While operating a successful human resources (HR) program in a convenience store involves many factors, TXB Director of Human Resources (HR) Nathan Graham especially takes pride in prioritizing employee development.
“Watching people grow in their roles while knowing that you had a hand in their training brings so much pride to my life,” said Graham. “There are always people I shout out when asked, ‘Who helped you along the way?’ I want to use my position and be that person for somebody else. I want to see others win.”
Graham has been leading the HR department at 53-store chain TXB in Texas and Oklahoma for the last seven years, overseeing the employee cycle from start to finish as well as driving operational HR support, partnering with executive leaders, and ensuring compliance and labor law regulations. He also assists with unexpected problem solving.
CStore Decisions is recognizing Graham with an HR Award for his dedication to TXB employees, belief in the brand and ability to pinpoint how he can best help others.
Path to HR
Graham became TXB’s director of HR seven years ago, and he hasn’t looked back since.
“Leaders at TXB pulled me aside and presented this position, and I knew it was my chance to make a difference in the lives of the people around me,” said Graham. “The deal was that I would take on the job for six months, and if I didn’t like it, I would go back to my management role … that was seven years ago.”
But he first began working at TXB when he was only a senior in high school.
“When I first began working for TXB, people around me had the convenience store stigma in their minds, questioning why a high school senior would want to work there,” he said. “Today, I am proud to loudly tell people where I work. I am over the moon to tell others what I do and where.”
Graham initially decided to pursue an accounting career, but in 2009, he found his way back to TXB as a store manager, which was his first experience managing others in a professional environment. He was promoted to area manager after two years and oversaw groups of stores.
“This was my first step into the world of human resources,” he said.
He was eventually offered the role of director of HR after the HR department was developed and restructured. One-and-a-half years into his role, he received an HR certification.
“Today, I enjoy working in HR and am thankful the company saw something in me. Although we think we know ourselves best, it’s important to listen to other people who see potential in us that we cannot. I’m happy to be now able to present opportunities like the one I was given to others,” Graham said.
Plans and Projects
Graham has certainly made his mark at TXB. A few years ago, for instance, he helped rebuild a new training program from the ground up. The program was designed to showcase TXB and the people who work there to new employees.
“The videos were filmed on location using our own employees,” Graham said. “You can find everyone from the CEO to the cashier in the segments focusing on our values and mission as a company.”
Additionally, Graham worked with TXB’s chief financial officer to adopt DailyPay, which provides early pay access to TXB employees.
TXB has a 68% adoption rate of the program across the company. Graham also received vocal feedback about how the new program affected users’ lives, noting there was an “overwhelming amount of positive feedback.”
Graham is always looking for ways to improve the HR department. He worked to adopt an improved human resources information system, a better benefits package for employees and a new internal recruiting department.
This year, TXB’s HR team is focusing on addressing turnover and retention.
It’s a significant challenge, he noted. To do so, TXB is instituting manager-in-training programs, ambassador programs for safety, and continuing training for staff and management.
“We want to make sure we’re providing our employees with the skills to succeed in their roles,” he said. “Great training initiatives lead to great retention and turnover rates.”
Graham is also aware of the constant need to keep pace with the legal landscape. He knows HR managers must make sure to follow all changes to compliance and labor law regulations as they come.
TXB Pride
Graham noted “every single person” goes the extra mile, not only for each other, but for the company as a whole.
“The reason I am able to be successful in my role is because of the people around me,” said Graham.
One of Graham’s personal joys of the job is helping others, which he acknowledged means understanding problems are not “simply black and white.”
“Being able to analyze a situation based on the facts is imperative to decision making in this department, and you have to accept that there will always be gray areas that require a real commitment to being fair and seeing both sides,” he said.
On a larger scale, Graham is committed to TXB’s focus on continued growth, and with this comes expanded recruitment and training programs.
“I truly believe that our work on continuing education is what helps make every TXB location exceed the typical convenience store experience. We take pride in our managers and people who are creating this environment for our customers,” he said.
