Forty Under 40: Robin Schrader

Robin Schrader was 18 years old when she went to work in the Wal-Mart pharmacy in Rogers.

But she remembers a man coming in one day in overalls and beat-up brown shoes. He needed a little help with some over-the-counter items, so Schrader assisted him. She didnt discover until later that she had waited on Sam Walton, founder of the company.

It really made an impression on me at a very young age, she said.

Schrader, 38, has remained with Wal-Mart ever since. Born in Springdale and raised in Rogers, Schrader moved from the Rogers store to the home office in 1986 to work as a data-entry clerk in the replenishment area for Wal-Mart stores. She stayed in that department for the next 12 years, working her way up from replenishment manager to group manager to senior group manager.

In 1997, Schrader moved to the Sams Club division as a divisional director over hardlines (which included tires, electronics and some health-and-beauty products). Last November, she was promoted to divisional manager over all of replenishment for Sams.

Schrader said her job is a balancing act.

Replenishment is the hub between buying, operations and suppliers, she said.