The Produce Industry's Executive Recruiting Partner

Joe Produce Search is the trusted executive recruiting partner for the produce industry and adjacent sectors. From mid-management to the C-suite, we deliver growth leaders aligned to your culture and built to perform.

15+

Years in Produce Recruiting

250+

Produce Companies Served

30K+

Industry Professionals in Our Network

Who We Are

Joe Produce Search is a relationship-driven recruiting partner dedicated exclusively to the produce industry. We bring together deep industry connection, trusted relationships, and thoughtful search expertise to help companies and professionals make meaningful, long-term matches.

What We Do

At Joe Produce Search, we partner with companies across the produce industry to identify, engage, and place proven talent from mid-management through the C-suite. Our approach is proactive and relationship-driven. We do not rely on inbound applicants; we go directly to the market to identify and engage the right talent. Through trusted relationships and ongoing conversations across the industry, we stay connected to accomplished professionals and develop a deeper understanding of their experience, goals, and future aspirations. That is what allows us to make thoughtful introductions and connect our clients with exceptional talent at the right time.

We are engaged to recruit:

C-Level, Senior, and Mid-Level Leadership
Sales, Business Development, and Marketing
Procurement
Supply Chain, Logistics, and Operations
Food Safety and QA/QC
Finance and Accounting Leadership
Human Resources Leadership
Growing and Production

Deep Industry Connection

We maintain trusted relationships across the produce industry, allowing us to stay connected to exceptional professionals over time.

Insight Beyond the Resume

We look beyond qualifications alone, considering leadership, culture fit, motivation, and long-term potential.

Strategic Introductions

We bring the right people together at the right time, helping companies make strong hires and professionals make meaningful career moves.

The Art of People.
The Science of Search.

We blend trusted relationships, industry insight, and a proven process to identify leaders who are equipped to perform, aligned to culture, and positioned for long-term success.

Qualified Professionals, Carefully Introduced

EQiQ stands for Exclusive Quick Introductions to Qualified Professionals. We regularly connect with individuals who distinguish themselves among their peers and are open to considering the right next career move. Through this program, we make timely, mutually confidential introductions between proven talent and hiring leaders when the fit is right. When a candidate catches your interest, contact our team to learn more.

Director of National Sales

EQiQ Candidate

› Branded produce & consumer products executive

› Expands retail reach across diverse markets

› Builds disciplined, results-focused sales teams

A versatile commercial leader with extensive experience growing fresh produce and consumer brands through major retail channels. This executive understands how to tailor sales strategies to different customers and markets while balancing direct relationships with outside sales partners and distribution networks. Known for building capable teams, bringing structure to commercial planning and using market information to uncover opportunities. This leader could help an organization broaden its customer base, strengthen its market presence and create a more scalable approach to growth.

This introduction is confidential. Please contact the Joe Produce Search team for more information.

Ref #398232720

VP of Sales

EQiQ Candidate

› Fresh produce sales & marketing leader

› Builds strategic customer programs

› Connects market opportunity with supply

A collaborative, growth-minded commercial leader with extensive experience across fresh produce sales, marketing and category development. This executive understands how to translate customer needs and market insights into programs that benefit both the business and its supply partners. Known for building trusted relationships, developing capable teams and bringing a thoughtful approach to planning and execution. This executive could help a produce organization deepen customer partnerships, sharpen its commercial strategy and pursue thoughtful, sustainable growth.

This introduction is confidential. Please contact the Joe Produce Search team for more information.

Ref #250836916

COO/ AG Ops Expert

EQiQ Candidate

› Respected agricultural & grower relations leader

› Connects field realities with business priorities

› Builds enduring partnerships across the supply base

A grounded, highly experienced agricultural leader with a strong understanding of farming, crop performance and grower partnerships. This executive brings the perspective of someone who has worked both alongside growers and from within large-scale farming organizations, creating uncommon credibility in the field. Known for sound judgment, practical problem-solving and a humble, relationship-centered leadership style. This leader could help a produce company strengthen its grower network, navigate production challenges and build agricultural programs that support quality, consistency and long-term success.

This introduction is confidential. Please contact the Joe Produce Search team for more information.

Ref #412221616

President / General Manager

EQiQ Candidate

› Growth-focused produce & consumer brands executive

› Brings commercial and operational leadership together

› Strengthens profitability, accountability & culture

An accomplished senior executive with broad experience leading produce and consumer-focused businesses through growth and change. This leader understands how sales, operations, supply and financial performance must work together to produce sustainable results. Known for evaluating complex situations, identifying opportunities and creating greater discipline across an organization. This executive offers the breadth to lead an entire produce business, strengthen its leadership team and create greater alignment across commercial, operational and financial priorities.

This introduction is confidential. Please contact the Joe Produce Search team for more information.

Ref #413197988

Chief Commercial Officer

EQiQ Candidate

› National retail & branded produce executive

› Builds and scales high-value sales platforms

› Drives revenue, customer growth & team performance

A people-centered, commercially focused leader with extensive experience serving major retailers and growing produce brands. This executive combines strategic account leadership with a practical understanding of customer needs, market opportunities and day-to-day execution. Known for strengthening important partnerships, creating greater focus within sales organizations and bringing teams together around shared goals. This executive would bring immediate value to a produce organization looking to expand national accounts, strengthen commercial structure and remain closely connected to customers and execution.

This introduction is confidential. Please contact the Joe Produce Search team for more information.

Ref #222742147

CEO / President

EQiQ Candidate

› Guides established companies through next-stage growth

› Builds capable, aligned leadership teams

› Brings structure to succession, growth & change

A seasoned business leader with strong sales and marketing roots and a clear understanding of what it takes to move an established organization forward. As a strategic member of the C-suite, this executive knows how to evaluate existing talent, strengthen leadership, introduce the right level of structure and create greater alignment across the business. Particularly valuable during periods of succession or transition, this leader can honor what made a company successful while preparing its people, processes and culture for the opportunities ahead.

This introduction is confidential. Please contact the Joe Produce Search team for more information.

Ref #105475311

VP of Operations

EQiQ Candidate

› Hands-on value-added operations leader

› Scales plants, improves yield, throughput

› Cuts labor, OT, boosts service

A plant-centric operations leader with deep experience in value-added produce and fresh-cut manufacturing, blending an engineering mindset with day-to-day floor leadership. This candidate has designed and scaled facilities, launched new value-added programs, and improved labor productivity, yield, and on-time service through disciplined planning. Known for systematically dialing in efficiencies: reducing overtime through smarter scheduling, improving shipping/receiving flow, and lowering avoidable costs. Well-suited for a VP Ops/COO-track role at a large processing operation.

This introduction is confidential. Please contact the Joe Produce Search team for more information.

Ref #105466968

VP of Sourcing & Supply Chain

EQiQ Candidate

› 20+ years global produce leadership

› Farm-to-fork sourcing strategy builder

› Turnaround expert improving margins fast

A seasoned global produce executive with 20+ years of hands-on leadership across farming, importing, sourcing, distribution, food safety, and end-to-end supply chain management throughout the Americas. Known for building farm-to-fork sourcing strategies, strengthening grower partnerships, and negotiating large-scale contracts while protecting quality, compliance, and service. This leader has successfully driven profitability turnarounds in produce import and distribution environments. A strong fit for a CEO/GM or senior supply chain role within a mid-sized produce company seeking measurable profitability gains.

This introduction is confidential. Please contact the Joe Produce Search team for more information.

Ref #105424924

Ready to Find Your Next Leader?

Whether you're filling a critical leadership gap or planning for growth, our team is ready to connect you with the right talent. Reach out to start a conversation about your hiring needs.