International business leader Hans Melotte has over 30 years of experience that combines global P&L accountability with functional leadership expertise across supply chain, procurement, technology, and sustainability. Hans is originally from Belgium, where he began his career in CPG at Procter & Gamble. Hans then spent over 20 years at Johnson & Johnson in the United States where he ultimately served as the Chief Procurement Officer before moving into food and beverage retail at Starbucks. Hans retired from his role as President of Global Channel Development at Starbucks in 2022 and is now focused on giving back as an adviser and mentor.

Hans and Roy discuss what it takes to be a modern supply chain leader, the lessons Hans learned working with some of the largest brands in the world, the differences between North American and European business cultures, and much more.

Highlights from our conversation include:

• Factors that influenced Hans’s approach to leadership (5:07)
• CPG experience at P&G and J&J versus retail experience at Starbucks (6:48)
• Differences between American and European business cultures (11:38)
• His motivation to change industries and roles (15:09)
• Assessing and developing the capabilities of teams (18:06)
• The value of authentic leadership (21:06)
• Hans’s hiring strategy (22:40)
• Qualities that Hans looks for in fellow leaders and teammates (24:51)
• Incorporating stakeholders/partner perspectives into the recruitment process (27:42)
• Authentic interviewing and talent evaluation (29:02)
• Essential qualities of a successful supply chain leader (32:26)
• The importance of being in the moment (38:15)

Visit HowIHire.com for transcripts and more on this episode.

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Kate Sargent is a talent acquisition expert and job search strategy coach, assisting both companies and candidates alike in matching top talent with career defining roles. In Part 2 of their deep dive conversation, Kate and Roy dig into best practices for interview preparation, how to effectively assess whether a job opportunity is a good fit, the most common mistakes job seekers make when interviewing, and what interviewers are listening for in the process.

Kate lends a unique perspective to the conversation – she’s served as Head of Global Talent Acquisition for iconic brands like Allbirds and Method, and has most recently served as the VP of People Operations at The Citizenry. Simultaneously, Kate’s built a successful career coaching business, helping candidates refine their search strategy, hone their job seeking assets, and distill their experience into highly relevant and engaging interviews. Her expansive knowledge of the talent pipeline and acquisition process make this discussion essential listening for both candidates and recruiters.

Highlights from our conversation include:

• Common interviewing mistakes (1:19)
• Tips and tricks for getting back on track during an interview (5:21)
• How interviewees can gather information about a potential opportunity during the interview process (10:00)
• What you should know about a company before interviewing (11:28)
• One important skill to demonstrate interviews (13:44)
• How to expertly answer the notorious “weaknesses” question (16:10)
• What interviewers are listening for in a job seeker’s responses (20:56)
• Assessing whether a role is right for you as a job seeker (23:06)
• Kate’s advice on staying resilient during the job search process (25:01)
• The importance of being a good steward for others (26:56)

Visit HowIHire.com for transcripts and more on this episode.

Follow Roy Notowitz and Noto Group Executive Search on LinkedIn for updates and featured career opportunities.

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Kate Sargent is a talent acquisition expert and job search strategy coach, assisting both companies and candidates alike in matching top talent with career defining roles. In Part 1 of their deep dive conversation, Kate and Roy discuss how candidates can successfully approach and prepare for a job search, and how fostering authentic relationships in the networking process can make or break a job search.

Kate lends a unique perspective to the conversation – she’s served as Head of Global Talent Acquisition for iconic brands like Allbirds and Method, and has most recently served as the VP of People Operations at The Citizenry. Simultaneously, Kate’s built a successful career coaching business, helping candidates refine their search strategy, hone their job seeking assets, and distill their experience into highly relevant and engaging interviews. Her expansive knowledge of the talent pipeline and acquisition process make this discussion essential listening for both candidates and recruiters.

Highlights from our conversation include:

• How Kate coaches and supports job seekers (3:59)
• How to prepare for a job search (5:47)
• The importance of distilling and communicating personal narratives (11:29)
• Ways in which Kate helps job candidates develop a focused job search (17:02)
• How to track progress during the job search (22:23)
• Using resources like Linkedin to research roles, network, and maintain relationships (25:36)
• Ways to foster authentic and reciprocal relationships (27:29)
• Tips to help job seekers network more successfully (30:26)
• Building and maintaining relationships with recruiters (34:18)

Visit HowIHire.com for transcripts and more on this episode.

Follow Roy Notowitz and Noto Group Executive Search on LinkedIn for updates and featured career opportunities.

Subscribe to How I Hire:

• Apple
• Spotify
• Amazon