Agri-food recruitment agency for executives and managers

Since its creation in 2009, Leaderia has been recruiting executives and managers for the food industry and distribution sector, on permanent or long-term assignments.

 

Our specialized team of headhunters based in Paris, Nantes, Angers and Tours will help you assess, build and strengthen your management teams.

 

Whether you’re a manufacturer, distributor or retailer, we can help you identify the talent best suited to your needs and corporate culture across all distribution channels: supermarkets – FMCG, FoodService/RHF/CHR, BtoB industrial or wholesale, export or more specialized networks.

Which agri-food companies do we hunt for?

Leaderia recruits and supports all companies in the agri-food sector, whatever their size.
Our clients range from manufacturers to distributors and subcontractors. They cover all distribution circuits/channels, and in particular more specialized networks such as food retail, travel retail, artisan bakers, organic and frozen food chains, wine merchants, delicatessens, etc.

▪ Large international groups
▪ ETI
▪ SMES
▪ Agricultural cooperatives
▪ Family companies
▪ Investment funds and brand equity
▪ Start-ups

Testimonials

Approached by Leaderia to join the Leitmotiv group, I benefited from exceptionally smooth, professional, and supportive guidance from Anne-Marie. Her active listening and precise advice made me feel truly valued and treated as a partner. The transparency of the process, along with regular briefings and feedback, allowed me to approach each step with complete confidence. Beyond the recruitment itself, this support helped me clarify my future scope and enter my new role with total peace of mind.

Kevin Grandel de Keating

Marketing & Communication Director, Leitmotiv

I appreciated Leaderia’s structured and dynamic approach throughout the recruitment process. Our exchanges allowed us to carefully align the key challenges of the role, the mission, and my profile. The efficiency of the follow-up and the clarity of the feedback provided real transparency at every stage. A direct, rigorous approach with a strong focus on active listening.

Philippe Cambourg

S&OP Director, Sodexo

During my job search, I particularly appreciated the clarity and quality of my exchanges with Leaderia. Their adherence to timelines and attentive approach allowed us to accurately confirm the fit between my profile and the proposed role. Stéphane provided relevant, insightful advice throughout the entire process. An onboarding experience I whole-heartedly recommend.

Xavier Barbieux

Plant Manager, Coustenoble

I particularly appreciated the human touch and the quality of follow-up from the Leaderia team throughout my recruitment process. Our exchanges were consistently pleasant, smooth, and attentive to my needs. Marion was able to answer all my questions and guide me at every step. Thanks to this support, I secured my dream job.

Marjolaine Le Caignard

Auditor, Certis

Leaderia supported me throughout my job search with attentiveness and trust. Thanks to Stéphane and Marion’s advice, I was able to approach each stage of the process with peace of mind. The seamless communication and high quality of guidance quickly made me feel confident. This close working relationship was a true source of support throughout my entire journey.

David Hermon

Site Director, Fromagerie du Val de Sienne

Faced with a talent shortage, we turned to Leaderia on the recommendation of our partner Unigrains. The team quickly understood our key challenges, and we particularly appreciated the straightforward and genuine nature of our exchanges. The high caliber of candidates presented gave us access to profiles we likely wouldn’t have identified on our own. As a result, we recruited two team members who are now fully integrated, all while saving valuable time.

Aude Fouctière

HR Director, Beillevaire Group

We called upon Leaderia to recruit a Business Development Manager responsible for launching a new product in the food-service market. Their deep knowledge of the HORECA sector and immediate understanding of our strategy were key to our success. We particularly appreciated the team’s availability, responsiveness, transparency, and high-quality follow-up. Their guidance allowed us to navigate this strategic recruitment with total peace of mind.

Farida Riahi

HR France Director, AB Mauri France

Looking to take my career in a new direction, Anne-Marie took the time to understand my background and aspirations. She presented me with an opportunity I wouldn’t have considered on my own: managing a Relais & Châteaux property in the Paris region. I particularly appreciated the quality of our exchanges, the transparency of the process, and Leaderia’s ability to create a genuine match between talent and a project. Two years on, this opportunity has proven to be a true career and life-changing decision.

Clément Gohin

Managing Director, Hôtel Les Lumières

In a context of rapid growth, we entrusted Leaderia with recruiting two executive profiles that were particularly challenging to identify. Marion quickly understood our challenges and supported us with responsiveness, transparency, and a close working relationship. Her ability to adjust the search based on our ongoing discussions was especially valuable. Both recruitments were a complete success, and both employees are still with the company today.

Domitille Baudin

HR Director, Calicéo

As part of a strategic position creation, we were looking for an experienced, agile profile capable of supporting the launch and structuring of a new brand. Anne-Marie’s active listening and quality dialogue quickly built a strong relationship of trust. Her guidance also helped us refine our requirements and realign our search whenever necessary. Ultimately, we found the right candidate to structure and support our organization over the long term.

