Enthusiast. We took this opportunity not only to reward the show’s featured associates for the incredible work they do while also balancing the many stresses that life can throw at any of us, but also to make real investments in our systems and processes across many aspects of our workplaces. And for that, I sincerely thank the UNDERCOVER BOSS team and especially the Health Enthusiasts who participated in this show.”
During the show, Leite was also able to connect with each of the participants on a personal level. Without employee rank, the CEO was able to gain knowledge into the life challenges that employees face off the clock.
Since joining the company in 2018, the brand’s CEO has been able to expand its reach and build innovation initiatives. The company has also grown into Asia with a CBD hemp extract merchandising program.
Season 11 of Undercover Boss will premiere January 2022.
About Post Author
