Fresh Produce Recruitment
Why the Fresh Produce Industry Needs Specialist Recruiters
The fresh produce sector is one of the most dynamic and fast-moving industries in the world. With increasing demand for sustainable sourcing, innovation in breeding technology, and global expansion into new markets, the need for exceptional senior leadership has never been greater.
At LCR International, we specialise exclusively in retained and executive search for the fresh produce industry. Unlike generalist recruiters, we understand the nuances of this sector — from grower-shipper operations and category management to varietal development and international supply chains.
Our Approach to Fresh Produce Recruitment
Retained & Executive Search — Not Volume Recruitment
We work on a retained basis, dedicating focused time and resources to each search. This means we don't operate as a contingent or volume recruiter — instead, we take a consultative, research-led approach to identify and engage candidates who are genuinely right for the role.
Roles We Typically Recruit For
Our search mandates in the fresh produce space typically include:
- Commercial Directors & Category Leads
- Managing Directors & General Managers
- Technical Directors & Head Breeders
- Supply Chain & Operations Directors
- Sales & Business Development Leaders
- Country Managers & Regional Heads
Global Reach, Sector Depth
With a multilingual team and a network spanning six continents, we've placed leaders across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Whether you're a grower-shipper expanding into new markets, a breeding company scaling R&D, or an importer building out your commercial team — we've likely worked on a similar brief.
Ready to Find Your Next Leader?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about recruiting in the fresh produce sector.
The fresh produce industry has a relatively small, highly connected talent pool. A generalist recruiter may not understand the nuances of roles in breeding, category management, or grower-shipper operations. A specialist recruiter like LCR International has existing relationships with passive candidates across the sector and understands the technical and cultural requirements that make a placement successful.
We focus on senior and leadership-level positions — typically Director level and above. This includes Commercial Directors, Managing Directors, Technical Directors, Head Breeders, Supply Chain Directors, and Country or Regional Managers. We do not handle volume or entry-level recruitment.
In a retained search, the recruitment firm is engaged exclusively and works on a dedicated basis with an upfront commitment. This allows for deeper research, more thorough candidate assessment, and access to senior passive talent. Contingent recruitment is typically paid only on placement and often involves multiple agencies competing on the same role. LCR International works on a retained and executive search basis to ensure quality and confidentiality.
We operate globally, with a multilingual team and a network spanning six continents. We have placed leaders across Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Whether you are hiring for a single market or building an international leadership team, we can support your search.
Most retained searches are completed within 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the seniority and specificity of the role. We provide a structured timeline at the outset, with regular progress updates and candidate shortlists presented at agreed milestones. Urgent or confidential briefs can often be accelerated.