A leading fresh produce company was ready to grow quickly in Germany, Austria, and the Benelux region. But there was one big challenge: they needed senior marketing leaders who had a very rare mix of skills. Not only did candidates need experience in fresh produce and FMCG, they also had to understand international retail, speak multiple languages, and adapt to different cultures across Europe.
The client was clear that rushing into a hire would be risky. They first needed to see what the talent landscape looked like before committing. And the more we looked at the role, the tougher it became:
The Challenges
- Niche expertise – Few candidates had fresh produce/FMCG marketing experience with German retail.
- Language barrier – Fluency in Spanish and German narrowed the talent pool even more.
- Relocation issues – Not many were willing to move countries for the role.
- Limited visibility – The client needed a clear view of who was available, where they were, and what skills they had.
The Strategy
Our team carried out detailed research and reached out to networks across Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Benelux, and Austria. We targeted marketing professionals with strong experience in brand, trade, and commercial marketing in fresh produce and FMCG.
We also looked for leaders who could work well with sales and distribution teams while building international strategies — people who not only had the technical knowledge but also the collaborative style the client needed.
The Result
We delivered a full talent map, complete with profiles, contact details, and LinkedIn links. We gave clear insights on candidate mobility, language skills, and willingness to relocate. On top of that, we provided a live candidate tracker so the client could stay engaged with potential hires.
The client also received a summary of market dynamics, giving them a clear picture of availability across their target regions. With this, they could make smart and confident hiring decisions.
Why They Chose LCR
- Clear and consistent communication – Our client praised our open and flexible dialogue.
- Strong candidate quality – Every profile we presented matched the technical and experience needs, with some standout talent identified.
- Continuous improvement – We adapted quickly to feedback, refining our pre-screening process around relocation.