Raphaël de Laage

Managing Director, AH Management

I completed a 4-month part-time interim management mission for a Leaderia client. The assignment was a perfect match for my expertise, enabling me to address the client’s needs quickly and effectively. The ongoing communication with both parties was seamless, supported by monthly progress reviews.

Hélène Orliac

CSR Interim Manager

I needed someone to lay the groundwork, define a vision and action plan, structure, streamline, prioritize, and measure the impact of our decisions. Leaderia found the right person in just two days and connected us almost immediately.

Laurence Gad

CEO & CSR Lead, Seritel

Anaïs, the consultant who supported us on our various recruitments, made a deep effort to understand our company beyond the job scope itself, our human environment, philosophy, and values, to present us with a candidate who was both skilled and a great fit for our team.

Jean-Marc Venin

CEO, Ami Ingrédients

Through this testimonial, I would like to highlight the quality of Leaderia’s support, starting with the time spent understanding our needs and our core identity, as well as the relevance of the questions asked during the initial brief.

Pascal Reungoat

Sales Director, Ami Ingrédients

The recruitment process established by Leaderia is exceptionally well-crafted. The brief regarding the employer’s needs is clear and precise, and the exchanges with Anne-Marie are open, constructive, and effortless.

Matthieu Barreau

General Manager, Les Hôtels Paris Rive Gauche

Leaderia supported us in recruiting strategic positions within our organization.

Corentin Allée

HR Director, Kersia

Over the years and across our various collaborations, I have come to deeply appreciate the extensive expertise and professionalism of Anne-Marie Lefèvre and Leaderia in truly understanding our industry.

Stéphane Tabardel

Operations Director, ACCOR Midscale / Luxury Franchise Network

What agri-food professions are we recruiting for?

We recruit from C-level to middle management, including technical experts, for head office and operational functions.

General Management and Subsidiaries
  • General Manager
  • Executive Vice-President
  • General Secretary
  • Country Manager
  • Business Unit Manager
Read more
Support
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Human Resources Director
  • Industrial Director
  • Director of Operations
  • Purchasing Director
  • Director of Strategic Projects and Transformation
  • Logistics Director
  • Supply Chain Director
  • Controlling Director
  • General Counsel
  • S&OP Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Payroll Manager
  • HR Manager
  • Recruitment Manager
  • Training Manager
  • Mobility & Career Manager
  • Administrative & Financial Manager
  • General, Customer or Supplier Accountant
  • Commercial or Industrial Management Controller
  • Sales Planners and Forecasters
  • Treasurer
  • Raw Materials Buyer
Voir
Sales & Marketing
  • Sales manager
  • National Sales manager
  • Multi-channel sales manager
  • Marketing manager
  • Category Management Director
  • E-Commerce Director
  • Customer Director
  • Key Accounts Director
  • Export Director
  • Internal Communication Director
  • Retail Chain Director
  • Brand Manager
  • Group Manager
  • National / Regional Sales Manager
  • Merchandising Manager
  • Food Marketplace Manager
  • Key Account Manager / International / KAM Foodservice and Retail (GMS)
  • Product Manager
Voir plus
Production
  • QHSE / Quality Manager
  • Research & Development Director
  • Bakery plant manager
  • Plant/site manager
  • Operations Director or Manager
  • Director of Operational Excellence
  • Production Director or Manager
  • Technical Director
  • Packaging Manager
  • Product Development Manager
  • Product Quality Manager
  • Maintenance Manager
  • Factory Flow Manager
  • Performance and Continuous Improvement Manager
  • Plant-Based Solutions Manager
  • R&D Project Manager
  • Food Process Engineer
Read more

We find the ingredients for your success

What expertise do we have in food products?

Over the past 15 years, Leaderia has recruited in all areas of the food industry:

  • Ultra-fresh products: butchery, seafood and fruit & vegetables
  • Fresh products: dairy, creamery, charcuterie
  • Catering, snacking and prepared meals
  • Frozen foods
  • Savoury and sweet groceries: cookies, confectionery, tea, coffee, world products
  • Bakery, pastry and flour products
  • Alcoholic beverages: cider, wine, beer, spirits and champagne and non-alcoholic beverages (brewery, BRSA, water, etc.)
  • Animal nutrition and pet food
  • Drugstore-Parfumery-Hygiene

The complete Leaderia service offering

In addition to recruitment, Leaderia can also assist you in :

cabinet management transition

Interim management

If you need specific, immediate expertise for a given period of time

bilan de compétence

Assessment

If you need to assess an employee's potential for internal development

Coaching dirigeant

Coaching

If an employee needs to gain intra- or inter-personal skills.

