Happy New Year
Alyssa Eckroth • January 8, 2025
Fresh Year, Fresh CPG Recruitment Opportunities: Collaborate with Our CPG Recruiters.
As we enter into 2025, here at Consumer Connection extend our warmest wishes for a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead. The dawn of a new year brings fresh opportunities, and we're here to support you in seizing them, whether you're a brand aiming to expand your team or a candidate eager to advance your career in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry.
For Brands: Building Your Dream Team
In the dynamic world of CPG, assembling a team that embodies innovation, efficiency, and cultural alignment is crucial for sustained success. At Consumer Connection, we specialize in recruiting top-tier talent across various sectors, including:
- Sales
- Supply Chain
- Operations
Our expertise spans diverse industries such as food & beverage, beauty & personal care, health & wellness, pet products, food service, and eCommerce. We pride ourselves on connecting you with candidates who possess both extensive experience and a passion for driving growth.
For Candidates: Elevating Your Career
If you're a professional seeking to make a significant impact in the CPG sector, Consumer Connection is your gateway to exciting opportunities. We collaborate with leading brands to place talent in roles that foster innovation and growth. Explore our current openings in:
- Sales
- Supply Chain & Operations
We understand that career advancement is more than just a job change; it's about finding the right fit where your skills and aspirations align with organizational goals.
Why Choose Consumer Connection?
- Industry Expertise: With years of experience, we have a deep understanding of the CPG landscape and its evolving trends.
- Personalized Approach: We take the time to understand your unique needs, culture, and objectives to ensure the best matches.
- Proven Success: Our track record includes successful partnerships with brands like Nutpods, Philadelphia Macaroni Company, and Country Archer Provisions.
Testimonials
"Consumer Connection has been a tremendous asset and resource to our team at Philadelphia Macaroni Company. By taking the time to listen and understand our needs, culture, and target profile, they leverage their industry knowledge and relationships to deliver impactful Sales partners using a timely and professional process. I highly recommend them as they are a joy to work with!"
— Susan Clemens, VP-People at Philadelphia Macaroni Company
"Consumer Connection excels at recruiting. They thoroughly understand roles and ask precise questions to refine the search. They assist in defining ideal candidate profiles to negotiating terms and finalizing agreements. In my experience, they are highly effective in finding top candidates."
— Eddie McDonald, Nutpods
~Connect with Us~
Embark on your new journey with Consumer Connection. Let's make 2025 a year of growth and success together!
Contact us at (425) 455-2770 or recruiter@ccinc.org
Exciting Career Opportunities in Food & CPG: Procurement Manager and R&D Applications Specialist The consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food manufacturing industry continues to expand, driving demand for innovative products, efficient supply chains, and skilled professionals. Two exciting career opportunities have opened up for experienced leaders looking to make an impact: Procurement Manager and R&D Applications Specialist . Whether your expertise lies in supply chain strategy or food product innovation, these roles offer the chance to shape the future of the food industry. Procurement Manager – Food & CPG Sector The Procurement Manager role is designed for a strategic thinker with a strong background in procurement, supply chain management, and vendor partnerships. This position is ideal for professionals with a proven track record in ingredient sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management. Key Responsibilities: Lead category-level sourcing strategies to align with business goals Manage end-to-end procurement processes, including RFPs, cost modeling, and supplier onboarding Conduct strategic market analysis and mitigate supply risks across global networks Partner with R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to qualify new suppliers and materials Oversee pricing activities, cost validation, and forecasting Implement supplier scorecards and performance improvement initiatives Build efficient tools, dashboards, and SOPs to improve procurement execution Ideal Candidate Profile: 5+ years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in CPG or food manufacturing Expertise in ingredient sourcing, vendor management, and contract negotiation Strong Excel skills and familiarity with ERP or procurement platforms Experience managing both ingredients and packaging procurement is highly valued Collaborative leader with the ability to coach and guide team members This is a high-impact supply chain and operations leadership role, where you’ll play a critical part in shaping sourcing strategies and driving operational excellence in the food industry. R&D Applications Specialist – Food Science & Innovation The R&D Applications Specialist role is perfect for a food scientist or product developer passionate about innovation, application development, and technical customer engagement. This position focuses on creating food and beverage applications that align with consumer trends, with an emphasis on coconut-based ingredients and functional food solutions. Key Responsibilities: Partner with sales teams to identify customer needs and deliver tailored recipe solutions Conduct application development, sensory evaluations, and prototype testing Create compelling customer presentations and product demos Collaborate cross-functionally to bring new products from concept to commercialization Gather and share market intelligence and competitive analysis to inform product innovation Attend industry trade shows and customer meetings to showcase technical expertise Train and support internal teams and distribution partners in technical selling Ideal Candidate Profile: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field Strong background in food formulation, product