Inside the Director’s Kitchen:
Behind the Scenes with a Food Industry Recruitment Professional: Passion, People, and the Future of Recruitment Excellence in the Food Industry
When it comes to leadership roles in the food and drinks sector, the recipe for success demands more than just experience—it requires passion, precision, and a deep understanding of the industry’s ever-evolving flavour. We sat down with one of our seasoned recruitment Director experts specialising in senior commercial roles to discuss what makes top-tier talent sissle in today’s competitive market.
Meet the Expert
Clayton is a recruitment director at The Oval Partnership, specialising in placing top talent across the food industry’s most dynamic roles:
For Clayton, it’s not just about filling roles—it’s about crafting careers.
Specialisms: Where Expertise Meets Passion
Q: Hi Clayton, what sector & roles do you specialise in?
Q: What do you enjoy/find most rewarding in your role?
As a self-proclaimed foodie and having a huge passion for the industry I feel honoured to work with some amazing business and clients. I love connecting people with businesses that share their appetite for innovation & it’s always great to see and hear how much my clients and candidates enjoy the role and business they work for and knowing they have had the right move.
Hearing how a candidate’s new role has reignited their passion—or how a client’s team has transformed with the right candidate—is what fuels me. Recruitment isn’t just about filling roles; it’s about crafting careers that matter.
Changing job is a big decision and being able to help and make the move seamless is why we are here.
Q: How would you describe ‘Recruitment Excellence’?/What does ‘The future in recruitment excellence’ look like to you?
Recruitment Excellence to me is understanding the needs of the customer and ensuring we can align this with the candidates’ experience and desires
Q: How would you describe the ‘ideal candidate’? What are the most important traits for any candidate?
This is a hard one because every client and customer version of an ideal candidate is different, and I really feel this is where Oval excel, because when a candidates looks good on paper and ticks all the boxes it doesn’t mean they are right for the job and company. Oval ensure they dig deep to right fit and the ideal candidate for the clients needs.
Q: In your opinion Top 3 things a candidate can do to succeed.
Q: What is the most important tool in your role & why?
“My professional network is my most valuable asset, cultivated through strategic relationships nurtured over the past nine years.”
Q: Do you foresee and big changes or challenges in Recruitment?
Interestingly, I believe that AI will become a huge part of recruitment and businesses that don't move with technology will fall behind. My advice for clients and candidates alike is to stay agile, embrace technology, and never lose sight of the human element.
Q: How will AI reshape recruitment?
AI isn’t coming - it’s already here. From automating candidate screening to predicting recruitment needs & industry trends, businesses ignoring tools like AI-driven analytics risk falling behind. But remember: tech enhances human intuition; it doesn’t replace it
Q: Do you have any interesting or funny stories during your time in Recruitment?
Everyday recruitment is always interesting, and a lot of the funny stories need to be kept to the office environment.
Q: How do you like to spend your free time? Any Hobbies?
I'm a keen sportsman and enjoy spending time with family and friends. If I'm not cooking up a feast at home we often venture out to new restaurants to sample the British cuisine.
Q: Do you have any upcoming events or Challenges you're taking part in?
The biggest challenge coming up for myself is another year in recruitment. Who knows what 2025/26 will bring.
Of course I am also looking forward to The Samworth Brothers Charity Challenge 2026 & finding out where it will be taking place next year.
Q: Favourite cuisine? / Favourite tipple or drink? / Favourite eatery or area for food? / Favourite food or snack?
My list could be endless I am a foodie at heart and love a good bottle of wine.
On the run up to Christmas I always love indulging in lots of different cheeses and wine. During the summer I enjoy a couple of trips to Spain to sample the seafood and beautiful Spanish cuisine.
Every Sunday in winter is about spending time with the family and having a good Sunday roast but if you know me every Sunday in summer is about spending time with the family and having a BBQ.
Q: Favourite place to holiday? / Favourite time of year?
Christmas must be my favourite time of the year, I enjoy spending time with friends and family enjoying food. I don’t think you can beat a good ski holiday and some of the French cuisine so that would be my holiday choice.
Final Bite
“Every day in recruitment surprises me. From negotiating dream roles to hearing how a placement transformed a team—it’s never just a job. It’s about people, passion, and platefuls of potential.”
Join the Conversation
Are you a food industry professional ready to spice up your career? Or a business seeking talent that truly fits? Let’s connect over a virtual coffee—or a very good glass of wine.
Inspired by the flavours of innovation, relationships, and exceptional talent. Let’s shape the future of food, together.
The Oval Partnership Main website: www.theovalpartnership.co.uk
Current Vacancies: www.theovalpartnership.co.uk/jobs
