Company Name
Marzetti
Search Job Title
VP of Logistics
Client Profile
Our client is a leading diversified food manufacturer with numerous product lines, 15 factories, and multiple distribution centers. The company has experienced significant growth through acquisitions, resulting in extensive operations. It serves both retail customers and food service sectors.
Role Objectives & Challenges
The role was upgraded to the VP level to drive a critical transformation in logistics, order fulfillment, customer service, and warehousing. The VP was tasked with supporting a multi-year supply chain transformation, enhancing productivity, and achieving cost savings. This included the development of a cross-dock network and the implementation of a new transportation management system. We partnered with the SVP of Supply Chain/CSCO and the Head of HR to facilitate the completion of this search and placement.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
The company sought a strong leader with deep experience in multi-site warehousing and transportation. They needed someone who had led successful transportation system improvements and applied continuous improvement techniques to streamline processes. The VP was required to rationalize and optimize a total logistics network, which involved cross-dock centers to improve delivery efficiencies to both food service clients and big-box retail stores.
Our sourcing strategy focused on mid-sized to large food and beverage manufacturers with multiple factories and distribution facilities. We conducted candidate mapping and leveraged our networks to identify the best fit. The biggest challenge was finding a candidate willing to relocate to Columbus, Ohio, while meeting the desired profile. We encouraged the client to expand the search beyond food and beverage to include consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical sectors. This expanded talent pool allowed us to identify an exceptional local candidate, saving significant relocation costs. Additionally, we built a diverse slate, resulting in a hire that enhanced the diversity of the leadership team.
The Hire & Results
The client accepted our recommendation to expand the industry focus while maintaining a preference for candidates experienced in refrigerated goods. This led us to a candidate who held a similar role at a leading pharmaceutical company in the same city. The expanded search profile enabled us to find a highly qualified local candidate, saving on relocation costs. Moreover, the diverse slate resulted in a diverse hire that strengthened the leadership team. The client was very pleased with the candidate, who proved to be a perfect cultural match and an exceptional servant leader. The candidate even appeared on one of our podcasts to discuss his career journey.
