From Chewing Gum to China, A Career Spanning Global Markets and Digital Innovation

Karen-Janine Cohen

Brand knowledge came early to Ken Ninomiya (MBA '03) when, at 17, he got a job with chewing gum and candy maker Wrigley's, to organizing its grocery store displays. Not long after that, he worked with Argentina-based candy company Arcor USA as he crafted a career in sales, marketing, business development and ecommerce with several well-known brands.

Most recently, Ninomiya's work focused on creative ways to shop online, "allowing consumers to buy something anytime they want and anywhere they want," which he believes is an industry imperative. Nationally, about 14% of grocery store dollars are spent online, he said, with growth on the horizon.

Ninomiya's career included a lifeenhancing byway. In the mid-90s, while sourcing light fixtures, a colleague waxed rhapsodic about travel abroad. That is how Ninomiya spent a year headquartered in Shanghai, finding products for U.S. companies.

"I traveled more in China than I had in the United States, at that point in my life" he said, recalling taking "puddle jumper" planes throughout the country. Back stateside, Ninomiya in 1994 traded his native New York City for sunny Florida.

Meanwhile, he earned his undergraduate business degree from Dallas Baptist University, followed by his MBA at FIU where, he said, much of his cohort also had international experience.

"It really rounds you out. The program's academics were grounding," he said, yet noted that "it's what you do with that degree and how you build your life that separates you from the pack."

"As we progress with the use of technology, everything is going to be automatic."

– Ken Ninomiya

His skills were honed at several firms, including Sedano's Supermarkets, Bimbo Bakeries USA, and Manzo Food Sales, where, among other things, he worked on refining how customers interact with online offerings.

Ninomiya says that the rise of AI will further revolutionize the grocery space. "We are just scratching the surface." To illustrate, he said, think of a mom or dad asking a chatbot for menus appropriate for a 15-yearold's birthday party. The answer might suggest dishes and recipes – then link to a grocery list at a particular store. The customer would only have to click "buy."

"As we progress with the use of technology, everything is going to be automatic," he said.

Ninomiya has another cherished title – adjunct business professor at Miami Dade College. Since 2019 he has taught digital marketing and e-commerce.

During his leisure hours, Ninomiya and his wife (their three children are grown) are fans of cruises. Ninomiya is also a selfdescribed baseball fanatic, and noted that while the Miami Marlins are a great team, part of his heart remains with the New York Mets.