- 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 processing, 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 Automotive industries 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 processing 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 manufacturing.
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
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
- Talent Acquisition Process
From engagement to integration.
The need for qualified senior level executives is drastically outpacing the supply.
- OUR FoOD processing PRACTICE
Deep roots in food processing leadership.
Our Food Processing 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 processing 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 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.
- YOUR point of contact
The person who knows your industry.
Title: Vice President, Sales
Email: nlayton@keyhires.com Phone: (847) 373-6520
About Nick Layton
Nick Layton is the Vice President of Sales at KeyHires, where he leads revenue growth, client acquisition, and strategic sales initiatives across the organization. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in executive search and talent consulting, Nick partners with organizations to help them solve complex hiring challenges through data-driven talent acquisition.
Throughout his career, Nick has built a reputation as a trusted advisor who understands the intersection of business strategy and talent. His deep knowledge of the Industrial, Technology, and Financial sectors enables him to help clients identify opportunities, develop talent strategies, and build the teams necessary to support long-term growth.
Prior to joining KeyHires, Nick served as a Managing Consultant with Korn Ferry, where he led searches across corporate development, risk management, procurement, and financial planning and analysis functions.
Before Korn Ferry, Nick spent more than a decade with Stanton Chase International, conducting over 350 executive search engagements and supporting clients throughout the Midwest. Recognized for his leadership potential and business impact, he was selected for Stanton Chase’s prestigious High Potential Program, an initiative designed to develop the firm’s next generation of global leaders.
Nick earned his degree in International Business from Lake Forest College, where he was a member of the college’s golf team.
