Executive Search
for Food Manufacturing
Leaders.
Executive Search
for Food Manufacturing
Leaders.
Executive Search
for Food Manufacturing
Leaders.
Williams Recruitment places Director-level and above talent at food manufacturing businesses across the US and internationally. Every placement is backed by the industry's only 12-month guarantee.
Williams Recruitment places Director-level and above talent at food manufacturing businesses across the US and internationally. Every placement is backed by the industry's only 12-month guarantee.
Williams Recruitment places Director-level and above talent at food manufacturing businesses across the US and internationally. Every placement is backed by the industry's only 12-month guarantee.
"You work directly with me, the same person who takes the brief, conducts the search, and presents the shortlist." Scott Williams · Founder
"You work directly with me, the same person who takes the brief, conducts the search, and presents the shortlist." Scott Williams · Founder
"You work directly with me, the same person who takes the brief, conducts the search, and presents the shortlist." Scott Williams · Founder
A boutique executive search firm.
Built exclusively for food manufacturing.
Williams Recruitment exists for one reason: to help food manufacturing businesses secure the senior leadership they need to grow. Not a generalist agency that dabbles in food. Not an FMCG recruiter covering everything from confectionery to cosmetics. A dedicated search practice that knows this industry from the factory floor up.
As a sole practitioner, every search is led personally by Scott Williams. The person you brief is the person doing the work. That accountability is by design — and it is the foundation of the Williams365 guarantee.
FINANCIAL TIMES TOP 150 UK RECRUITERS 2024
Independent recognition of search quality, ranked among the best specialist recruiters in the UK
Senior leadership search across food manufacturing
Every search is at Director-level or above. Every candidate is headhunted — not sourced from a job board. Every placement is backed by Williams365.
Executive Search
Retained, confidential search for MD, CEO, and C-suite appointments. Discreet outreach to passive candidates your competitors cannot reach.
Executive Search
Retained, confidential search for MD, CEO, and C-suite appointments. Discreet outreach to passive candidates your competitors cannot reach.
Executive Search
Retained, confidential search for MD, CEO, and C-suite appointments. Discreet outreach to passive candidates your competitors cannot reach.
Operations & Production
Plant Managers, Operations Directors, and Factory GMs who understand the pressures of a live manufacturing environment and can lead through them.
Operations & Production
Plant Managers, Operations Directors, and Factory GMs who understand the pressures of a live manufacturing environment and can lead through them.
Operations & Production
Plant Managers, Operations Directors, and Factory GMs who understand the pressures of a live manufacturing environment and can lead through them.
Quality & NPD
Technical Directors, FSQA Leaders, and Heads of Innovation with the credentials and credibility your business demands.
Quality & NPD
Technical Directors, FSQA Leaders, and Heads of Innovation with the credentials and credibility your business demands.
Quality & NPD
Technical Directors, FSQA Leaders, and Heads of Innovation with the credentials and credibility your business demands.
Supply Chain & Purchasing
Supply Chain Directors and Global Procurement Leaders who can stabilise sourcing, reduce exposure, and build resilient supply networks.
Supply Chain & Purchasing
Supply Chain Directors and Global Procurement Leaders who can stabilise sourcing, reduce exposure, and build resilient supply networks.
Supply Chain & Purchasing
Supply Chain Directors and Global Procurement Leaders who can stabilise sourcing, reduce exposure, and build resilient supply networks.
Maintenance & Engineering
Chief Engineers and Maintenance Directors who keep your plant running at the standard your customers expect — and your auditors demand.
Maintenance & Engineering
Chief Engineers and Maintenance Directors who keep your plant running at the standard your customers expect — and your auditors demand.
Maintenance & Engineering
Chief Engineers and Maintenance Directors who keep your plant running at the standard your customers expect — and your auditors demand.
The Williams365 Plan
Every placement. Every role. Guaranteed for 12 months. If the hire doesn't work out within the first year, we re-run the search at no cost.
A search process
built on accountability
A search process
built on accountability
Retained search. Personal leadership at every stage. No junior researchers, no volume pipeline, no shortcuts.
Retained search. Personal leadership at every stage. No junior researchers, no volume pipeline, no shortcuts.
1
Discovery & Brief
A thorough briefing covering your business, team structure, culture, competitive position, and what measurable success looks like at twelve months. We only accept searches we are fully confident we can deliver.
2
Active Headhunting
No job boards. Direct, personalised outreach to passive candidates across a network built exclusively in food manufacturing. Typically 10–20 targeted approaches per search, reaching talent your internal team cannot access.
3
Assessment & Shortlist
In-depth candidate assessment including structured competency evaluation, cultural alignment, and retention probability scoring. You receive 3–5 rigorously vetted profiles with a frank, direct recommendation.
