Engagement: Contingent Search (exclusive partnership)

A major Fortune 200 foods player needed a standout Senior-level Marketing Manager to fully-own a large business line and staple household brand after a team departure earlier in the year. With a metro area strong in retail, foods and CPG corporations, the local market was and is robust with blue chip MBA marketers from Michigan/Ross, Northwestern/Kellogg, Chicago/Booth, Purdue/Krannert, Duke/Fuqua, BYU/Marriott, etc. My client, however, was seeking a top-notch individual, and they engaged me for some fresh ideas. They kept an open mind for their usual recruitment funnels as well as candidates from different and intriguing programs. Bottom line: They needed a full business manager who’s strong in marketing, and someone who could drive topline and lead innovation amidst considerable industry change.

The particular challenges were:

• The local and robust CPG marketing community at the Brand Manager/Senior Manager levels had eventually been saturated. Networking was beginning to run them in circles;
• It was a difficult time of year to recruit MBA marketers;
• Our client would not settle for anything less than a standout performer with a strong industry reputation and proven success within Fortune 500 CPG.

Result:

As a former Land O’Lakes recruiter, I leveraged my strong CPG network of direct talent, in addition to referral generation with close industry colleagues. I quickly obtained a second-degree referral of an MBA marketing manager with ties to this particular city, whose family was at a point where they’d consider relocation. They’d been a proven performer at another foods giant, and had a background in engineering prior to their marketing track.

My client was happy to make the investment, as our new hire brought an ideal mix of classic and proven leadership experience with an entrepreneurial edge to help drive innovation.

______________________________________

EMPLOYERS: Sign up for our monthly employer newsletter & talent view here.

MARKETERS: Sign up for our monthly talent newsletter here.