A Toronto-based private equity fund management company, focused on mid-market buy-out opportunities in Canada and the US, purchased an American company that develops, markets and distributes pet products. To take this business to the next level, they quickly ascertained they required a new executive team. Challenged to assemble a leadership team, Mandrake carefully devised a new strategy to build an experienced, cohesive team of top executives for our client’s growing business.

Accelerating the growth of this new business would be a challenge for most qualified candidates. Our client, determined to double sales within five years both organically and through acquisitions, would need to hire a new Vice President of Supply Chain, Vice President of Sales, and a Chief Financial Officer with direct industry and private equity experience. Ideal candidates would be recognized as results-oriented leaders in operations management, international sourcing, and the consumer-packaged goods industry.

Starting with stakeholder interviews, Mandrake crafted a new strategy to build this dynamic, niche team of executive talent. We developed a company profile and reviewed the organizational structure to understand how these three roles fit within the organization. Profiles and a go-to-market strategy were created to identify potential candidates. Our consultants researched, recruited, interviewed and assessed prospective individuals.  We staggered the hiring process to fill the sales role first, followed by the supply chain role, and then the senior finance position.

Our exhaustive search of the marketplace yielded a small number of individuals that fit the criteria. The new VP of Supply Chain moved from a private-equity owned company and leveraged their20+ years of progressive management experience and a rapid-growth track record.  Mandrake assembled a very effective and competent leadership team poised to achieve the company’s growth objectives.