Cabinet outplacement

Outplacement

If an employee needs to move on to a new professional opportunity

cabinet de recrutement nantes

Recruitment

If you are looking to strengthen your team with strategic profiles

Formation recrutement

Professional training

If you want to strengthen the recruitment expertise of your HR teams

More about us

Why trust Leaderia with your food industry recruitment needs?

  1. Our 15 Years of Experience
    Leaderia was founded in 2009 by Louis-Simon Faure, following 10 years at Mars Inc. and Baron de Rothschild Wines & Champagnes. Drawing on his experience within these major food industry groups, he ventured into recruitment, initially focusing on the consumer goods sector. He was soon joined by other consultants, expanding Leaderia’s expertise to the agricultural and hospitality sectors.For the past 15 years, our mission has remained simple: to contribute to the common good by supporting the development of the food industry through the right talent.Over the years, through numerous recruitments, interviews, meetings, and assignments, we have built an extensive and highly qualified candidate database, now comprising tens of thousands of food industry specialists.

 

 

  1. Our Areas of Expertise
    As a specialized recruitment and HR consulting firm, Leaderia is structured into four distinct divisions:
  • Agriculture
  • Agri-Food
  • Hospitality & Catering
  • Wine & Spirits

This organization enables us to support all industry professionals across the entire value chain, covering everything from farm to table.

We are driven by strong human values. As a purpose-driven company, we approach headhunting with heart, always prioritizing quality over volume.

 

  1. Our Dedicated Team
    Our dedicated team for recruitment and consulting in the agri-food industry consists of three consultants and a research team:
  • Aurélien Vétault – Committed and passionate about talent and organizational development, Aurélien specializes in building strong leadership teams capable of shaping the future and executing corporate strategies. With 6.5 years of experience in the agri-food sector, first as a recruiter and then as a manager in Commerce, Finance, and Marketing, he also holds a background in occupational psychology. His dual expertise in psychometric assessment and the agri-food industry allows him to evaluate candidates with precision and nuance. Through a comprehensive and personalized approach, considering skills, personality, cognitive potential, interests, motivations, and values, Aurélien helps businesses make informed decisions about top-level talent.

 

  • Stéphane Loiseau – A specialist in agri-food recruitment, particularly in Western France (Nantes, Brittany, Pays de la Loire), Stéphane has been recruiting for over 20 years. He has successfully placed candidates at key local industry players, including:
    Frais Émincés, La Noirmoutier, Chaudronnerie Cognaçaise, CHOBLET Muscadet, Agrial, Sel de Noirmoutier, Vegepolys, GEVES, Premier Tech, Lur Berry, CORALI, and many more.

What Is Our Agri-Food Recruitment Process?

Our Recruitment Process in 6 Steps

  • Client Briefing & Advisory – Defining the search strategy, scope, and key competencies.
  • Targeting & Direct Approach – Identifying and reaching out to potential candidates.
  • Interviews & Psychometric Assessments – Conducting in-depth evaluations and testing.
  • Candidate Selection & Shortlist – Presenting the most suitable profiles.
  • Client-Candidate Meetings – Organizing interviews between talents and clients.
  • Final Decision Support – Assisting in the selection and hiring process.

How much does headhunting in the food industry cost?

Our Fixed-Fee Model

Leaderia operates on a fixed-fee basis. Since each company and recruitment need is unique, the fee is determined after a tailored assessment of the requirements, considering:

  • Compensation level
  • Location
  • Rarity of the talent sought
  • Level of confidentiality
  • Degree of urgency
  • The minimum fixed fee is €12,000.

What is the employment trend in the food industry?

Continuous Innovation in the Agri-Food Industry

The agri-food sector is constantly evolving, driven by shifting consumer trends, environmental concerns, technological advancements, and regulatory changes.

Here are some of the key trends shaping the industry’s continuous adaptation and innovation:

  • Integration of AI and Robotics to enhance production efficiency and supply chain management.
  • Use of advanced software for HR management, product tracking, and quality control.
  • Development of tracking technologies to ensure transparency and food safety across the supply chain.
  • Emergence of innovative startups and partnerships between large and small companies to drive innovation.
  • Increased investment in R&D to create new products and improve existing processes.
  • Growth of e-commerce in the food sector, with a rising demand for home delivery services.
  • Stronger food safety regulations and standards to ensure product quality.
  • Tighter local and international regulations affecting production, labeling, and distribution.
  • Rising ethical standards in food production, including animal welfare and fair trade.
  • Supply chain adaptation to quickly respond to demand fluctuations and disruptions.
  • Growing demand for functional foods offering health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
  • Increasing consumer preference for organic and natural products.
  • These ongoing transformations push the agri-food industry to constantly innovate and adapt to new challenges and expectations.

 

 

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