At the helm of Supreme Staffing’s daily operations stands Marnie Byford, the company’s Chief Operating Officer and a driving force behind its transformation from a local agency into a national player. Overseeing departments such as IT, marketing, sales, and HR, Marnie’s strategic leadership has been essential to the organization’s growth trajectory and reputation for delivering meaningful employment connections.

Her professional journey began with a strong focus on advocacy, working alongside at-risk youth and adults. That path evolved into supporting individuals with disabilities and expanding her role into training, implementation, and business development. Her passion for empowering people has never wavered, today, it’s embedded in Supreme Staffing’s mission to create strong partnerships between job seekers and employers.

About Supreme Staffing

Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Supreme Staffing is a privately held agency specializing in employment services across a wide spectrum, from light industrial positions to high-level executive roles. What sets the company apart is its human-centered philosophy: listening first, connecting strategically, and delivering results that meet the goals of both parties.

Supreme Staffing recognizes that every candidate and employer has unique needs. Their strength lies in matching ambitions with opportunities—whether that means helping someone land a first job or assisting companies in building out their leadership teams. The agency approaches every placement with precision and care, creating win-win solutions built on trust and alignment.

Beyond the Office

Outside her executive role, Marnie leads a vibrant personal life. As a mother of four daughters and a proud grandmother, she has cultivated a life rooted in family and purpose. Residing on a farm, she values time spent in nature, on the beach, or exploring new destinations.

Her enthusiasm for travel and connecting with new people mirrors her professional approach, curious, inclusive, and relationship-driven. Just as she fosters a strong team culture at Supreme Staffing, Marnie brings the same nurturing energy to her home, balancing her roles as leader and caregiver with grace.

Building a Supportive Work Culture

For Marnie, leadership is not about hierarchy, but about empathy, communication, and team development. She believes a thriving workplace begins with leaders who listen and support their teams. Strong leadership, in her view, serves as the foundation for productivity and morale.

Education remains a personal priority for Marnie. She invests time in research, continuous learning, and professional development to better understand the evolving workforce. Her emphasis on growth, for herself and others, is part of her broader goal to plant seeds of knowledge and foster long-term success.

In today’s tech-driven business landscape, Marnie often sees a decline in personal connection. She stresses the importance of seeing the people behind the roles, reminding others that “as technology advances, we must not forget the human pushing the buttons.” Her leadership style reflects a commitment to restoring personalization and empathy in how teams operate.

Leadership and Daily Responsibilities

As COO, Marnie holds a multi-faceted role that includes:

·       Leading operations across departments including IT, marketing, and sales

·       Reporting directly to the CEO and communicating insights to key stakeholders

·       Collaborating with the executive leadership team on strategic and financial planning

·       Overseeing all human resources functions, from recruitment to performance reviews

·       Driving business development through strategic planning and market positioning

·       Setting performance goals aligned with the company’s long-term vision

·       Mentoring emerging talent to ensure continuity and organizational growth

·       Managing budgeting and financial oversight for sustained profitability

·       Ensuring administrative processes function seamlessly across all units

What brings her the most joy each day is the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated team making a tangible difference in their community. Watching her colleagues grow, achieve, and lead is the most rewarding part of her leadership role.

Embracing Change and Meeting the Moment

Marnie is particularly focused on the evolving workforce, especially as it relates to Generation Z. Hiring and integrating this new generation requires intention, adaptability, and a willingness to reevaluate traditional expectations. She acknowledges that this group—individuals born between 1997 and 2012 is redefining the employee-employer dynamic.

Gen Z values flexibility, well-being, and purpose-driven work. They prioritize employers who are transparent, respectful, and aligned with their ideals. Unlike previous generations, they are not afraid to break from convention, seeking careers that accommodate their lifestyle and beliefs rather than fitting themselves into rigid systems.

According to Marnie, this shift is transferring power to employees, as Gen Z expects a seat at the table. They are navigating a world marked by global challenges, from pandemics to economic uncertainty, and they want careers that offer meaning, fair compensation, and an authentic voice.

Risk, Resilience, and Vision

Reflecting on her own career, Marnie says her greatest risk was believing in herself when others didn’t. She stepped into leadership despite doubters, proving that perseverance and vision can overcome obstacles. Under her guidance, Supreme Staffing has achieved levels of success once thought unreachable.

Looking ahead, her vision includes nurturing a diverse team of future leaders—individuals who embrace transformation, value collaboration, and adapt swiftly to change. These emerging professionals will be essential in driving innovation while maintaining the company’s commitment to human-centered values.

For Supreme Staffing, growth is not just about numbers. Marnie emphasizes the importance of client success as a collective victory. When their clients thrive, everyone benefits. That principle remains central to her strategic vision.

A Future Anchored in Understanding

Marnie’s long-term goals for Supreme Staffing involve staying deeply in tune with the changing market and workforce. She aims to position the company as a magnet for top talent and a model for how to effectively engage Generation Z in meaningful, impactful work.

By creating an environment where younger employees feel heard, valued, and empowered, Supreme Staffing is building a resilient foundation for the future. Through clear vision, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of human connection, Marnie Byford continues to shape the staffing industry, and the lives within it, for the better.