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COVER STORY
The upsides of the downturn
for corporate recruiting
 Today’s economic landscape and changes in the workforce require fresh approaches to strategic talent acquisition in 2009.
As we near the end of the year, job losses continue at a stunning rate. According to the most recently available unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. unemployment rose to 6.5 percent in October, with the number of unemployed increasing by more than 600,000. Harrowing, to say the least. When the Bureau issues November unemployment numbers this month, the outlook is not expected to improve.
Experienced recruiters have come to expect dramatic up and down cycles in corporate talent acquisition. Just as predictable as these cycles are the reactions of many corporate managers and CFOs -- freezes on hiring, pay increases, budgets and promotions -- all actions that can have long-lasting, negative impacts on organizations as the economy recovers.
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Network now with CPGjobs!Find out how to network and connect with thousands of people using our professional CPG Candidate Pipeline and save on recruiting costs. Special offers to usher in 2009! Call Michael Carrillo at (626) 535-0143 to claim your sweet deal. Nishla Powell-Palmer  Global Chief Operating Officer
United States, Europe, Africa, Asia
EXPERIENCE
Dynamic global commercial chief operating officer with more than 15 years experience in operations, business development, sales, marketing, logistics, manufacturing and HR in the consumer goods industry, including, luxury goods, foods, packaged goods, small electronics, and apparel. Expert strategist, analyst, planner, leader, global sourcer and negotiator. Proven ability to identify and develop new markets to drive revenues and position companies for success. A hands-on problem solver with a high rate of achievement and an appetite for new challenges. Solid track record forging strong relationships with external business partners and growing market share. Specialize in organic growth. Exceptional leadership, communication and cross-cultural team management skills.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Applied global business systems throughout organization that increased productivity and ensured tight controls of accounts receivable/payable, enhancing cash flow. Built sales by 25 percent with effective operations and brand marketing in first four months of hire, sustaining and growing performance during tenure. Authored employee policies and procedures that standardized operations and streamlined global operations. Fostered a team-based work environment and improved systems, stabilizing workforce worldwide and increasing attendance by 35 percent. Led turnaround at Indigo Blue, growing firm from $41 million in revenues to $60 million.
RECENT POSITION
President, Global Operations
Aurora, 2000-2007
EDUCATION
International Business, University of London
IN HER OWN WORDS
“I bring outstanding international operations experience for Europe, the U.K, and the U.S. with added experience in Africa and Asia. My experience includes operations, business development, marketing, HR, sourcing, logistics, and manufacturing and how to implement these business processes multi-country, multi-site and globally. I have life-long experience interacting with different cultures in multiple languages to establish a team-based spirit that products strong bottom lines. I seek a midsize international U.S. or other nationality company that operates with a truly global scope or is keen on building an authentic global group.”
CPGJOBS APPRAISAL
“Nishla brings an exceptionally strong portfolio of skills and experience to the table. She has years of experience in global operations and can hit the ground running in your international or global business or unit. We recommend her enthusiastically.”
Posted 12/5/08 by CPGjoblist. Contact Michael Carrillo for a free referral to this candidate, (626) 535-0143.
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NOTES
from the revolution
WELCOME ABOARD! CPGjobs welcomes its newest clients: Crown Imports, Impulse Marketing Company, Seventh Generation, Inc., Silhouette Optical, Ocean Spray and Snack Alliance. For the complete roster of more than 100 leading CPG companies represented by CPGjobs visit our website.
YOU’RE HIRED! Congratulations to the following CPGjobs clients and their new executives: Steve Popp hired by Gerber Legendary Blades and Pamela Wesson hired by Newell Rubbermaid. If you’re looking for a candidate -- or a job -- contact CPGjobs at 626-535-0143.
GOOD FRIDAY, WEAK MONTH: Strong discounts brought U.S. consumers to stores on Black Friday -- the traditional first day of the holiday shopping season -- with estimated sales rising 3 percent from last year, according to ShopperTrak RCT Corp. The firm reported that preliminary sales for Black Friday totaled $10.6 billion. This year's Black Friday sales increase is lower than the 8 percent jump seen last year, but it comes in a time of economic uncertainty and declining consumer confidence. Despite the modest increase, overall retail sales for November look weak, the Wall Street Journal reported. November sales of apparel, luxury goods and electronics plunged below year-ago levels, according to new data from MasterCard SpendingPulse. Some chains could post double-digit drops for the four weeks ended Saturday, MarketWatch said. Sales fell 20 percent from year-ago levels at apparel and department stores, 24 percent at luxury stores and 25 percent at electronics stores, according to reports. In the apparel category, sales of women's wear were weakest, falling 18 percent, while menswear dropped 16 percent and footwear fell 14 percent. SpendingPulse, which tracks spending on credit cards as well as cash and checks, hadn't yet tallied the overall number for November. It also didn't break out spending at discounters such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which sells food and other necessities and has outperformed competitors in recent months.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: For the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference, January 11-13 in Orlando; the Philadelphia National Candy, Gift & Gourmet Show, January 11-13 in Atlantic City, N.J.; Hobby Industry Show, January 25-28 in Anaheim, Calif.; IFDA Partners Executive Forum, January 25-28 in Amelia Island, Fla.; the European Fine Food Trade Fair, January 26-28, 2009 in Maastricht, Netherlands; North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, February 5-7 in Orlando; and the International Home and Housewares Show, March 22-24 in Chicago. For more events see CPGjobs online Calendar.
ON THE MOVE: PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has been named one of America's best leaders by U.S. News & World Report. Nooyi, who was born in India and earned an MBA from Yale, joined PepsiCo as its chief strategist in 1994....Campbell Soup Company has named Sean Connolly president of Campbell Soup USA and Irene Chang Britt president of North America food service operations. Connolly will manage the company's U.S. soup, sauces and beverages business, while Britt will succeed him as president of Campbell's North America food service unit....In a separate move, Campbell's appointed Keith Olscamp vice president of business development and industry relations. Olscamp will report to Archbold van Beuren, who is president of global sales and the firm's chief customer officer....It's official: InBev closed its purchase of Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. to create the world's largest brewer in the biggest cash acquisition in history. The maker of Stella Artois and Beck's will be known as Anheuser-Busch InBev. The combined company will brew about a quarter of the world's beer and generate about $36 billion in annual sales, helping it reclaim its position as the world's top brewer from SABMiller....Send your company news to editor@CPGjoblist.com
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