Your Food & Agriculture Industry Executive Search Firm Partner

We are proud to partner with top Food & Agriculture companies on nationwide executive searches. Our track record spans a breadth of product categories including coffee, hay, wine, jerky, dairy & cheese, co-ops, timber, beverage, hops, and seafood. We can help you find your next Food & Agriculture leader too.

Our methodology enables us to quickly recruit the executive talent you are looking for to give you peace of mind about your team leadership.

Specialized Recruiters for Food & Agriculture Leadership

At Herd Freed Hartz, we specialize in food industry executive search, helping food and agriculture companies secure the leadership talent they need to grow, innovate, and compete. In a sector critical to global health, economic resilience, and sustainability, having the right executives in place is mission-critical.

With the world population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 (UN FAO), the food and ag industry must rise to the challenge—scaling sustainably, meeting changing consumer preferences, and leveraging innovation across the supply chain. As a premier food industry executive recruiter, we partner with food manufacturers, agricultural producers, CPG brands, cooperatives, and trade associations to recruit leaders who drive long-term value.

Example: When Midwest Dairy needed a new CEO, we collaborated closely with the Board to identify a culturally aligned, mission-driven executive with a proven ability to scale impact while honoring the organization’s legacy.

Why Food & Agriculture Executive Recruiting Requires Industry Expertise

Recruiting executives in the food and agriculture industry isn’t one-size-fits-all. It requires deep knowledge of:

• Agribusiness operations and biological cycles
• Commodity markets and food supply chains
• Regulatory compliance and sustainability standards
• Emerging technologies in automation, data, and traceability

Whether you’re a vertical farming startup, a global food ingredient processor, or a legacy family-owned agribusiness, your leadership needs are unique. According to AgCareers.com, demand for agri-food professionals with hybrid leadership and technical skillsets has grown by 39% in the past five years.

Our food and agriculture executive search practice is built to meet that demand. We go beyond resumes to find leaders who combine:

• Operational excellence with strategic agility
• Sustainability know-how with supply chain fluency
• People-first leadership with business acumen

Case Study: Recruiting the Executive Director for United Catcher Boats, a key nonprofit seafood trade association, required advocacy experience, industry knowledge, and the leadership to represent a vital link in the food industry supply chain.

Best Practices in Food Industry Executive Search

The current hiring environment is competitive and candidate-driven—especially in food and agriculture leadership. Top executives seek purpose-driven organizations that align with their values, offer strategic opportunities, and understand the balance between tradition and innovation.

As a seasoned food industry executive search firm, we bring a proven process to every engagement:

• Role definition aligned to business goals
• Performance-based candidate profiling
• Employer brand alignment to attract top-tier candidates
• Deep vetting for cultural fit and retention potential

We deliver highly targeted, fast-moving searches that result in aligned leadership placements that endure.

Rooted in the Northwest. Delivering Nationwide Impact.

With deep roots in the Pacific Northwest—from the Yakima Valley to the Willamette Valley—Herd Freed Hartz understands the cultural, agricultural, and economic drivers of the regional food system. But our food industry executive search capabilities extend nationwide.

We’ve placed senior leaders at:

• Organic and natural food brands
• Family-owned CPG businesses
• Large-scale cooperatives and agribusiness ventures

Example: For Wild Mike’s Pizza, a growing Portland-based brand, we sourced top CPG merchandising leaders to help them expand their retail presence and drive growth.

Our boutique approach means we don’t just fill roles—we place leaders who understand your company’s vision, market, and growth trajectory.

Let’s Talk Leadership that Nourishes Growth In the Food Industry

In the food and agriculture sector, where volatility and opportunity go hand-in-hand, leadership makes the difference. Whether you’re planning succession, launching new products, or expanding into new markets, the right executive hire can be a game-changer.

Herd Freed Hartz is your trusted food industry executive recruiter—ready to help you navigate change, scale sustainably, and secure the talent that drives long-term impact.Connect With Us Ready to build your next generation of leadership in food and agriculture? Let’s talk about how we can support your food industry executive search needs today.