Search Mandate
Bob’s Red Mill set out to hire a growth-oriented Senior Vice President of Marketing to help take the business to the next level after merging its marketing and sales operations into a single department.
The company needed a marketing leader skilled in brand management, innovation, and go-to-market strategy for an array of new product introductions central to its aggressive growth plan. The ideal candidate would bring significant experience driving revenue growth for a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company, while possessing an authentic, mission-driven leadership style essential to Bob Red Mill’s employee-owned business. “The challenge was finding the skillset and the leadership style that matched the Bob’s Red Mill culture,” said Tami Bumiller, Noto Group’s Principal Search Consultant who led the search.
Our Approach
After having already completed a successful CFO search for Bob’s Red Mill, Noto Group was able to efficiently and collaboratively work with the company’s CEO and HR team to develop the search parameters and process.
The search culminated in three candidates visiting the Bob’s Red Mill site for a full day of interviews. The candidates were also given a realistic job preview project and were asked to present their ideas to the senior leadership team. “When candidates present their projects, you can tell their level of engagement and how much research they put into it,” said Bumiller. “But more importantly, you can see how they present and how they handle questions and ideas put in front of them. It’s very revealing.”
Results
As the result of this process, Bob’s Red Mill hired Ally Borozan, who led innovation strategy and marketing for Kellogg Company’s $2 billion salty snack brands. Borozan had the classical CPG training and strong cultural fit Bob’s Red Mill was seeking. And she clearly differentiated herself when she presented her onsite project.
“Tami and Noto Group have a nose for personality and fit, and they’re the best in the business.”
--Ally Borozan, Chief Growth Officer, Bob’s Red Mill
Borozan described the hiring process as “thorough and detailed” and “tough, in a good way.” Unlike other recruiters who see candidates “as just another resume they’re sliding in,” Borozan said Bumiller had a thorough understanding of the Bob’s Red Mill business, the role, and the process—and that she was surprised by the intensity of the intake interview and the thoughtful questions Noto Group asked. “Tami and Noto Group have nose for personality and fit, and they’re the best in the business,” Borozan said.
Borozan said Bumiller took a deep interest in learning who she is both professionally and as a person, and was willing to coach her and provide advice throughout the hiring process. “She treated me like I mattered, not just another applicant,” she said.
Since joining Bob’s Red Mill in 2022, Borozan has expanded the company’s innovation pipeline from $2 million to $50 million in less than two years, while laying the foundation to double sales over a five-year period. And just 15 months after her hire, she was promoted to Chief Growth Officer, where she now leads both marketing and sales. “This is the best career decision I’ve ever made,” she said. “It’s been good for Bob’s Red Mill, and it’s been good for me.”
