Case Study Snapshot
- Role: Operations Manager
- Sector: Fresh Produce and Soft Fruit Production
- Market: Agadir, Morocco
- Search Type: Retained Executive Search
- Outcome: Operations leader appointed within nine weeks, ahead of deadline
Supporting Growth Through Site-Level Management
Our client is a leading soft fruit producer, specialising in raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. With strong European distribution partnerships and a focus on sustainability and innovation, the business maintains consistent year-round supply.
As operations expanded in Morocco, the organisation identified the need to strengthen on-site leadership to support efficiency, quality, and workforce management. The appointment of an experienced Operations Manager was central to maintaining performance during a period of growth.
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A Complex and Time-Critical Brief
The successful candidate needed strong operational management experience within the fresh produce sector, particularly berries, alongside the ability to adapt to Moroccan business culture.
Fluency in English and French was essential, with Arabic considered advantageous. At the outset, role requirements were still developing, adding complexity to the assignment.
Combined with a high volume of applicants and a fixed four-month deadline, the search required rapid clarification and disciplined execution.
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Structuring High-Volume Assessment
LCR began with a detailed briefing session to refine the role profile, success measures, and cultural expectations. This ensured alignment and enabled efficient screening.
Given the level of interest, LCR implemented a structured multi-stage assessment process, prioritising candidates with relevant sector experience and cross-cultural capability.
Within three weeks, we reviewed 57 suitable profiles, narrowed these to eight high-potential candidates, and progressed three to final-stage interviews.
This approach balanced speed with rigour.
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Delivering a Market-Ready Operations Leader
Within nine weeks, LCR secured an Operations Manager who met the client’s technical, linguistic, and cultural requirements.
The appointed candidate brought strong berry-sector expertise and multilingual capability, enabling rapid integration into the local team.
Early appointment allowed the client to onboard the new leader ahead of a major operational project, supporting continuity and preparedness.
