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Embracing Diversity in the Food Industry

In a world where taste knows no boundaries and flavors unite, diversity defines the food industry’s richness and depth.

Diversity is not just about what’s on the plate but also about who’s behind it, shaping tastes, innovating products, and pushing boundaries. We’ve witnessed the food industry’s strides in fostering an inclusive, diverse workforce while sourcing top talent for it.

Diversity in the Food Industry

Diversity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s an invaluable asset that fosters innovation, creativity, and a broader understanding of global tastes and preferences. With its colorful tapestry of cultures and cuisines, the food industry holds a unique position to actively champion diversity in its workforce. From farm to table, the sector is embracing inclusivity in remarkable ways. 

One of the most notable aspects of this movement is the emphasis on representation at every level. Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of diverse leadership, and rightly so. Hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds in executive roles brings fresh perspectives. It fosters an environment where all voices are heard and valued.

The Importance of Brand Culture

At our recruiting firm, we’ve seen a shift in the hiring landscape within the food industry. Companies are actively seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds, not just for compliance but for the competitive edge it brings. Terms like “cultural fit” are evolving into “cultural contribution,” recognizing unique experiences and perspectives as assets that enhance team dynamics.

This shift is evident not only in the hiring practices but also in initiatives aimed at nurturing talent from underrepresented communities. Mentorship programs, scholarships, and partnerships with educational institutions are just a few examples of how the food industry is sowing the seeds of inclusivity for future generations. 

Furthermore, the focus on diversity doesn’t limit itself to the corporate offices. Manufacturing kitchens, the heart and soul of the food industry, are also witnessing a transformation. Manufacturing kitchens are becoming melting pots of talent, welcoming aspiring chefs from diverse backgrounds. This diversity in culinary teams brings an infusion of varied techniques, flavors, and cultural nuances to the dining experience.

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Commitment to Diversity

It’s crucial to acknowledge that fostering diversity isn’t a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing commitment. Companies are implementing strategies to ensure an inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels valued and respected. Training programs on unconscious bias, cultural sensitivity, and equitable opportunities are becoming integral parts of the organizational fabric. 

The ripple effects of this inclusivity are not just confined within the industry. Consumers, now more than ever, are conscious of the values and ethos behind the food they enjoy. They appreciate and resonate with brands that champion diversity and inclusivity. A diverse workforce doesn’t just enhance innovation; it also helps companies better understand and cater to the diverse palates of their customers. 

This positive change, however, doesn’t come without challenges. Breaking through long-standing barriers and biases requires concerted efforts and a commitment from all stakeholders. Challenges such as access to opportunities, systemic biases, and the need for continuous education and awareness persist. Yet, the industry’s resilience and the strides being made stand as a testament to the collective dedication to creating a more inclusive environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the food industry is progressing by actively embracing diverse leadership and cultivating talent pipelines from all backgrounds, steering towards a future where every individual’s unique contribution is celebrated and valued.

At our executive recruiting firm, we take pride in our role in this transformative journey. We connect talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and match them with opportunities that align with their skills. More importantly, we pair them with companies that celebrate their uniqueness.

As the culinary landscape continues to evolve, we’re excited to witness the rich tapestry of flavors, cultures, and talents converging to create a more vibrant and inclusive food industry for generations to come.

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

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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
Food

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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