October 2024: Top 11 CPG Recruiters, Headhunters & Executive Search Firms
Updated: October 2024
Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) is a unique industry: fast-paced, highly competitive, and diverse.
That means you need a highly skilled team led by top talent.
The top CPG recruiters, headhunters, and executive search firms can help you find that talent.
These specialized professionals have their fingers on the pulse of the industry. They have the knowledge and networks to identify and connect you with the brightest prospective candidates in the field.
Whether you're a multinational corporation or a budding startup, this article will help you find a solid CPG recruiter. We’ll analyze:
11 CPG recruiters and executive search firms
Their approaches and track record
Their unique value points
But first, let’s look at:
Benefits of Hiring Recruiters, Headhunters & Executive Search Firms in CPG Industry
You may want to rely on your internal team to hire your next star.
But chances are you’d be wrong.
Hiring recruiters, headhunters, and executive search firms has unique advantages.
These specialized professionals:
Bring a wealth of industry-specific knowledge: They have a deep understanding of the ever-evolving CPG landscape. That means they can find junior and senior executives with the required skills and mindset for this niche.
Save you time and effort: They conduct thorough candidate searches, presenting only the most qualified individuals.
Are experts in cultural fit: And that’s not just a whim. This type of expertise helps you identify candidates with the right skills who align with your company's values and objectives. This type of connection enhances your long-term success.
Have extensive networks: Their access to passive talent in highly competitive markets gives you a significant edge in attracting top-tier professionals. That's because most executive recruiting firms have access to job seekers that aren't registered on run-of-the-mill job boards.
Overall, partnering with these recruitment experts:
Streamlines your hiring process.
Minimizes risks.
Ensures your CPG business’s continued growth.
TL;DR - Top CPG Recruiters, Headhunters & Executive Search Firms
Alpha Apex Group: Alpha Apex Group stands as a leading specialist in CPG recruitment, leveraging industry expertise and a vast network to connect top-tier talent with forward-thinking companies, fostering growth and innovation in the sector.
CPG Connect Executive Recruitment: Specialized in Consumer Goods and Retail, prioritizes cultural fit in candidate screening.
Cowen Partners: Offers guaranteed results and works with a wide range of CPG clients, from startups to Fortune 50 companies.
CSA - Cameron Smith & Associates: Extensive reach, with placements in 43 states and 9 countries, leveraging industry relationships and technology.
JRG Partners: Boasts a vast database of over 10 million passive candidates in the consumer goods industry and direct industry experience.
Creative Alignments: Stands out with Time-Based Recruiting®, offering cost-effective hiring solutions for natural products and CPG companies.
A Deep Dive into Each Top CPG Recruiters, Headhunters & Executive Search Firm
Alpha Apex Group, Leaders in CPG Executive Search & Recruitment
Alpha Apex Group emerges as a premier choice for companies within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector seeking unparalleled recruitment and executive search services. With a deep understanding of the CPG industry's unique challenges and opportunities, they specialize in connecting top-tier talent with leading organizations, ensuring a perfect match that drives growth and innovation.
Alpha Apex Group's approach is tailored to meet the dynamic needs of the CPG market, leveraging their extensive network and industry insights to identify and attract professionals who not only meet the technical requirements of the role but also align with the company's culture and values. This personalized strategy enhances the recruitment process, making Alpha Apex Group an indispensable partner for companies looking to secure a competitive edge through exceptional talent.
Key Services:
Specialized recruitment for the Consumer Packaged Goods industry
Executive search services to identify top leadership talent
Comprehensive headhunting for hard-to-fill roles
Talent mapping and market analysis to understand industry trends
Customized onboarding and integration strategies for new hires
Why work with Alpha Apex Group: Choosing Alpha Apex Group as your recruitment partner in the CPG sector means investing in the success of your organization. Their expertise in navigating the intricacies of the CPG market, combined with a commitment to excellence and innovation, ensures that your company will be positioned to attract and retain the leaders and innovators who will propel your business forward.
2. CPG Connect Executive Recruitment: Best for Deep Industry Knowledge
CPG Connect Executive Recruitment is a specialized recruitment agency and executive search firm.
They have a strong focus on the Consumer Goods and Retail Industry in North America, particularly in Canada and the United States.
And here’s their unique selling point:
CPG Connect prioritizes rigorous research and extensive candidate qualification, ensuring they present the brightest talent to their clients.
Plus, they have a deep commitment to cultural fit, recognizing its critical role in achieving success for both potential candidates and companies.
That’s not all.
Understanding and valuing the unique company cultures of their clients helps CPG Connect forge lasting, mutually beneficial connections.
