A $300 million revenue global food manufacturing business headquartered in Chicago, operating four manufacturing plants. The company produces a broad range of consumer food products, with Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) embedded as a core operational priority. 

The Challenge  

The VP of FSQA position had been open for over two years. During that time: 

• Three previous hires left within short tenures due to poor cultural fit and leadership gaps. 

• FSQA performance shifted from proactive prevention to reactive “firefighting.” 

• Team morale and cross-functional collaboration deteriorated. 

• High turnover in the role damaged the company’s reputation among FSQA professionals. 

The Chief HR Officer and VP of Manufacturing needed a leader who could: 

• Inspire and rebuild the FSQA team. 

• Engage directly on the shop floor. 

• Foster strong cross-functional relationships. 

• Drive consistent FSQA practices across all sites. 

The Recruitment Journey 

Engagement: 

Following a detailed briefing, we mapped the role’s technical requirements and cultural fit. Leveraging a well-established FSQA network and sector knowledge, we sourced highly relevant candidates quickly. 

Process Overview: 

• Shortlist of 8 candidates delivered within four working days. 

• 4 interviewed in the first round; 3 progressed to final on-site stage. 

•  Advised the client to pivot from their initial top choice due to competing offers, avoiding potential process derailment. 

Support Provided: 

Guided the client on candidate prioritization, managed all interview logistics, and ensured continuous market insight throughout the process. 

The Result  

The Outcome: 

The role was offered to an alternative finalist who accepted within three weeks of the initial briefing. Since joining, they have: 

• Returned FSQA to a proactive, structured approach. 

• Rebuilt team morale. 

• Strengthened cross-functional collaboration. 

Quantifiable Impact: 

• Filled a role that had been vacant for 24+ months in under 3 weeks. 

• Long-term retention success; hire remains in post and delivering sustained improvements. 

Testimonial: 

“Thanks to James, we finally found the right leader for our FSQA team after years of struggles. Their expertise and strategic advice were instrumental in turning this around quickly and effectively.” – Chief HR Officer