With a deep understanding of the Food & Beverage sector and an established network across the Asia-Pacific region, Zavala Civitas conducted an Executive Search for a senior role specialising in food technology development for a global company in the catering sector.
| Search Requirement | Case Study |
|---|---|
| Sector | Food & Beverage / Catering / Food Technology |
| Geographic Scope | China and wider APAC talent market |
| Final Shortlist | Four candidates presented with comprehensive evaluations |
| Search Completion | 10 weeks |
Background on the F&B Industry
China remains one of the world’s largest food-service markets. According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, catering industry revenue reached RMB 5.798 trillion in 2025, increasing 3.2% from the previous year.
The market is also becoming increasingly structured around scaled operators. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that chain operations represented approximately 25% of China’s food-service sector in 2025, around two percentage points more than in 2024.
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Food Processing Ingredients Annual – China, 2026.
For companies developing new food products in this environment, technical innovation cannot be separated from scalability, commercial execution and local market knowledge. Senior R&D leaders increasingly need to understand how products move from development into large-scale food-service operations while navigating local partners, consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.
The Executive Need
Our client was looking for a leader with a strong track record in food technology development and the successful launch of products across major Asian markets, particularly China.
Reporting to the Global Senior Vice President, the role required excellent project-management capabilities across several food categories, together with the communication skills necessary to operate effectively within a global business structure.
The executive also needed credibility within the international food industry and experience engaging global food partners. Profiles from innovative food-technology companies and major Food & Beverage corporations with their own research and development capabilities were therefore particularly relevant.
China was the preferred location for the role, although the client remained flexible for an exceptional candidate with the right APAC experience.
Beyond R&D, the assignment required a leader capable of helping build and develop the local operation and establishing the infrastructure required for future commercial development in China.
The candidate therefore needed strong relationships within the Chinese food industry and familiarity with the local regulatory environment. Just as importantly, the executive needed to report effectively to global leadership while reconciling headquarters expectations with the realities of the local market.
Our Executive Search Process
Zavala Civitas was approached by the client’s global headquarters and tasked with identifying senior R&D leaders from competing food-technology businesses and leading Food & Beverage corporations.
Particular attention was given to executives whose careers combined exposure to innovative food technology with experience inside established F&B organisations, as this offered a stronger balance between product innovation and large-scale implementation.
The search covered the Chinese market through Zavala Civitas’ network across the country, supported by its APAC presence in Shanghai. Collaboration with partners in the United States and Europe also allowed the team to consider senior executives with previous APAC experience who could potentially return to the region.
Following market research, direct approaches and internal interviews, the client was presented with a curated shortlist of four candidates, together with their CVs and comprehensive candidate evaluations.
Subsequent panel interviews with global stakeholders assessed technical capability, cultural fit and alignment with the executive’s future reporting line.
The selected candidate came from a leading Food & Beverage company in China and brought a strong track record in food technology development. The Executive Search was completed in 10 weeks.
Our Zavala Civitas Executive Search Value-Add
The complexity of this search came from the combination of requirements rather than from any single technical qualification. The client needed access to a narrow group of executives who combined:
- Food technology and R&D leadership experience.
- Successful product development or launches across Asian markets.
- Knowledge of China’s Food & Beverage ecosystem.
- Relationships with industry stakeholders and familiarity with regulatory requirements.
- Experience operating between local teams and global headquarters.
- The ability to support both innovation and future commercial development.
Zavala Civitas’ Executive Search methodology combines a detailed client briefing, market mapping, direct candidate identification, structured assessment and reference validation. For a specialised role such as this, that process allows the candidate universe to be built around the actual business mandate rather than relying only on job titles or active applicants.
The firm’s current APAC head office is located in Shanghai, supporting Executive Search assignments across China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Food & Beverage Executive Search
What type of executive was the client looking for?
The client needed a senior Food & Beverage leader with strong food-technology and R&D experience, a record of launching products in major Asian markets and the ability to operate between China’s local market and global headquarters.
Why was China market experience important for the role?
The executive needed to support local business development, engage relevant food-industry stakeholders and understand the regulatory and commercial environment while remaining aligned with global leadership.
How many candidates were presented to the client?
After market research, direct approaches and internal interviews, Zavala Civitas presented a shortlist of four candidates together with comprehensive evaluations.
How long did the Food & Beverage Executive Search take?
The assignment was successfully completed in 10 weeks. The selected candidate came from a leading Food & Beverage company in China and had extensive experience in food technology development.
How does Zavala Civitas approach specialised Executive Search assignments?
Zavala Civitas begins by defining the role, business context and critical success factors. The process then combines targeted market mapping, direct candidate identification, structured interviews, written evaluations and reference checks to assess candidates against the specific requirements of the assignment.
Learn more about our Executive Search methodology or contact us to discuss a specialised leadership requirement.