4
Placement & Williams365
Offer management, onboarding support, and quarterly retention check-ins throughout the first year. If the hire doesn't work out within twelve months, we re-run the search at no additional cost.
2020
Established
2020
Established
10 years
Senior Recruitment
10 years
Senior Recruitment
20 years
Food Manufacturing
20 years
Food Manufacturing
A search process
built on accountability
Retained search. Personal leadership at every stage. No junior researchers, no volume pipeline, no shortcuts.
1
Discovery & Brief
A thorough briefing covering your business, team structure, culture, competitive position, and what measurable success looks like at twelve months. We only accept searches we are fully confident we can deliver.
2
Active Headhunting
No job boards. Direct, personalised outreach to passive candidates across a network built exclusively in food manufacturing. Typically 10–20 targeted approaches per search, reaching talent your internal team cannot access.
3
Assessment & Shortlist
In-depth candidate assessment including structured competency evaluation, cultural alignment, and retention probability scoring. You receive 3–5 rigorously vetted profiles with a frank, direct recommendation.
4
Placement & Williams365
Offer management, onboarding support, and quarterly retention check-ins throughout the first year. If the hire doesn't work out within twelve months, we re-run the search at no additional cost.
2020
Established
10 years
Senior Recruitment
20 years
Food Manufacturing
A track record that spans
continents and categories
Success You
Can See
A glimpse into our most impactful food manufacturing recruitment projects and success stories.
£474m Turnover
Managing Director
Whitworth Bros
Retained search for a new Managing Director due to a planned retirement
£95m Turnover
Global Head of Procurement
Kendamil
The search for a Global Head of Procurement for Kendamil
£20m Turnover Charity
Head of Supply Chain Insights
IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution)
The search for a Head of Supply Chain Insights for IGD
£30m Turnover
Operations Excellence Manager
Beechdean Dairies
New role into the business to drive operational excellence
£474m Turnover
Managing Director
Whitworth Bros
Retained search for a new Managing Director due to a planned retirement
£95m Turnover
Global Head of Procurement
Kendamil
The search for a Global Head of Procurement for Kendamil
£20m Turnover Charity
Head of Supply Chain Insights
IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution)
The search for a Head of Supply Chain Insights for IGD
£30m Turnover
Operations Excellence Manager
Beechdean Dairies
New role into the business to drive operational excellence
£474m Turnover
Managing Director
Whitworth Bros
Retained search for a new Managing Director due to a planned retirement
£95m Turnover
Global Head of Procurement
Kendamil
The search for a Global Head of Procurement for Kendamil
£20m Turnover Charity
Head of Supply Chain Insights
IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution)
The search for a Head of Supply Chain Insights for IGD
£30m Turnover
Operations Excellence Manager
Beechdean Dairies
New role into the business to drive operational excellence
£474m Turnover
Managing Director
Whitworth Bros
Retained search for a new Managing Director due to a planned retirement
£95m Turnover
Global Head of Procurement
Kendamil
The search for a Global Head of Procurement for Kendamil
£20m Turnover Charity
Head of Supply Chain Insights
IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution)
The search for a Head of Supply Chain Insights for IGD
£30m Turnover
Operations Excellence Manager
Beechdean Dairies
New role into the business to drive operational excellence
£474m Turnover
Managing Director
Whitworth Bros
Retained search for a new Managing Director due to a planned retirement
£95m Turnover
Global Head of Procurement
Kendamil
The search for a Global Head of Procurement for Kendamil
£20m Turnover Charity
Head of Supply Chain Insights
IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution)
The search for a Head of Supply Chain Insights for IGD
£30m Turnover
Operations Excellence Manager
Beechdean Dairies
New role into the business to drive operational excellence
£474m Turnover
Managing Director
Whitworth Bros
Retained search for a new Managing Director due to a planned retirement
£95m Turnover
Global Head of Procurement
Kendamil
The search for a Global Head of Procurement for Kendamil
£20m Turnover Charity
Head of Supply Chain Insights
IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution)
The search for a Head of Supply Chain Insights for IGD
£30m Turnover
Operations Excellence Manager
Beechdean Dairies
New role into the business to drive operational excellence
Williams365. Twelve months, not ninety days.
The standard recruitment guarantee is 90 days. For a senior leadership hire, that is not enough time to know whether the placement is working. Williams365 runs for a full calendar year.
If your placement leaves or underperforms within twelve months, we re-run the search. No renegotiation. No additional fee. No questions asked.