Practice Areas: Food and Beverage, Cosmetics, Personal Care, Wine, Beer and Spirits, Pharmaceutical, CBD, and OTC, Natural Health, NHP, Vitamins and Supplements, Home Care, Pet Care, Packaging and Containers, Consumer Electronics, Pet-food, Durable Goods, Hard Goods, Soft Goods, Automotive Consumer Goods, DIY Consumer Goods, Housewares Consumer Goods, Advertising, Retail
Notable clients: Nestle, PEPSICO, Electrolux, Ferrero
Key services:
Executive Search
Sales Recruiting
Marketing Recruiting
Human Resource
Reason to work with CPG Connect Executive: CPG Connect Executive Recruitment's 100% specialization in North America's Consumer Goods and Retail Industry ensures they understand this niche perfectly. Therefore, they can deliver qualified executive candidates who fit your CPG organization’s culture.
3. Cowen Partners: Best for Firms with Large Revenue
Cowen Partners is a premier retained executive search firm.
And they’re known because they give their clients access to the top 1% of human capital in the CPG industry.
That’s their unique selling point.
Cowen Partners has proven processes and a commitment to delivering guaranteed results. Their data-driven executive search process ensures their CPG recruiters and FMCG headhunters consistently place high-quality candidates in firms like yours.
But every silver lining has a cloud (pun intended).
Although Cowen Partners works with different CPG organizations – private, public, and pre-IPO companies – these firms’ revenue ranges from $50 million to five billion dollars.
That said, their extensive experience in diverse industries makes them a valuable partner in the search for world-class executive talent.
Practice Areas: Consumer Goods, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Technology, Real Estate, Private Equity, Family Business, Sports & Entertainment, Non-Profit Leadership
Notable clients: Starbucks, 7-Eleven, App Annie, Costco Wholesale
Key services:
Executive Search
Board Director and Chair Search
B2B Executive Sales Recruitment
Sales Recruiting
Marketing Recruiting
Legal Recruiting
Diversity & Inclusion Recruiting
Reason to work with Cowen Partners: Cowen Partners doesn't just find talent; they guarantee results that fuel your company's growth. Their hands-on CPG executive recruiters specialize in placing candidates who can create opportunities that propel your business forward. And everything’s backed by proven processes and guaranteed outcomes.
4. CSA: Best for Cultural Fit and Network
CSA - Cameron Smith & Associates is a seasoned team of dedicated consumer packaged goods recruiters with over 25 years of experience.
Their core focus lies in finding and placing top talent within the CPG, Retail, and E-commerce sectors.
Here’s what sets them apart:
Their deep commitment to understanding their client's company culture.
This allows them to source perfect candidates that align seamlessly with their values and objectives.
Plus, they have a wide network.
CSA operates across 43 states, 9 countries, and with 50 of the top 100 suppliers to retail.
And they’re leveraging these industry relationships plus advanced technology to access passive talent in highly competitive markets.
That gives them a massive competitive advantage in talent recruitment for companies seeking the best-fit candidates in the CPG industry.
Practice Areas: CPG, Retail, E-commerce
Notable clients: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Target
Key services:
Executive Search
Talent Recruitment
Analytics
Talent Networking
Reason to work with CSA: CSA boasts an impressive track record of making placements in 43 states, 9 countries, and with 50 of the top 100 suppliers to retail. Their seasoned Consumer Goods recruiters leverage industry relationships and cutting-edge technology to give you access to top passive talent in highly competitive markets.
5. JRG Partners: Best for Network Width and Direct Experience
JRG Partners boasts a vast database of over 10 million passive candidates across the United States.
This wide network makes JRG Partners unmatched in the recruitment field for the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.
And they have the necessary knowledge to help you pick great execs.
Their strong foundation in marketing and decades of experience help them pick the right people from their extensive candidate pool.
Unlike typical headhunters and recruitment firms, many of JRG Partners' recruiters have firsthand experience in hiring roles within CPG companies.
Needless to say, this gives them an invaluable understanding of industry needs and requirements. Of course, JRG Partners also prioritize up-to-date industry guidelines while evaluating prospects.
Practice Areas: Manufacturing, Sales Team, Food and Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods, Medical Device, Engineering, Oncology Sales, Pharmaceutical, Legal and Paralegal, Construction Recruiters, Financial Services, Information Technology, SAP Programmers
Notable clients: Adidas, Haier, Henkel, Sephora
Key services:
Executive Search
Executive Profiling
Human Resource
Cultural Transformation
Corporate Effectiveness
Organizational Planning
Performance Engagement
Reason to work with JRG Partners: JRG Partners has a vast database of CPG talent featuring over 10 million passive candidates across the United States. Plus, their recruiters have first-hand experience in hiring roles within CPG companies.
