Erin Gorman, 40
Vice President Customer Success , Pepper , New York, NY
June 10, 2025 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Itasca, IL
Hobbies: Spending time with family, Fitness, Being a total sports mom
Family/Community: Married, 2 children, Member of St Peter’s Apostle Catholic Church
Motto in life: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” — Vivian Greene
Gorman has more than a decade of experience spanning supply chain, distribution and customer success. From managing over $4 billion in fresh produce distribution at Produce Alliance to shaping distributor relations at Buyers Edge and now driving success at Pepper, she has consistently elevated operational excellence and strategic partnerships.
She began her career at Giant Eagle in 2008, soon moving into a buyer’s assistant role where she got her first exposure to suppliers, inventory management, food safety and vendor relations. From there, she moved into supply chain coordination roles, first at Armada Supply Chain Solutions in 2013 and then at Produce Alliance in 2016, where she honed her skills in logistics and operational efficiency and building core relationships. Her experience continued to grow as she took on leadership roles of supply chain manager and eventually served as the director of custom distribution at Produce Alliance and director of distributor relations at Fresh Alliance.
In June 2024, she joined Pepper in her current role. She focuses on strengthening long-term industry relationships while integrating e-commerce solutions. In 2024, she served as part of the IFPA Supply Chain Council.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?
My first job in the produce industry was reconciling PODs to invoices for accounting. While it may sound like a number’s role, it really opened my eyes to the complexity of the produce world. I quickly became familiar with a wide variety of produce items, suppliers, inbound schedules and inventory patterns. It was a behind-the-scenes look that opened my eyes to supply chain and distribution.
Q: What do you know now you wish you knew when you first started your career?
No two days are the same in produce and distribution. The constant ebbs and flows keep you on your toes and are challenging, but it is also what is so rewarding. Learn from mistakes or issues, fix them for the future, keep evolving.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?
Never stop learning, always stay open-minded, and understand that relationships are key. This industry moves fast, new challenges pop up daily, and what worked yesterday might not work today. Think outside the box for solutions, collaborate with team members to find the best possible outcome. Most importantly, build strong relationships with suppliers, coworkers and customers. Trust and communication are everything!
Q: How has the industry changed during your tenure?
One of the biggest advancements has been in technology — everything from real-time inventory systems to data-driven forecasting and improved traceability tools. Sustainability has not only been a buzzword, but also a new model that has affected the way consumers eat and shop. With all of these factors, there’s a core relation to the complexity of supply chains, and it has become more imperative than ever that the right product and quantity gets to the right place on time and in good condition. Technology, communication and relationships will continue to play a large role in the produce industry as we continue to evolve.
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