Others Agencies
Generic "FMCG" generalists
Focus on CV quantity (Vanity metrics)
90-day rebate period (Minimal risk-sharing)
Minimal post-placement support
Rely on outdated job board databases
Generic "FMCG" generalists
Focus on CV quantity (Vanity metrics)
90-day rebate period (Minimal risk-sharing)
Minimal post-placement support
Rely on outdated job board databases
Deep Food Manufacturing specialists
Focus on Retention Probability & KPI impact
Industry-Leading 12-Month Guarantee
Quarterly retention check-ins for the first year
Proactive Market Mapping of "Off-Market" talent
Deep Food Manufacturing specialists
Focus on Retention Probability & KPI impact
Industry-Leading 12-Month Guarantee
Quarterly retention check-ins for the first year
Proactive Market Mapping of "Off-Market" talent
Williams365. Twelve months, not ninety days.
The standard recruitment guarantee is 90 days. For a senior leadership hire, that is not enough time to know whether the placement is working. Williams365 runs for a full calendar year.
If your placement leaves or underperforms within twelve months, we re-run the search. No renegotiation. No additional fee. No questions asked.
Others Agencies
Generic "FMCG" generalists
Focus on CV quantity (Vanity metrics)
90-day rebate period (Minimal risk-sharing)
Minimal post-placement support
Rely on outdated job board databases
Deep Food Manufacturing specialists
Focus on Retention Probability & KPI impact
Industry-Leading 12-Month Guarantee
Quarterly retention check-ins for the first year
Proactive Market Mapping of "Off-Market" talent
What My Clients Say
What My
Clients Say
My food manufacturing clients’ words reflect my commitment to recruitment excellence.
"From the first call, it was clear that Scott understood our specific needs for a new Factory Manager. He didn't just send us CVs; he presented a perfectly matched shortlist of three exceptional candidates within a fortnight. The entire process was seamless, professional, and saved us an incredible amount of time. We’ve found a true leader for our team."
Managing Director, SME Chilled Foods Producer
"From the first call, it was clear that Scott understood our specific needs for a new Factory Manager. He didn't just send us CVs; he presented a perfectly matched shortlist of three exceptional candidates within a fortnight. The entire process was seamless, professional, and saved us an incredible amount of time. We’ve found a true leader for our team."
Managing Director, SME Chilled Foods Producer
"We had been struggling for months to fill a highly specialised Head of Technical role with other agencies. Williams Recruitment approached the challenge with incredible market knowledge and a truly targeted headhunting strategy. Their communication was excellent throughout, and they delivered a candidate who not only met the technical brief but was also a perfect cultural fit. They are now our go-to partner for all senior-level hires."
HR Director, National Bakery Group
"We had been struggling for months to fill a highly specialised Head of Technical role with other agencies. Williams Recruitment approached the challenge with incredible market knowledge and a truly targeted headhunting strategy. Their communication was excellent throughout, and they delivered a candidate who not only met the technical brief but was also a perfect cultural fit. They are now our go-to partner for all senior-level hires."
HR Director, National Bakery Group
"It was refreshing to work with a recruiter who genuinely speaks our language and understands the pressures of a fast-paced production environment. Scott presented candidates for our Operations Manager role who had real-world, relevant experience and could talk credibly about continuous improvement and team leadership. This wasn't just a keyword match; it was a search based on true industry insight."
Operations Director, UK Meat Processor
"It was refreshing to work with a recruiter who genuinely speaks our language and understands the pressures of a fast-paced production environment. Scott presented candidates for our Operations Manager role who had real-world, relevant experience and could talk credibly about continuous improvement and team leadership. This wasn't just a keyword match; it was a search based on true industry insight."
Operations Director, UK Meat Processor
"As a family-run business, finding a Commercial Director with the right cultural fit was just as important as their experience. Scott took the time to understand our unique values and ethos, handling the confidential search with the utmost discretion. He found us an individual who has not only driven growth but has also integrated perfectly into our senior leadership team. We couldn't be more pleased with the result."
Owner, Independent Confectionery Brand
"As a family-run business, finding a Commercial Director with the right cultural fit was just as important as their experience. Scott took the time to understand our unique values and ethos, handling the confidential search with the utmost discretion. He found us an individual who has not only driven growth but has also integrated perfectly into our senior leadership team. We couldn't be more pleased with the result."
Owner, Independent Confectionery Brand
"Our requirement for a Head of Supply Chain with experience in niche global ingredient sourcing was a true 'needle in a haystack' role. Williams Recruitment demonstrated exceptional tenacity and an impressive network, reaching candidates that were completely off-market. Their persistence paid off, and they found us the perfect specialist who has already made a significant impact on our operation."
CEO, Food Ingredient Supplier
"Our requirement for a Head of Supply Chain with experience in niche global ingredient sourcing was a true 'needle in a haystack' role. Williams Recruitment demonstrated exceptional tenacity and an impressive network, reaching candidates that were completely off-market. Their persistence paid off, and they found us the perfect specialist who has already made a significant impact on our operation."
