Food Service Recruiters | Food Service Executive Search

Your food service recruitment agency

The future of food

Concerns over consumer health and diet, sustainability issues, and packaging waste, are influencing the recruiting search for candidates in the Food Service sector.

Manufacturers, distributors, hospitality venues, QSRs, and full-service restaurants have a variety of staffing needs, but have this in common: they must innovate to survive. In almost every area of business, they are either implementing digital transformation, or they are competing with it.

Manufacturers are heavily engaged in research and product development, which has brought them increased revenue streams gained through data science. Distributors are seeking supply chain management improvements, as well as logistics and distribution expertise. Hospitality and restaurant chains are using ICT and algorithms to connect with their audiences and deliver a memorable customer experience.

We have been recruiting for Food Service since 1983 and have built a strong national network of Consultants and Research Associates. They combine tech-savvy awareness with years of proven success working at all levels of the industry.

Lock’s functional expertise begins with our traditional strength in Sales and Marketing. We have expanded our Practice in this area to include Operations and Supply Chain Management, Market Research, Retail Activation, Category Management, Shopping Platforms, Customer Analytics, Business Information, and Financial Management. We are connected, nationally and internationally, with the top performers and the emerging leaders in the Food Service sector.

We fill a variety of food service roles

Chief Marketing Officer
Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment CPFR Analyst
Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment CPFR Manager
Customer Insights Manager
Director - Banquets

Director - Catering Services
Director Food Services
Executive Chef
Financial Planning Manager

Manager Banquets
Regional Sales Manager
Somelier
VP Marketing

What our clients say about our recruiters

The team at Lock has really helped us find amazing people to join our business. Jackson has been really great to work with and has proven that he understands our needs as a company, and the ideal candidate to deliver on our customer promise, which makes all the difference!

Todd Pollock

Vice President Food and Beverage, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited

Lock offers a range of services to meet your business needs

Executive Search

Lock Search Group’s distinctive “contained” executive search model combines the thoroughness of traditional retained search with performance-based accountability to deliver exceptional C-suite and senior leadership talent. Our proven three-phase methodology, led by experienced Senior Consultants and backed by dedicated industry-specific recruitment teams, ensures comprehensive coverage of the executive talent market. We leverage our national network and extensive research capabilities to track industry movements, mergers, acquisitions, and leadership changes, providing clients with real-time market intelligence. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles ensures we source the absolute best available talent without bias, maintaining a fair and equitable search process. Our track record speaks for itself, with successful placements including Board Members, CEOs, CFOs, Presidents, and numerous Vice Presidents across multiple functions and industries.

Retained Search

Our Retained Search service establishes an exclusive partnership with organizations seeking to fill critical senior and mid-level positions through a comprehensive, priority-based approach. By dedicating our full resources and attention to your search, we conduct extensive market mapping and develop robust talent pipelines that ensure access to the highest caliber candidates. Our team provides regular progress updates and detailed market intelligence reports, keeping you informed throughout the entire search process. We manage everything from initial candidate assessment through final offer negotiation, ensuring a smooth and professional experience for both clients and candidates. This service includes post-placement integration support to ensure successful onboarding and long-term success of placed candidates.

Contingency Search

Our Contingency Search service offers a flexible, success-based recruiting solution designed to efficiently fill professional and technical positions with qualified talent. Organizations benefit from immediate access to our extensive candidate database and network, with payment required only upon successful placement. Our streamlined recruitment process focuses on quick response times and efficient candidate presentation, making it ideal for time-sensitive placements and organizations with variable hiring needs. We handle all aspects of the recruitment process, from initial screening through offer negotiation, while maintaining the flexibility to work alongside other agencies if desired. This results-driven approach ensures we remain highly motivated to identify and secure the right talent for your organization while minimizing your upfront investment.