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Fortune 500 Luxury Goods Brand - Japan Country Manager Replacement (Retained Search)
Upon the decision to relocate the existing Japan Country Manager to another region, the client’s challenge was to identify a replacement Country Manager with experience in both the luxury and FMCG markets.
The client was a group company within a Fortune 500 company that owns several major, global brands in the luxury goods, writing instrument industry. The company operates in over 100 countries with over 27,000 employees worldwide and sales over $US 6.5 Billion.
A replacement search needed to be conducted immediately after it was decided that the existing non-Japanese, Japan Country Manager would be moved to a regional role. The Japanese office was dealing with a number of luxury branded products and some ‘everyday’ products. It needed an expert that could understand the luxury market but could also work well through the faster channels – such as convenience stores and general merchandising stores. As the HQ was English speaking, but the market the company operated in was very domestic, the client needed someone that could easily bridge these differences.
The Partner and Researcher for Optia Partner’s Consumer team had a solid network of contacts within the consumer goods industry. Optia recommended that the client consider a candidate outside of the writing instrument industry, as they could bring a fresh approach to the market. As long as the candidate had strong branding experience with a solid knowledge of the required fast moving sales channels, the client could review a range of qualified candidates outside of their original brief.
Optia commenced the search and approached a number of key individuals in the market. It was determined after a number of meetings and discussions over 3 weeks, that we had three finalists for the role.
Based on our recommendation, interviews were next conducted by the Regional CFO and HR Director. From the interview, we received very positive reviews of all three candidates. Based on reference checks of one of the three an offer was extended.
The Regional CFO and President chose a recommended candidate who was not from the writing instrument industry, but as initially recommended, came from a strong branding and a fast moving consumer goods background.
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