Chief People Officer, Los Angeles, CA (US)

ChapmanCG is working on a search for an innovative and fast-growing brand in consumer products, headquartered in Southern California. Established over 50 years ago, the company is now private-equity-backed. It is a well-recognized name across the US with an emerging presence internationally. Headed by a new and highly regarded CEO who has both public company and PE experience, this business is high energy and entrepreneurial. It is seeking a dynamic Chief People Officer to help take the business through its next growth stage.

The Chief People Officer will bring modern HR thinking, structure, and resources to build scalable processes, a lasting culture, and strong leadership capabilities. He or she will be charged with building a People function that supports a growing, multi-site business. This position will also serve as a strategic business partner to the CEO and CFO and will work with these leaders to align people and business strategy. This is a broad generalist role, with an emphasis on talent and culture building. There will also be a focus on establishing repeatable processes and ways of working to drive long-term growth, performance, and accountability. This role will define and embed values and behaviors that foster engagement, safety, and collaboration. This is a hands-on role, with a good deal of building and heavy lifting to do, particularly in the first 12 months.

The individual we are seeking has 12+ years of progressive HR leadership, including 5+ years leading an HR function (VP/Head/CPO) in a fast-paced, multi-site business. Experience in retail, e-commerce, and/or field-based consumer operations is needed, especially if with fast growth consumer brands. He or she should have demonstrable proven success scaling an organization, ideally with some experience in a founder-led environment or private-equity-backed business. To be considered, candidates should have broad-based best practice HR generalist expertise across talent, total rewards, employee relations, and HR operations. Depth in talent will be key (organization development, executive hiring, succession planning, learning and leadership development). A robust command of California and multi-state employment laws and practices is a “must have”. We are looking for a high energy, approachable communicator who can “walk, talk, and connect” with employees at every level, from the shop floor to the boardroom. Spanish language skills are beneficial but not essential.

An opportunity to work with a world-class CEO to further scale an existing business which has already enjoyed success and an enthusiastic, loyal customer base.

This is a very hands-on role. The CPO will need to be a “do-er” as much as a strategist and should be prepared to get his/her hands dirty. He or she should relish the opportunity to get involved in tactical and operational issues. This would not be a good position for someone who wants to focus heavily on the “strategic” side.