6. Creative Alignments: Best Affordable Patented Hiring Technology
Creative Alignments is a recruitment firm that stands out with its innovative Time-Based Recruiting® model.
This unique approach allows clients to pay only for the time it takes to find exceptional talent. Basically, that’s a cost-effective alternative to traditional recruiting fees.
Their hourly model ensures that clients get the talent they need when they need it, minimizing financial overhead.
However, Creative Alignments doesn’t specialize in all industries.
Their practice areas include CPG firms serving natural food, beverage, and climate & sustainability.
With that in mind, Creative Alignment does what its name suggests.
They align their recruitment efforts with the scaling needs of these rapidly growing industries.
That means they zero in on maximizing market opportunities at a fraction of the cost of conventional recruiters.
Practice Areas: Natural Food / CPG, Technology, Climate + Sustainability, Food, Tech
Notable clients: Malk, Chomps, Clio, Njoy Life, MUSH
Key services:
Executive Role Recruiting
Talent Search Expertise
Recruiting Expertise
Reason to work with Creative Alignments: Creative Alignments offers a distinctive approach with their Time-Based Recruiting® model. You only pay for the time it takes to build a high-performing team, saving money for cost-conscious CPG companies.
7. Hunter & Michaels: Best for Flexibility and Versatility
Hunter & Michaels is a niche recruiting firm specializing exclusively in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.
That means they know your CPG niche inside-out and can help you hire the best prospects.
With a focus on the national retail marketplace, Hunter & Michaels provides consultative relationships and top CPG executive talent across all CPG categories.
Plus, Hunter & Michaels maintains a comprehensive database of over 70,000 contacts within the CPG industry.
And probably the best feature:
These CPG recruiting firms update their database daily with executives they source personally.
And they can help you regardless of your company size.
Their clientele spans a wide spectrum, including private equity firms, small startups, and Fortune 50 manufacturers.
Their personalized approach involves both retainer and contingency agreements, making the recruiting process genuinely flexible.
Practice Areas: Apparel & Textiles, Automotive, Beverage, Confection, Cosmetics, Crafts, Electronics, Food, Hard Goods, Health & Beauty (HBC), Household Supplies, Infant Care, Lawn & Garden, Meat & Deli, Nutrition, Office Supplies, Organic, Over-The-Counter (OTC), Paper Goods, Pet Care, Private Label, Produce, Seasonal, Sporting Goods, Toy
Key services:
Personalized Recruiting Strategy
Executive Search
Human Resource
Reason to work with Hunter & Michaels: Hunter & Michaels offers flexible budgeting options and caters to different-sized CPG companies. Their database of 70,000+ contacts is updated daily with personally vetted candidates.
8. ACCUR: Affordable Option for CPG and FMCG
ACCUR is known for its expertise and expansive network within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) categories.
And they are recognized worldwide.
Their executive search consultants have a successful track record in sourcing top talents and leaders for Fortune 500 and mid-size international consumer goods companies.
But that’s not what sets them apart.
That’s their headhunters’ and recruitment consultants’ ability to perform exhaustive searches and in-depth assessments of candidates.
The bow that ties up this stellar service within the CPG/FMCG industry is that ACCUR can reach this highly qualified talent pool quickly and in a cost-effective way.
Practice Areas: Beauty, Cannabis, Consumer Goods, eCommerce & Digital, Fashion, Food & Beverage, Home Goods, Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, Luxury Goods, Private Equity, Real Estate, Sports, Tobacco, Travel Retail, Watches & Jewelry, Wines & Spirits
Notable clients: Coca-Cola, L'Oreal, Sephora, Danone
Key services:
Executive Search
Board Search
Professional Search
Contingency Recruitment
Recruitment Process Outsourcing
Reason to work with ACCUR: ACCUR's CPG Recruiters have a wide-reaching network in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, connecting you with top talent worldwide. They service CPG as well as FMCG companies.
9. BrainWorks: Best for C-Level and VP Positions
BrainWorks is a recruitment firm specializing in identifying CPG leaders with technical expertise and industry experience.
Their focus is primarily on C-level and VP positions, as well as hard-to-find talent.
And BrainWorks emphasizes guaranteed results and speed in their searches.
BrainWorks strives to find consumer product professionals who align with your company's goals and growth trajectory. Plus, they offer tailored and flexible executive search services for high-caliber CPG talent.
