Our Client:
A mission-driven regional grocer with a progressive workplace and a private equity majority investor.
The Situation:
With a new CEO and an aggressive growth strategy in place, the company engaged Noto Group to round out their management team with exceptionally talented and mission-minded leaders. Working with both the CEO and the majority investor, Noto Group helped the company build out their leadership team with a Chief People Officer, Head of Marketing and Head of Store Development. Subsequent placements included a Chief Financial Officer and Head of Brand.
People First
The Chief People Officer was the first priority, with a focus on bringing in a Human Resources leader to help champion the culture of this progressive, non-traditional and growth-oriented grocer.
Noto Expertise
Noto Group brought a unique point of view to the sourcing, infusing the strategy with a focus on culture, as well as subject matter expertise and leadership experience. Looking outside of grocery and targeting other food-related retailers, we were able to attract unique candidates to the opportunity by leveraging the New Seasons story; one of a conscious, zero-waste B Corp, delivering amazing product and experiences for the people that enter their stores.
Working with an external Human Resources consultant, we created a collaborative interview process with extensive preparation of the internal interviewers to ensure objective competency-based assessment and feedback. Significant time was spent early in the process to identify the competencies and culture fit needed for the role, train internal stakeholders and ensure a positive experience for the candidates.
Result
After an extensive and persistent search, Noto Group recruited the Chief People Officer from a premium specialty coffee retailer with a loyal customer base and strong reputation for putting people first. The placement brought a thoughtful, strategic and holistic view to Human Resources, providing a broad business view and cultural alignment in addition to functional expertise.
Taking Marketing to the Next Level
With the Head of People onboard, Noto Group then partnered with the company on a Head of Marketing, a new role that was the company’s first elevated leader over Marketing.
Noto Expertise
Applying the competencies developed in the previous search, we first targeted the grocery space but found that potential candidates did not have the innovative and progressive marketing experience that the company was seeking to take their messaging to the next level, create compelling product stories and re-position their private label brand. Leveraging our network in consumer products and retail, we expanded our sourcing strategy and outreach to include other complementary industries.
Result
We found their Head of Marketing in a place they didn’t expect…fashion. A strong communicator and straight-forward thinker with a learning mindset, we saw great potential. Through structured interviewing and a Realistic Job Preview project, we were able to validate a strong fit for the role and placed an amazing Head of Marketing that has elevated their brand to what it is today.
