FAST-MOVING CONSUMER GOODS
FMCG Executive Search in New Zealand
Pace, product, performance, and the supermarket aisle as the ultimate proving ground.
FMCG is decided in trade negotiations and on supermarket shelves, and the leadership skill set has to match. Our Auckland executive search practice partners with food and beverage brands, household goods groups, personal care companies and pet care businesses across New Zealand on retained search for Sales Directors, Heads of Marketing, Supply Chain Leads and non-executive directors. We start each search with a board-grade brief focused on channel, category and customer.
The Market
FMCG in New Zealand sits between two supermarket duopolies, a small population and an export upside that rewards sharp brands.
Input costs, private label expansion and trade promotion intensity are squeezing branded margins. Trans-Tasman category management is the operating reality for most brands. Leaders are needed who can grow market share, manage trade relationships and lead product innovation.
Where the sector is shifting.
Private label keeps growing.
Retailer private label is taking share across most categories. Premiumisation in food and beverage continues. Direct-to-consumer and subscription models are widening their share of consumer spend.
Trade negotiations and margin.
Supermarket duopoly negotiations are tougher than ever. Input cost pass-through is constrained. Retaining strong commercial talent is a top-3 priority for FMCG boards.
Export-led growth.
Australian and Asian export channels are growing. PE-backed roll-ups across snack, drinks and pet care continue. Specialist marketers with digital DTC experience are in high demand.
Who We Place
Leadership roles we search across FMCG and consumer brands.
- Sales Director
- Head of Marketing
- Head of Supply Chain
- Commercial Lead
- General Manager
- Head of Trade Marketing
- Head of Innovation
- Chief Financial Officer
- Head of E-commerce
- Head of People and Culture
- Independent Chair
- Non-Executive Director
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
01. Do you recruit across both food and beverage and household and personal care?
Yes. We recruit across the full FMCG spectrum. That includes food and beverage brands, household goods, personal care, beauty, pet care, snacks and beverages businesses. Our retained search engagements cover both leadership and specialist roles.
02. Can you find chairs and non-executive directors with FMCG, sales, marketing, supply-chain and commercial backgrounds?
Yes. We maintain a curated Board & NED Network that includes operators, finance specialists, governance veterans and senior leaders with deep FMCG experience. We can build a chair shortlist, refresh a board, or place a single non-executive director.
03. What does an Infinitas FMCG search engagement look like?
Retained search. Every engagement begins with a board-grade brief covering role architecture, success measures, the operating context and the cultural lens. From there we run a structured market map, a long-list of identified candidates, structured interviews and competency assessment, references and a written shortlist report. Engagements typically run 8 to 12 weeks and test trade-negotiation and channel commercial skill.
04. Where in New Zealand do you operate?
We are based in Auckland and run searches nationally. That includes Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga, Hamilton, Dunedin and the regions. Where a role requires a trans-Tasman or international map, we extend the search accordingly.
Related Sectors
Where leaders cross over.
CMOs, COOs and Heads of Retail who understand the customer and drive multi-site performance.
GMs, Operations Managers, Production Managers and Manufacturing Directors who lead through complexity.
GMs, Scientific Leads, Supply Chain Directors and CEOs across agribusiness and emerging agritech.
Ready to Talk
Ready to build your next FMCG leadership team?
Partner with Infinitas to recruit Sales Directors, Heads of Marketing and Supply Chain Leads who drive growth and market share.