A targeted search campaign enabled McCain Foods to secure a specialist HR Business Partner with the right blend of manufacturing and HR expertise.
McCain Foods were seeking to appoint a high-calibre HR Business Partner to work across multiple manufacturing sites, partnering closely with Plant Operations Managers while employee relations were managed centrally. This unique structure required an individual with exceptional stakeholder management skills, manufacturing sector experience, and a proven ability to influence in a complex matrix environment.
Compounding the challenge, McCain was undergoing significant senior HR leadership transition, including the appointment of a new Chief People Officer for the UK, relocating from a role in Canada. The business had already been searching for some time without success, as finding someone with the right balance of operational credibility, resilience, and strategic HR capability proved difficult.
Henderson Brown partnered with McCain Foods to deliver a targeted and proactive search campaign. Leveraging our deep networks in the food and manufacturing sector and our proven market mapping methodology, we identified and approached high-performing HR professionals with strong operational experience in comparable environments.
Rather than relying on traditional advertising, we conducted a bespoke headhunting exercise, engaging directly with passive candidates who matched the technical and cultural brief. Throughout the process, we maintained close communication with both McCain’s HR leadership and site teams to ensure alignment and pace during a time of organisational change.
Our approach resulted in the successful appointment of an HR Business Partner who met all the key criteria: credible with operational leaders, confident navigating a centralised HR model, and capable of building trust and engagement quickly across multiple sites.
The successful candidate has been highly praised for their impact, particularly in strengthening the link between central HR functions and site operations helping McCain achieve greater alignment and consistency across the HR agenda.
“Henderson Brown really understood the brief and the challenges we were facing.
The role required a very specific blend of HR and manufacturing expertise, and the
market wasn’t straightforward. Their market insight, communication, and ability to
bring strong, well-matched candidates to the table made all the difference. We’re
delighted with the outcome and the individual we’ve brought into the business.”
Talent Partner, McCain Foods
