Objective
Give and Go is a large commercial bakery with over 1,000 employees. It specializes in private label products for many large retailers in Canada and the U.S. The company needed two new Product Managers to deal with retailers on either side of the border, although both would be based in Canada.
Proposal
Kathbern worked with Give and Go’s Vice President of Marketing to clearly define the roles in question and the key requirements for each. A high level of interpersonal communication skill was required as products often have to be customized to meet retailers’ private label demands including cost targets.
Process
Kathbern focused on candidates with consumer packaged goods experience, particularly bakery products. As is typical, candidates arose from a mix of on-line advertising and direct contacts.
Results
Filling the role for Canada was somewhat easier, given the greater number of candidates with Canadian retail experience. This role was filled first, with the successful candidate emerging after client interviews with a short-listed group of candidates. The U.S. focused Product Manager was filled second, after an intensive search for candidates with U.S. retail experience. This short list was smaller, however the client was able to identify an acceptable candidate from this group and after offer preparation and acceptance, and the conclusion of reference checks, both candidates assumed their new roles.