Practice Areas: Accounting & Finance, Alternative Investments Recruiting, Analytics, Data Science & Data Governance, Commodities Technology & Trading, Consumer Products, CRM & Direct Marketing, Cybersecurity, Data & Data Insights, eCommerce, Digital Media & Entertainment, Go-To-Market Search – Private Equity/Insurance and Financial Services, Human Resources, Legal, Market Research & Consumer Insights, Medical Device, Private Equity Recruiting – Portfolio Companies, Sales and Marketing, Supply Chain & Operations, Technology
Notable clients: Simply Good Foods, Foundation Wellness
Key services:
Performance-Based Retained Search
Contingent Search
Interim Search
Diversity & Inclusion Hiring
Reason to work with BrainWorks: BrainWorks aims to be your long-term partner in success. With a focus on C-level and VP positions, their recruiting services are effective, personalized, and affordable.
10. CPG Executive Search: Best for Developing Close Business Relationships
CPG Executive Search caters to a wide range of companies within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. Their expertise spans across supervisory to executive levels, making them a valuable partner for all levels of talent acquisition in the CPG sector.
And here’s their unique selling point:
CPG Executive Search operates as an extension of your business, offering a personalized and transparent recruitment experience.
They place a strong emphasis on securing top performers who can navigate the competitive and evolving CPG environment.
With a focus on Sales and Marketing, they aim to help your organization thrive amid increased competition and evolving market dynamics.
Practice Areas: CPG, Food & Beverage Manufacturing, Private Label, Agriculture, Meats, Bakery, Natural Health Products (NHP).
Notable clients: Smucker's, Molson Coors, Weston Foods, Truss
Key services:
Executive Search
Talent Recruitment
Board Search
Human Resource
Reason to work with CPG Executive Search: CPG Executive Search takes a human approach to engaging people and delivering a transparent recruitment experience. They operate as an extension of your business, ensuring a positive and personalized recruitment process.
11. Lock Search Group: Best for Companies Undergoing Digital Transitions
Lock Search Group distinguishes itself because it works with tech-savvy consultants with a deep knowledge of the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector.
Also, Lock Search Group has cultivated a robust global network of CPG professionals, which means they can do talent acquisition on a global scale.
And they have a specialized niche.
Lock Search Group caters to CPG industry leaders engaged in digital transformation.
Their comprehensive and modern recruitment solutions help you hire for a wide range of roles, including Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and HR.
Plus, they’ll ensure your hires can integrate seamlessly into your company.
That’s because Lock Search Group has thorough candidate assessment processes and solid onboarding capabilities.
Practice Areas: Life Sciences, Consumer Packaged Goods, Industrial, B2B and Technology, Accounting and Finance, Automotive, Beverage/Alcohol, Biotechnology, Construction, Digital and Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Food Service, Hard Goods, HR, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Medical Device, Insurance, Legal, Operations, Pharmaceutical, Renewable Energy, Retail, SaaS, Scientific and Clinical Research, Supply Chain and Logistics
Notable clients: Henkel, Ferrero, Ozery, Kelogg's
Key services:
Executive Search
Board Search
Talent Recruitment
Reason to work with Lock Search Group: Lock Search Group specializes in companies undergoing digital transitions. They’re also great for hiring global talent and facilitating the onboarding process.
Key Factors in Choosing a CPG Recruiter, Headhunter, or Executive Search Firm
If you’ve read so far, you’ve noticed that each of the ten CPG recruiters, headhunters, and executive search firms are best for different goals.
So, consider the factors below when choosing the right partner for your needs.
Industry expertise: A firm well-versed in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector understands its unique challenges. But the right firm for your needs should also know how to pick the right candidates for firms with business goals like yours.
Track record of success: Look for firms with a proven history of delivering top-tier talent and successful placements. Ensure they’ve worked with companies with similar requirements to yours.
Cultural fit assessment capabilities: Firms that prioritize aligning candidates with your company's values and culture increase the likelihood of long-term success.
Responsiveness and transparency in communication: These are key indicators of a strong partnership.
Their fee structure: Ensure their pricing aligns with your budget and expectations.
These factors combined will guide you toward selecting solid CPG recruiters and search firms.
Which CPG Recruiter Will You Choose?
Hiring the right talent in the fast-paced world of CPG can be a game-changer.
The top 11 CPG recruiters, headhunters, and executive search firms highlighted in this article bring a wealth of industry-specific knowledge, networks, and expertise to the table.
Whether you're a multinational corporation or a growing entrepreneurial startup, these firms offer a strategic advantage in identifying and securing top-tier talent.
They understand the unique demands of the CPG sector, from food and beverages to cosmetics and beyond.
And they commit to finding skilled candidates who align with your company's culture and values.
Partnering with any of these recruitment experts will streamline your hiring process and propel your organization toward continued growth.
