- OUR promise
Here to exceed your unique hiring and talent needs.
In the spirit of collaborating, connecting, and cultivating, our differentiators are rooted in building long-term, flexible, and transparent relationships with our clients, keeping their priorities every step of the way.
Keyhires' focus has been met with the purpose of having all of the capabilities of a larger firm while being more nimble and entrepreneurial in the marketplace. This is exhibited by our qualified people, innovative fee structures, and our focused service offerings in Executive Search and Talent Acquisition.
In conjunction with providing talent management services, we provide built-in advisory services with every search, including a detailed compensation analysis, a broader market and industry overview, and the assignment of an Executive Coach to provide onboarding and an accelerated transition for each placement.
- WHAT WE ARE SEEING
The hiring landscape has shifted.
Industrial companies are facing headwinds that make hiring harder than ever. These are the realities we help our clients navigate every day.
01
Razor-thin margins demand the right leader
In food and beverage, operational efficiency is everything. A leadership vacancy or a wrong hire at the top does not just cost a salary. It disrupts supply chains, production schedules, and retailer relationships that took years to build.
02
Regulatory complexity is increasing
Food safety, labeling standards, sustainability mandates, and shifting consumer expectations require leaders who can navigate compliance at scale while still driving innovation and speed to market.
03
Consumer tastes change faster than
your org chart
Tech, healthcare, and private equity are pulling from the same leadership talent pool. Food processing companies need a compelling value proposition and a fast, decisive process to win top candidates.
04
Supply chain leadership is in short supply
Post-pandemic disruptions exposed how few senior leaders truly understand end-to-end supply chain resilience. The ones who do are being courted by every CPG and food company in the market.
05
Private equity is compressing timelines
PE-backed food and beverage brands need leaders who can deliver results on a compressed investment horizon. Finding someone who can operate at that pace and build a sustainable business is a narrow search.
06
Retaining talent against lifestyle brands
High-growth DTC food brands and lifestyle companies are attracting executive talent with equity, flexibility, and mission-driven culture. Traditional food manufacturers need to compete on more than compensation alone.
- OUR SERVICES
Two core disciplines. One mission.
Focused expertise in finding and placing the leadership talent that drives your organization forward.
EXECUTIVE SEARCH
Consultants — not recruiters — who build a framework for compensation, retention, and long-term fit, backed by the same data and technology-enabled research behind every KeyHires search.
01 Engagement & discovery
02 Data-backed market research & candidate development
03 Assessment & presentation
04 Negotiation, close & onboarding
- OUR EXPERIENCE
Proven across industry leaders.
Select engagements that demonstrate our depth in food and beverage manufacturing.
Sargento, headquartered in Wisconsin, with $1B in sales is a leading supplier of custom cheese products to restaurant operators and other foodservice operators; its food ingredients division makes cheese products for other food manufacturers.
POSITIONS PLACED:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Senior Vice President, Manufacturing & Supply Chain
- Senior Vice President, Manufacturing and Engineering
- Vice President, Operations
- Vice President, Sales
- Vice President, Food Safety & Quality
- Vice President, Strategic Planning
- Director, Consumer Products
- Director, Marketing (2x)
- Director, Brand Management
McCormick & Company is a Fortune 1000 company and the global leader in flavor. They manufacture, market and distribute spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry including retail outlets, food manufacturers, foodservice operators and restaurants.
POSITIONS PLACED:
- Director of Finance
- Head of Research & Development
- General Manager of Marketing
- General Manager of Industrial Foods
Conagra Brands, headquartered in Chicago, is a $12B sales and 18,000 plus employee corporation that offers packaged and frozen foods including Healthy Choice, Hunt’s, Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, etc.
POSITIONS PLACED:
- Director of Marketing
- Director of Sales
- Marketing Directors
- Brand Managers
Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, part of Froneri, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of ice cream and frozen dessert products. Its portfolio includes iconic brands such as Häagen-Dazs®, Drumstick®, Edy’s® & Dreyer’s™, Outshine®, OREO® Frozen Treats, and Skinny Cow®, spanning premium ice cream, cones, bars, fruit-based treats, and frozen snacks.
POSITIONS PLACED:
- Director, Lean Continuous Improvement, Distribution Operations
- Director, Lean Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Operations
- Director, Growth & Profitability
Kendall-Jackson Winery has been operating since 1982 when it released its first vintage of Chardonnay. Today, the winery is committed to producing the highest quality wines. Through responsible land management, sustainable practices and artisan winemaking techniques, Kendall-Jackson is committed to quality in all things.
POSITIONS PLACED:
- Vice President, Operations
- Regional Controller - Arizona
- Regional Controller - Napa
Crown Imports LLC is a joint venture that imports, distributes, and markets the Modelo portfolio and other fine beer brands across the entire U.S. The Crown portfolio includes Corona Extra, the #1 imported beer in the U.S. and #5 beer overall, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, Victoria, St. Pauli Girl, and the Tsingtao beer brands.
POSITIONS PLACED:
- Vice President, Human Resources
- Brand Manager
- Talent Acquisition Process
From engagement to integration.
The need for qualified senior level executives is drastically outpacing the supply.
- OUR FoOD AND BEVERAGE PRACTICE
Deep roots in food and beverage leadership.
Our Food and Beverage Practice Group works in both mature and growing businesses supporting search mandates for C-Suite, Senior Executive, and key leadership appointments.
Our team in the food and beverage industry is an innovative and experienced group of management consultants who understand the particular challenges of attracting and recruiting highly qualified leaders within the food and beverage and consumer insight landscape. We have led executive search programs across the nation to build a competitive advantage for our clients.
Our consultants bring a wealth of personal experience gained through both client search engagements and previous business operational experience with industry organizations.
Regardless of the size and the corporate culture of your business, we have the team to provide outstanding candidates to fill your management search needs. Our industry expertise, professionalism, integrity, and high-touch processes enable our food and beverage practice to gain credibility with clients, candidates, and industry leaders on a national basis.
- learn more
Food for thought.
Hear from our leadership team on the trends shaping today's hiring landscape.
A hiring misstep does not just impact one role. It affects productivity, operational continuity, team performance, and long-term growth. Managing Directors Morgan and Nick Layton discuss how leadership gaps ripple across an organization and why making the right hire is a strategic business decision.
A failed hire doesn’t stay internal—it sends a signal to the entire market. Competitors, candidates, and industry peers are watching. When a role needs to be refilled, it can erode credibility, “sour the well,” and make it harder to attract top talent. Getting the right leader in place from the start is critical to protecting both performance and reputation.
- YOUR point of contact
The person who knows your industry.
Title: Founder, Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected] Phone: (847) 722-4180
About Bernard Layton
Bernard Layton has over 35 years of mid-level and senior-level executive search experience executing over 1,000 searches across numerous industries, including Financial Services, Private Equity, Consulting, Food, Retail, Consumer Products, Engineering, Industrial Products, Medical Products, Biotechnology, and Construction.
Before founding KeyHires, he built and led the Chicago office of Stanton Chase beginning in 2008. Previously, Bernard operated his own search practice (Peoplenext, Nicholas Partners) for over 15 years, assisting both U.S. and multi-national clients with their senior management needs.
Earlier in his career, Bernard spent 6 years with S.R. Clarke Executive Search managing key clients in San Francisco and initiating the Chicago office. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for MorganWorks and S.R. Clarke.
