REASON FOR THE SEARCH

The company was initially seeking a VP of Strategic Sourcing due to the business's supply chain presenting some issues that needed managing. However, they decided to upgrade the position to Chief Operating Officer due to the exceptional talent that we found them.

THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM

Blackford Capital is a family and founder-owned firm, headquartered in Michigan. The firm acquires, manages, and builds lower-middle-market manufacturing, industrial, and distribution companies. The Michigan-based firm boasts over $60 million in transaction value and has made 34 acquisitions, priding itself on its long history of value creation.

THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY

Boston Trade Interior Solutions was established in 1979 and completes more than 200 design and construction projects per annum. They are headquartered in Illinois and have three sites across the US. The company has recently purchased three bolt-on companies.

The company’s culture is fast-paced, and the business aims to build strong relationships with customers. They focus on delivering results in a timely manner and upholding their commitments.

THE SEARCH REQUIREMENTS

The mandate sought a candidate for a business services organization that primarily operated within the hospitality industry. The client did the interior refurbishment of the upper-middle market, luxury hotels. The search required that the talent be familiar with building a supply chain from the ground up, including experience with overcoming logistical challenges in a post-COVID world. The talent was required to have exposure to sourcing from Southeast Asian markets, while also having the acumen to synthesize consortia of ‘pre-selected’ suppliers.

• 15+ years’ experience in leading global sourcing teams
• Experience selling to the hospitality industry
• Rich knowledge of international labor and regulatory standards
• Experience with shipping and logistics
• Degree or Master in Supply Chain

WHY RAW SELECTION

Boston Trade Interior Solutions was on the lookout for a new VP to join their team due to needing support in managing supply chains and driving the business forward. However, they opted to raise the position of VP to COO as the quality of the talent we had provided them was exceptional.

Finding talent that was willing to relocate and had global exposure and operational acumen was a challenge. The candidates needed to have similar verticals to the client-targeted markets, exposure to low-cost countries, and understand the necessary due diligence process that has to take place with respect to identifying, shortlisting, and building networks and timelines for delivery of products sourced from Southeast Asian manufacturers.

The client had previously interrogated the market but was unsuccessful in identifying and placing talent that could align with the specification of the position. With an extensive amount of requirements, the search proved to be a challenge. Therefore, they turned to Raw Selection, who are proven in completing difficult searches across Europe and North America.

Raw Selection exceeded expectations by following a meticulous and detailed process. The questioning was critical in determining whether or not each candidate met all of the requirements and in what context. We needed to know if they could implement valuable changes and significantly improve the supply chain. As a result, we had to tailor each set of questions to the individual in order for them to disclose their specific professional experience and skills.

THE PROCESS

To secure the candidate, Raw Selection followed their extensive 15-step process to ensure a great match was found for the vacancy.

The market was mapped for desired talent, and conversations with respective talent were used as a yardstick to determine both expertise and the level of execution at an implementation level. It became apparent that outside of competing organizations, success in finding the right talent involved targeting individuals who operated in similar verticals to the client's organization. This called for a search beyond the hospitality sector.

To secure this candidate, the interview was conducted on a weekend. To keep the talent engaged through the process to closure, we involved the Managing Partner of Raw Selection to adjust the substantive interview conversations with the client and the PE firm at a time to suit the talent. We discussed the candidate's long-term career growth aspirations in the face of 2 counter offers. To secure the talent, lengthy conversations took place into the early hours. Overall, Raw Selection completed a very successful search within 8 weeks.

Raw Selection commenced every search by discussing and understanding the full search requirement and brief. Raw Selection’s Senior Associate, Sean Butt, led the search and worked with Managing Partner, Alex Rawlings, who with the cooperation of Paul Doyle, the hiring manager, built out a full picture of the company, the employees, the culture, and exactly the type of profile that was needed to succeed in this position.

Raw Selection followed our extensive 15-step search process, identifying 77 potential profiles which were fully evaluated and then cut down to a shortlist of 14, all of whom had been fully interviewed and measured for culture fit.

Raw Selection identified an exceptional individual, Jade Russell, who was subsequently hired for the role.

Overall, this search for what was originally a VP role was an exceptional success, with the talent ultimately joining the firm as a COO.

THOUGHTS ON THE SEARCH

To our surprise, the initial salary band for what the client desired was not aligned with the current US market value of what similar talent was being acquired for. To leverage this initial disadvantage, the standing of the PE backers to this client was highlighted as a key player and driving force within the private equity world.

As a direct result of this search, the client has acquired a COO, who not only has the outstanding operational capability to execute but who is extremely driven to deliver a realignment of strategy that takes into consideration current market trends in the world of strategic sourcing, given the impact of a post-COVID environment. The talent brings a wealth of experience that will enhance the reputation of the client as a key player within the US hospitality industry.

The client is committed to the long-standing relationship that it has with Raw Selection Executive Search. The services of our firm are exclusively retained by the client, due to both present and historic delivery on acquiring the necessary talent, for the PE firm’s associated portfolio organizations.

GET IN TOUCH

Raw Selection favors a meticulous approach to talent research. Our process for selecting the right talent means we can boast a 100% success rate for all our retained and engaged C-Suite clients, with 100% of placed candidates still in their roles after 12 months.

If you are looking for new talent, please get in contact with Alex today, at alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com