Robert Cerquetti is Director of Retail Sales at Sunstar Canada. He joined Sunstar in 2021.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

Growing up, I wanted to either be a professional soccer player or an archaeologist. I began playing soccer when I was three years old, and growing up in an Italian family, soccer was in our DNA. The interest in archaeology may have been influenced by the Indiana Jones movies.

How would your friends describe you?

I believe they would say that I am loyal, outgoing, and adventurous, with a good sense of humor. They would also likely say that I am stubborn and a fierce competitor no matter the game or challenge.

What are your hobbies?

I love to travel to experience different cultures and cuisine. My kids (two teenage boys) also love to travel, so being able to do so with them from time to time makes the experience more enjoyable. I also like watching movies, playing and watching sports, and really enjoy biking and running as a way to stay in shape and release stress. Game night with family, friends, and a few glasses of wine is also always welcome.

What’s your favorite family tradition?

There are two that really stand out. The first is coming together with family and friends to make our own cured meats (sausage, soppressata, prosciutto) every year. It’s a tradition that has been handed down through generations, and I hope to pass it on to my kids one day. It’s hard work; however, the end result is really tasty! The second tradition is Christmas Eve Fish Dinner. The extended family comes together each year to have a feast of fish that we all prepare together, beginning in the afternoon. It’s a day full of great food, laughter and family fun that creates so many memorable moments. I love to eat, so not a coincidence that both traditions involve food 😊

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I would say running a 10k race and finishing as one of the top runners for my age group, but that was several years ago as I tried to recapture a little of my youth. But a more recent accomplishment is conquering my terrible fear of heights and diving off a 27-foot cliff wall into the ocean in Southern Italy. My legs were trembling, but I did it 😊. Would I do it again? Probably not – I think once is enough for me.

What was your first job?

My first job after graduating from University was as an Assistant Marketing Manager at Loblaws (the largest grocery retailer in Canada). Early in my career, I thought Marketing was the area of focus for me until I tried Sales, and that is where I found my true passion.

​​​​​​​ What is your favorite thing about your career?

Being in Sales every day brings a new challenge. I enjoy the strategic aspect, being part of negotiations or figuring out ways to position opportunities to break through and achieve optimal results. I also enjoy finding ways to build strong and lasting relationships with our retail partners to ensure a win-win scenario.

Tell us in one sentence what you do at Sunstar.

I am the Director of Retail Sales and lucky enough to manage the best team in all of Canada.

What is the best part of working at Sunstar?

Working for a company with great history and heritage that produces products that help people live healthier lives. More specific to our Canadian operations – a company that has a family feel, that cares about its employees, and that allows its people to have a voice and chart our path to growth and success.

What would you like Sunstar to look like on its 100^th anniversary?

Much of what we see today, but hopefully with an expanded product portfolio and double the sales 😊

Meet our people

Read about the backgrounds, current activities and future goals of team members contributing to the spirit of Sunstar around the world.