Your Food and Beverage Recruitment Specialists
We are Bristol Associates, a boutique executive search firm, founded in 1967. As a core focus since our founding, our Food and Beverage recruitment division has been placing top talent at leading companies in the food industry for over 55 years. Our experienced F&B recruiters successfully complete searches using our comprehensive industry knowledge, extensive network, and ever-expanding database. We have an excellent track record and are regarded as one of the top search firms in the industry, recruiting key executives across all functions, both nationwide and globally.
Our vast client base encompasses a broad spectrum of companies of all sizes, including production and manufacturing businesses, first-stage agricultural suppliers, consumer packaged foods, finished food and beverage product manufacturers (for retail and foodservice channels), as well as formulated ingredients, foodservice ingredients, industrial ingredients, nutritional supplement providers, and businesses involved with CBD products. We also work with start-ups, turnaround operations, and private-equity firms to find the best candidates to fit our client’s unique requirements. Bristol also practices in the Restaurant and Foodservice and CBD industries.
The retained search service Bristol offers includes sourcing, screening, qualified candidate submissions, interview scheduling, and negotiating employment and compensation packages of selected finalists. Each search is unique, and we provide personalized service to gain an in-depth understanding of our clients at the start of our relationship. Our strategy is mindfully tailored based on each client’s needs and culture. We strive to find the best fit for our client companies as well as our candidates. The connections we form with both our clients and candidates are valued, and we maintain these relationships with great care.
Given our firm’s industry focus and vast database of talent, we have in-depth knowledge of compensation ranges from C-suite executives to mid-level management. We regularly advise clients on current job market conditions and consult on matters of compensation including base salaries, bonus programs, commission structures, incentives, benefits, and long-term compensation. For a fair rate, we will provide customized compensation information, à la carte to our main retained search services. The salary data we provide is always anonymous, in that it is tied to job titles and not executives’ names.
Food and Beverage Manufacturing Survey
Since 2020, Bristol has conducted the Annual Food and Beverage Manufacturing Survey, which is designed to help the F&B industry attract, retain, and motivate its talent. Yearly analysis provides insight on professionals’ current attitudes and preferences towards their workplace and the industry at large, as well as how they change over the years and how they relate to overall market conditions. View more about our Survey here.
We Recruit for a Variety of Food and Beverage Functions
Join the Many Food and Beverage Companies That Already Recruit with Bristol Associates
Our Satisfied Clients Love to Share Their Experiences Working with Bristol Associates
Why Work with Bristol Associates?
Over 55 Years in Business
We have specialized in executive search since 1967, and are now in our 3rd generation of family ownership.
Specialized
We have unrivaled industry knowledge in the areas in which we focus.
Individualized Service
We provide consultative, individualized service to our client companies. We pride ourselves in conducting our processes confidentially when necessary.
Network of Candidates
With over 1M+ relevant candidates in our private database, and growing every day, we have a strong network of senior-level talent across the board.
Responsiveness
Our recruiters value a communicative relationship with our select client companies and candidates, providing updates throughout the search.
Experienced
Our exceptional lead recruiters each have at least 15 years’ of experience in executive search.
Partner with Bristol Associates
Our Successful Food and Beverage Searches Keep Our Clients Coming Back
Chief Executive Officer
Our firm was selected by a privately held food ingredient distributor to complete their CEO search. The position serves as a hands-on manager, working to grow business profitably, improve the work environment, and increase the company’s efficiency. They will also collaborate with the Board of Directors and management team to plan, prioritize, and achieve financial and strategic objectives. Our placed candidate had nearly 20 years of experience as President and CFO in the food manufacturing industry at the time of hire. As part of the role, they are now the “face” of the organization internally and externally.
Chief Financial Officer
Our client is a fast-growing, progressive company providing premium-quality natural foods to consumer retail and foodservice channels. Responsibilities for the role include directing accounting policies, procedures and internal controls; overseeing insurance, risk management, IT Systems, corporate HR functions, and ERP systems; establishing and maintaining relationships with commercial bankers; structuring debt arrangements; and ensuring debt covenant compliance. Our placed candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting along with over 10 years of progressive food industry experience in a manufacturing setting.
Vice President of Quality Control and Food Safety Compliance
We completed this search for a privately held, family-owned and operated company that has been in the bottled water business for over 60 years. The position is responsible for assisting in the training and management of the quality control department and overseeing the company’s food safety program across nine manufacturing facilities, as well as leading and managing internal and external audit teams to ensure quality control and food safety compliance and consistency. Our placed candidate leads and manages the design and maintenance of a comprehensive food safety compliance program, including formulation and program document updates, performance of regular audits, and continual department personnel training.
Purchasing and Planning Manager
Our client is a long-established, highly regarded category leader located in Southern California. The Purchasing and Planning Manager works with the executive management team to implement new and improved processes. Our placed candidate is now responsible for developing and implementing ways to make the planning process of the organization more effective.
We Can Fill Your Roles Across the Food and Beverage Industry
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Director of Foodservice Sales
- Food Scientist
- General Manager (GM)
- Plant Controller
- Plant Manager
- President
- Purchasing Director
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Regional Sales Manager
- Vice President of Engineering
- Vice President of Food Safety and Quality
- Vice President of Marketing
- Vice President of Operations
- Vice President of Research and Development
- Vice President of Sales
- Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics
Check Out Our Latest Food and Beverage Jobs
Our client is an operator of several restaurant chains, located throughout the United States. We…
Maintenance Manager
West Coast
Our client is a family-owned company. They are a manufacturer of frozen, ready-to-cook protein products…
Controller – Retained
Los Angeles, CA
We have been retained by a manufacturer of food products that offers a range of…