Searching the World for Its Finest Leaders
The Kincannon & Reed approach harnesses our vast global network at the local level where our combined expertise and resources directly benefit our clients. Our business model is both objective and thorough.
Understand the need. Beginning with our initial meeting with client stakeholders, we strive to identify not only the demands, qualifications, expectations, and responsibilities of the position to be filled, but also the client's longer-term goals, organizational structure, and culture. Because of their personal experience in the food, agribusiness and life sciences sectors, our Principals can quickly grasp client needs and business drivers. After establishing the position's specific requirements, a complete written profile of the ideal candidate is produced and the search strategy is defined.
Find the best candidates. Kincannon & Reed "turns over all the rocks" to locate the ideal candidates for our clients, ensuring a broad, deep, and thorough outreach to the relevant universe of prospective candidates. We use a team approach with at least one Principal and one Researcher assigned to each search from start to finish.
Research begins with our unparalleled global database of over 70,000 food, agribusiness, and life science executives and technical specialists. But our research does not stop there. The professional network of our recruiters, basic research into target organizations, as well as thorough use of sophisticated, real-time research tools add depth as we develop a diverse list of potential candidates.
We are skilled at connecting with sources and candidates to discuss opportunities, and generate both interest and ideas. The combination of our reputation, individual and collective experience base, and vast professional network ensures that our calls will be taken and messages will be returned. Many search firms claim this level of access and influence; Kincannon & Reed delivers.
Our Principals' industry experience enables them to better assess the fit of potential candidates in terms of knowledge, skill sets, experience, and personal characteristics relative to the client's organizational culture.
Superior communications. We provide unsurpassed levels of personalized attention and insight to our clients including frequent communications and exceptional documentation. The Principal's experience and expertise make him/her a trusted advisor during the selection process through final negotiations with the successful candidate.
Integrity. Since our inception in 1981, Kincannon & Reed has been committed to demonstrating integrity in how we conduct our business, and to maintaining the highest ethical standards. Our decades-long relationships with many clients illustrate our record in delivering on this commitment.
Typical Search Timeline
Kincannon & Reed "turns over all the rocks" to locate the ideal candidates for our clients. We are skilled at connecting with sources and candidates to discuss opportunities, and generate both interest and ideas. Here the combination of our reputation, individual and collective experience base, and vast professional network ensures that our calls will be taken and messages will be returned. As result of our thorough approach, we generally require from 8-12 weeks to conduct a search, as shown below.
1. Understand
the Need
(typically 1-2 weeks)
A Kincannon & Reed Principal:
Interviews the client preferably on-site
Formulates Engagement Letter & Search Profile for client approval
Defines search strategy
2. Find the
Best Candidates
(4-6 weeks)
Working together, the Principal and Researcher:
Research prospective candidates
Assess prospective candidates by phone
Present qualified candidates to client
Interview short list candidates in person
3. Hire the
Best Person
(3-4 weeks)
After reviewing assessing all the information, the Principal:
Prioritizes candidates for client presentation
Prepares a detailed written reference report on the selected candidate
Assists as needed in employment contract negotiations
Our Approach
"You consistently challenge us and broaden our thinking and horizons. You are able to show that sometimes what we think we want is very different than what we need."
- Human resources director for a major crop input company
"We ended up with the ideal candidate combination, and one we would not have envisioned ourselves. Your firm's knowledge of the sector was invaluable as it led to opportunities beyond the search."
- Managing director of a private equity firm
"In addition to finding us great candidates, you worked adeptly and sensitively with all our internal stakeholders. Widespread ownership in the selection process will help our team extend to new hires the support they need for success."
- CEO, privately owned artisan bread company
"We have worked with all the big global firms, and Kincannon & Reed has been easily the most thorough and professional."
- Head of human resources of large multinational company
"We appreciate that you are always reachable and that you never give up even when we all know the search is extremely difficult."
- Chairman of major distribution company
"Thank you for your excellent assistance in this process. The tight search timeline was respected and I believe that the candidate will bring much value to our company."
- CEO for crop input company
"When this search started you indicated one of your goals was to provide a slate that would be so good that we would have difficulty choosing just one candidate. You far exceeded that goal."
- Business unit president for global animal health company
"One of our Senior VPs commented early on that hiring a retained firm was not our best investment of time and money. On our last conference call, however, he indicated he's become a true believer in Kincannon & Reed, and wanted to go on the record as retracting his earlier comment."
- VP of HR for multi-billion dollar, family-owned grain company
"Kincannon & Reed is universally respected and relied upon for quality partnership and mentoring when it comes to senior-level executive searches."
- Former CEO of major agribusiness organization
"Kincannon & Reed has good instincts for people and works hard to know the organization they're serving. "They do a magnificent job matching qualified candidates to the organization."
- Director of Biotech Business Development, multinational agricultural biotechnology organization
"Even when we're not using them, the Kincannon & Reed team keeps in touch because they seem genuinely interested in what we're doing. So when people ask me who we should turn to, I invariably point them to Kincannon & Reed."
- CEO of animal genetics and technology firm