CEO, Food Ingredient Supplier
"As a scaling business, we needed more than just a recruiter; we needed a strategic hiring partner. Scott provided invaluable market insights that helped us shape the job specification for our first Head of Sales. His consultative approach ensured we attracted the right level of talent, and he guided us expertly through the entire process from start to finish."
Founder, Frozen Foods Start-Up
"As a scaling business, we needed more than just a recruiter; we needed a strategic hiring partner. Scott provided invaluable market insights that helped us shape the job specification for our first Head of Sales. His consultative approach ensured we attracted the right level of talent, and he guided us expertly through the entire process from start to finish."
Founder, Frozen Foods Start-Up
"From the first call, it was clear that Scott understood our specific needs for a new Factory Manager. He didn't just send us CVs; he presented a perfectly matched shortlist of three exceptional candidates within a fortnight. The entire process was seamless, professional, and saved us an incredible amount of time. We’ve found a true leader for our team."
Managing Director, SME Chilled Foods Producer
"We had been struggling for months to fill a highly specialised Head of Technical role with other agencies. Williams Recruitment approached the challenge with incredible market knowledge and a truly targeted headhunting strategy. Their communication was excellent throughout, and they delivered a candidate who not only met the technical brief but was also a perfect cultural fit. They are now our go-to partner for all senior-level hires."
HR Director, National Bakery Group
"It was refreshing to work with a recruiter who genuinely speaks our language and understands the pressures of a fast-paced production environment. Scott presented candidates for our Operations Manager role who had real-world, relevant experience and could talk credibly about continuous improvement and team leadership. This wasn't just a keyword match; it was a search based on true industry insight."
Operations Director, UK Meat Processor
"As a family-run business, finding a Commercial Director with the right cultural fit was just as important as their experience. Scott took the time to understand our unique values and ethos, handling the confidential search with the utmost discretion. He found us an individual who has not only driven growth but has also integrated perfectly into our senior leadership team. We couldn't be more pleased with the result."
Owner, Independent Confectionery Brand
"Our requirement for a Head of Supply Chain with experience in niche global ingredient sourcing was a true 'needle in a haystack' role. Williams Recruitment demonstrated exceptional tenacity and an impressive network, reaching candidates that were completely off-market. Their persistence paid off, and they found us the perfect specialist who has already made a significant impact on our operation."
CEO, Food Ingredient Supplier
"As a scaling business, we needed more than just a recruiter; we needed a strategic hiring partner. Scott provided invaluable market insights that helped us shape the job specification for our first Head of Sales. His consultative approach ensured we attracted the right level of talent, and he guided us expertly through the entire process from start to finish."
Founder, Frozen Foods Start-Up
You work directly
with Scott.
Every time.
Williams Recruitment is a deliberate choice of model. As a sole practitioner, the person who takes your brief is the same person conducting the search, building the candidate relationships, assessing the shortlist, and sitting across the table at offer stage. There is no account management layer between you and the work.
With 20 years in food manufacturing and a decade focused exclusively on senior search, I founded Williams Recruitment around a single conviction: mid-market food businesses deserve a search partner who knows this industry as well as they do.
20 years in food manufacturing
10 years senior recruitment experience
Financial Times Top 150 UK Recruiters 2024
Retained search specialist — Director level and above
Scott Williams
Founder · Williams Recruitment
Why should I use Williams Recruitment over a larger, generalist "FMCG" agency?
You offer a 12-month guarantee. How does that work?
What specific roles and levels do you recruit for?
Where do you find your candidates? Are they just from job boards?
Do you work on a contingency ("no win, no fee") basis?
I have a very niche, confidential, or "hard-to-fill" vacancy. Can you help?
I'm interested. What is the first step?
Why should I use Williams Recruitment over a larger, generalist "FMCG" agency?
You offer a 12-month guarantee. How does that work?
What specific roles and levels do you recruit for?
Where do you find your candidates? Are they just from job boards?
Do you work on a contingency ("no win, no fee") basis?
I have a very niche, confidential, or "hard-to-fill" vacancy. Can you help?
I'm interested. What is the first step?
Why should I use Williams Recruitment over a larger, generalist "FMCG" agency?
You offer a 12-month guarantee. How does that work?
What specific roles and levels do you recruit for?
Where do you find your candidates? Are they just from job boards?
Do you work on a contingency ("no win, no fee") basis?
I have a very niche, confidential, or "hard-to-fill" vacancy. Can you help?
I'm interested. What is the first step?
Ready to build a stronger leadership team?
A 30-minute discovery call is the starting point. No obligation — just a direct conversation about your hiring challenge and whether Williams Recruitment is the right fit.
Ready to build a stronger leadership team?
A 30-minute discovery call is the starting point. No obligation — just a direct conversation about your hiring challenge and whether Williams Recruitment is the right fit.