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Upskilling for Career Success

The consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector is always evolving. New trends, digital transformations, and shifting consumer demands are constant, making it essential for professionals to keep learning. Continuous learning and development aren’t just buzzwords—they’re critical for staying ahead and advancing your career in this competitive industry. 

Let’s explore why lifelong learning is a game-changer in CPG and how you can leverage it to boost your professional journey. 

Stay Ahead of Industry Trends 

The CPG industry moves fast. New consumer preferences, like the rise of plant-based foods and sustainable packaging, are changing the market landscape. Keeping up with these trends isn’t optional; it’s necessary for making informed decisions that drive business success. 

Many CPG giants, like Nestlé and Unilever, invest heavily in training programs that focus on sustainability, digital skills, and consumer insights. By learning continuously, employees at these companies stay ahead of the curve, develop innovative products, and lead strategic initiatives. As a professional in this space, staying updated on trends helps you anticipate market shifts and positions yourself as a valuable asset to your team. 

Pro Tip: Regularly attend industry webinars, enroll in courses related to sustainable practices, or participate in trade shows. These actions keep you connected with the latest developments and innovations. 

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Embrace Digital Transformation Skills 

Digital transformation is no longer a future goal; it’s an everyday reality in CPG. From leveraging big data to refining supply chain operations with AI, the integration of technology is reshaping how companies operate. To advance your career, building digital skills like data analytics, e-commerce strategies, and digital marketing is essential. 

 Procter & Gamble, for instance, uses data analytics to predict consumer preferences and optimize product distribution. By developing digital expertise, you can help your company make data-driven decisions, streamline processes, and drive growth.  

Take Action: Upskill with online courses focused on data analytics, familiarize yourself with tools like Salesforce or Tableau, and engage in hands-on projects that incorporate digital solutions into your daily work. 

Fuel Innovation and Problem-Solving 

Innovation drives the CPG industry forward. Whether it’s creating new products or enhancing sustainability practices, CPG companies thrive on fresh ideas and creative solutions. Lifelong learning fosters a mindset of innovation, equipping you with the skills to tackle challenges head-on. 

PepsiCo’s emphasis on fostering a culture of learning through innovation challenges is a great example. Employees participate in workshops and competitions where they present new ideas that can have a tangible impact on the business. This approach not only encourages personal growth but also sparks company-wide innovation. 

How to Get Involved: Join internal innovation workshops, engage in cross-functional projects, and don’t hesitate to pitch new ideas. Continuous learning cultivates creativity and positions you as an invaluable problem solver. 

Develop Leadership and Soft Skills 

While technical skills are crucial, leadership and interpersonal skills are just as important in the CPG industry. As roles evolve, the ability to lead teams, manage change, and communicate effectively becomes essential for career advancement. 

General Motors is known for its robust leadership development programs, invests heavily in teaching strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and change management. By enhancing these soft skills, employees are better prepared to take on leadership roles and guide their teams through industry challenges. 

Next Steps: Enroll in leadership workshops, seek mentorship opportunities within your company, and actively work on enhancing communication and adaptability skills. These investments will pay off as you progress into more senior roles. 

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Navigate Career Transitions with Confidence 

The CPG industry offers numerous career paths, from brand management to supply chain logistics. However, as the market evolves, you may find yourself needing to pivot or upskill to meet new demands. Continuous learning ensures that you remain adaptable, ready to explore new roles, and open to opportunities that align with your skills. 

For example, professionals who dive into sustainability topics can easily transition into roles focused on corporate social responsibility or product development that prioritizes environmental impact. Being proactive in learning keeps your career flexible and aligned with where the industry is heading. 

Proactive Approach: Identify potential career paths that interest you and align with your current skills. Pursue certifications or training that prepare you for these opportunities, allowing you to make confident transitions when needed. 

Conclusion: Make Learning Your Competitive Edge 

In the CPG sector, continuous learning isn’t just a tool—it’s your competitive edge. Whether you’re mastering digital skills, enhancing leadership capabilities, or driving innovation, investing in your growth sets you up for long-term success. Embrace lifelong learning to stay relevant, adaptable, and ahead in this ever-changing industry. 

For more insights on career growth in the CPG sector, check out our related articles here.  

 

Our Impact

In 1995, our founders embarked on a journey that would disrupt the status quo of the executive recruiting industry. We have been transforming companies and lives ever since.

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9,395

First Round Interviews

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3,000+

Total Placements

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47%

Diversity Placements

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$700M

Economic Impact

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Brent Albertson

CEO, Zing Zang LLC

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“ Our experience with Protis Global has been very positive. They have strong multi-industry CPG experience and understand our business model and standards. They know the difference between an “A-player” and a “B-player” in several functions, and the honesty around that standard helps us move faster. Mike and team set up a great process, especially in early canvassing and vetting that helps our leaders engage at the right time and make decisions fast. ”

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Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“Protis Global’s approach to talent acquisition is marked by diligence, transparency, and a genuine dedication to client satisfaction. Their strategic insights and personalized service have made a substantial impact on our organization, ensuring that we always have the best professionals driving our initiatives forward. The team at Protis Global demonstrates a keen ability to identify individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align seamlessly with our company culture.”

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Hilal Tabsh

Chief Revenue Officer, Glass House Brands

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Cannabis

“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

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Peter Iglesias

Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

“I highly recommend Protis Global as a top-notch recruiting agency. I have had the pleasure of working with them for the past 15 years, both as a candidate and employer in the Spirits and Wine industry. In my 25 years of experience, I have found Protis Global to be the most efficient and effective recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. Protis Global has consistently come through for me in the clutch, providing exceptional professionalism and execution in job searches and placements. Their dedication to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers sets them apart from other agencies. I have always been impressed by their ability to understand the needs of both parties and successfully connect them in a timely manner.”

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Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

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Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

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Brian Kuz

Chief Sales Officer

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“Protis is unique in their go-to-market strategy in that they not only find the right candidate for the role, but they find the right opportunity and company for the candidate. Protis Global looks for people who are ready to make a change...I will continue to recommend Protis Global as one of the best placement agencies in the World, as I have worked on every continent and have dealt with the big executive placement firms and the boutique ones. Protis shines above all, and as long as I am hiring, I will continue to go to Protis Global first, if not exclusively.”

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Chris Hall

CEO, poppi

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Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

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Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

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John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

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Kathleen Hutchison

Senior National Account Manager at Arla Foods

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Kayla was awesome and very thorough in her vetting of candidates. She understood our brief as we were looking for candidates and helped to weed through those who were not a good fit for the role. 

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Thomas Frisch

Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“The team worked quickly and efficiently to find a unique position.”

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Kim Nguyen

VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

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Shashank Gaur

VP of Product Technology & Innovation

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The interview process was smooth and extremely professional. Ben and team represented me as much as they represented the company. 

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Jeremy Schulman

Regional Business Manager - Foodservice

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Consistent communication, updates, and detailed knowledge of the client. The whole experience was top notch!

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Blake T. Bermingham

Supply Chain Manager

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

Very simplistic process finding the right role for the right candidate...keep up the great work! 

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Don Stohrer Jr.

CEO, Arla Foods USA

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“We’ve been a Protis Global client for eight years, and during this time have always appreciated the thoroughness of the recruitment process, as the candidates brought to us have been well-vetted, not only from a competency perspective, but more importantly from a [cultural] fit dynamic. Mike and the team have always been highly engaged to ensure they bring us candidates that match our culture. That’s been critical to the success of the candidates that have landed here by way of our relationship with Protis.”

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