development, and B2B customer engagement Experience with food ingredients (coconut expertise is a plus) Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to bridge technical and non-technical audiences Creative, team-oriented, and passionate about food innovation This role offers the chance to be at the forefront of food product development, helping bring innovative concepts to life while working closely with customers, sales, and R&D teams. Why These Roles Matter Both positions are critical to the success of fast-growing food and beverage brands. The Procurement Manager ensures that supply chains remain resilient, cost-effective, and scalable, while the R&D Applications Specialist drives innovation and customer solutions. Together, they reflect the balance of operational excellence and creative product development that powers today’s food industry. If you’re looking to advance your career in the CPG and food manufacturing sector, these roles provide an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Why Partner With a Specialized CPG Recruiter? Finding professionals with expertise in procurement, supply chain, and food innovation can be challenging in today’s competitive market. That’s where partnering with a niche CPG recruiter makes all the difference. With deep connections across the industry and a clear understanding of what makes candidates successful in highly specialized roles, a recruiter with CPG focus helps companies: Identify and attract top-performing talent quickly Save time by reducing the noise of unqualified applicants Ensure stronger long-term hires by matching technical expertise with company culture At Consumer Connection, our team includes CPG Recruiters , Food & Beverage Recruiters , Natural Foods Recruiters , Consumer Packaged Goods Recruiters , and Supply Chain & Operations Recruiters . For brands focused on innovation, we also provide access to Category Management Recruiters , Shopper Marketing Recruiters , Beauty Industry Recruiters , and eCommerce Recruiters who understand the evolving landscape. For growing food and beverage brands, partnering with a specialized recruiter isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about building strong teams that fuel innovation and growth.
In today’s consumer goods landscape, the line between getting overlooked and getting acquired comes down to your network, your strategy, and the talent you put in place. Recent headlines tell the story. Bubbies Ice Cream was acquired by Marubeni America to tap global distribution and accelerate growth. Unilever acquired Dr. Squatch for its digitally native brand power and ability to scale beyond North America. E.l.f. Beauty’s billion dollar deal for Rhode, founded by Hailey Bieber, shows how community engagement and brand innovation drive value. Hershey’s acquisition of LesserEvil reflects a push into better for you snacking with leaders who are aligned on mission. TSG Consumer’s acquisition of fragrance brand PHLUR highlights the value of investors who protect creative vision while expanding reach. The through line is clear. Acquirers invest in more than products. They bet on people, brand story, cultural fit, and scalable systems. That is where Consumer Connection comes in. Why Consumer Connection is Your Strategic Advantage 1. We are industry insiders, not just recruiters These outcomes did not happen by accident. They emerged from relationships, category expertise, and the ability to recognize authentic growth potential and acquisition appeal. What we bring Deep insight into CPG category trends, buyer motivations, and cultural alignment A curated network of proven leaders who can guide your next phase 2. Top tier decision makers change outcomes Unilever did not choose Dr. Squatch only for its marketing. Strong leadership and cultural connection mattered. The Rhode team’s continued involvement post acquisition preserved authenticity and momentum. How Consumer Connection helps We source and vet executives who bring operational excellence, cultural leadership, and community resonance We support smooth leadership transitions that signal brand integrity to acquirers 3. We save you time and protect focus You should not spend weeks sorting resumes or running interviews that go nowhere. We streamline the pipeline and present only high fit, high impact candidates. The benefit You keep your focus on product, brand story, and market expansion while we run the hiring process You reduce risk, shorten time to hire, and move faster toward acquisition readiness What This Looks Like In Real Time Imagine you are ready to scale and need a Head of Brand Marketing or a CPG Strategy leader who understands influencer led growth, retail partnerships, and cultural traction. We activate our specialized network, evaluate for on brand leadership, and deliver a short list of the most promising hires. With Consumer Connection, you are not just filling a seat. You are building toward the moment when the right buyer calls. Your Golden Ticket to Acquisition Readiness Consumer Connection is more than a search firm. We are partners to emerging and established brands across the consumer landscape. What you gain CPG expertise . Guidance from people who understand what acquirers prioritize today Leadership that matches your brand . Strategic hires who drive scale while protecting your brand DNA Efficiency and precision . No wasted time, fewer mis hire costs, the right leaders at the right time We also meet you where you operate. Our team includes Consumer Products Recruiters , CPG Recruiters , and Consumer Packaged Goods Recruiters who understand the full value chain. For growth in specific verticals, we support brands with Food and Beverage Recruiters , Natural Foods Recruiters , Natural Products Recruiters , Beauty Industry Recruiters , and eCommerce Recruiters . On the commercial and operational side, we place leaders through our Category Management Recruiters , Shopper Marketing Recruiters , and Supply Chain and Operations Recruiters . This breadth helps you build the exact team an acquirer wants to see. Let’s move you from interesting brand to strategic acquisition target. Connect with us at ccinc.org so we can align on your hiring plan and position you to be ready when the opportunity arrives.
