Rachel Richardson
About Rachel Richardson
Rachel Richardson is an Associate Category Manager specializing in shellfish at US Foods, where she has worked since 2021. She has a strong background in agricultural economics and customer service, with previous roles in research and teaching at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Work at US Foods
Rachel Richardson currently serves as an Associate Category Manager for Shellfish at US Foods, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she has developed expertise in shellfish category management, contributing to the strategic sourcing and procurement processes. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Corporate Buyer at US Foods from 2019 to 2021, where she gained valuable experience in category management. Additionally, she completed a Category Management Internship at US Foods from 2018 to 2019, which provided her with foundational skills in the food and beverage industry.
Education and Expertise
Rachel Richardson earned her Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completing her studies from 2017 to 2019. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Economics and Finance from the same institution, which she obtained from 2013 to 2017. Her educational background has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of customer service dynamics within the food and beverages industry, enhancing client relationships and satisfaction.
Background in Research and Teaching
Rachel has a strong background in research and education, having worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in various capacities. She served as an Undergraduate Lead Research Assistant from 2016 to 2017 and as a Research Assistant in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics from 2018 to 2019. Additionally, she was a Teaching Assistant in the same department from 2017 to 2018. Her experience in these roles has contributed to her strong public speaking skills, which she has utilized in industry presentations and internal training sessions.
Internship Experience
Rachel Richardson gained practical experience through her internship at WxIntegrations, where she worked as a Summer Agricultural Communication and Marketing Intern in 2017 for five months. This role allowed her to apply her academic knowledge in a real-world setting, enhancing her skills in communication and marketing within the agricultural sector. Her internship experience complements her academic background and current professional endeavors.