How our team helped Agrana Establish their UK Sales Force with 2 Strategic Hires
How our team helped Agrana Establish their UK Sales Force with 2 Strategic Hires
Agrana, a leading Austrian-based company in food and ingredients, had a mission: to strengthen their UK sales force in their fruit division. They needed to hire a professional who could take charge of their Dairy, Foodservice, and QSR business channels. A role focused on the dairy market where they already had a strong presence, and on Foodservice and QSR, which was a key growth area for the company. Here's how we helped Agrana.
Understanding Agrana's Needs
Agrana approached us with a clear challenge: they needed a candidate with a proven sales track record within the B2B ingredients market and specific experience in the dairy and ice cream sectors. Additionally, they sought someone with experience in the Foodservice and QSR channel—a market where they had limited presence but recognised its long-term importance.
The Approach: Our Strategic Search Process
Stakeholder Meetings: We met with Agrana’s HR and Commercial Leadership teams to understand the exact requirements and set expectations for the hires. Market Insights & Benchmarking: We provided detailed insights into the UK job market, helping Agrana align their salary budget with industry standards to attract the best talent. Market Mapping: We mapped out the competition and other organisations that were active in the dairy and foodservice/QSR sectors. Targeted Search: We created a list of 90 potential candidates who had experience in Agrana’s target markets or relevant industries. Attracting the Right Talent: We reached out to a smaller, more targeted group of candidates, sharing details about Agrana’s vision for the UK market and growth potential within the roles. Shortlisting & Interviews: After screening the candidates, we presented a shortlist complete with CVs, video introductions, and executive summaries. We coordinated all stages of the interview process and managed negotiations between Agrana and the candidates.
Overcoming Challenges: The Pivot
At the start of the search, we identified a key concern—finding a candidate who would bring the right amount of expertise in both dairy and foodservice/QSR achieving desired results would be difficult. The data we collected from the market justified this concern, and we shared our findings with Agrana. As a result, they adapted their approach, ultimately hiring two professionals with unique skill sets that addressed both needs.
The Results: Two Exceptional Hires
Despite the challenge of finding candidates with expertise in both dairy and foodservice/QSR—two distinct sectors that many businesses treat separately—we successfully found two professionals who were perfect for the roles:
Yasin Shaikh: A Dairy Technologist who had transitioned into sales, bringing a deep understanding of both dairy and non-dairy markets.
Ryan Gaskin: A seasoned sales professional with a proven track record in building business from scratch within the QSR and Foodservice sectors, particularly with major coffee chains.
Both candidates have integrated seamlessly into Agrana’s business, with outstanding feedback on their performance and contribution.
Testimonials from the Candidates
Both Yasin and Ryan shared positive feedback about their experience working with us:
Ryan Gaskin: “Jamie demonstrated a genuine interest in my career goals, providing valuable insights into the job market and offering guidance throughout the process. His communication and dedication made all the difference in securing my role at Agrana.”
Yasin Shaikh: “Jamie provided exceptional support and guidance, offering clear insights and constructive feedback throughout. His professionalism and commitment helped me secure my new role, and I highly recommend him to anyone in the food industry seeking new opportunities.”
Conclusion: How We Can Help You Build Your Team
If you’re looking to expand your commercial team and make strategic hires like Agrana, we can help. Our process is designed to deliver high-calibre candidates who meet your unique needs. Contact us today to learn how we can support your recruitment goals and help you achieve similar results.
