Our people are our difference.
Meet the CSA team.
At Cameron Smith & Associates, we believe knowledge, experience, and long-term relationships are the keys to success in the recruiting world. Meet our team of people-loving, community-driven, executive search leaders!
TALENT AND EXPERIENCE MATTER. LET US HELP YOU HIRE!
Our team of seasoned Consumer Goods recruiters is your competitive advantage. By leveraging CSA's industry relationships and state-of-the-art technology, your company has access to top passive talent in highly competitive markets. Let's discuss your talent needs.
YOUR NEXT CAREER MOVE STARTS WITH CSA.
Do you have a background in Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Category Management, or Analytics in the Consumer Goods industry, Mass Retail, or Grocery Channels?
TALENT AND EXPERIENCE MATTER. LET US HELP YOU HIRE!
Our team of seasoned Consumer Goods recruiters is your competitive advantage. By leveraging CSA's industry relationships and state-of-the-art technology, your company has access to top passive talent in highly competitive markets. Let's discuss your talent needs.
YOUR NEXT CAREER MOVE STARTS WITH CSA.
Do you have a background in Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Category Management, or Analytics in the Consumer Goods industry, Mass Retail, or Grocery Channels?
Our CPG Recruiters have a talent for finding talent in Chicago.
What we do
For more than 25 years, Cameron Smith & Associates has devoted every day to finding and placing the best talent. We dive deep into your company’s culture, developing relationships with your organization so we can find the best candidates for your team.
Meet our team
CSA's team of dedicated recruiters averages over ten years of experience in our industry with many coming from prior careers in Consumer Goods, Retail, and Fortune 500 Companies.
No need to take our word for it
The CSA difference matters—not just to us, but to those we work with. See more about what our clients and candidates have to say about what it's like to experience our service.
CSA cares about diversity
A diverse team is a stronger team, and to build that team starts with our practices and our priorities. We believe in inclusion from the local level to the highest seats.
Values, Purpose, and Results
We take it to the next level. Our values are at the center of everything we do. Integrity. Relationships. Respect. Results. Community. We put these words behind our actions.
Our heart is in our community
Volunteer hours. Board seats. Fundraisers. We believe in giving back. Our community matters to us, because where we live is more than just a place. It's part of our identity.
Why Chicago Might Be the Capital of the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry — and Why Top CPG Recruiters Call It Home
When you think of powerhouse industries, every major sector has a city that claims the crown: Wall Street for finance, Silicon Valley for tech, and yes — Chicago for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). If you’re building a career in CPG or looking for the best CPG recruiters in Chicago, it pays to know why this city is the place where iconic brands are built, talent thrives, and the industry keeps evolving.
Chicago
A Headquarters Haven for CPG Companies Chicago is home to a dense concentration of CPG giants, including:
- Conagra Brands
- Kraft Heinz
- Mondelez International
- Beam Suntory
- MillerCoors (Molson Coors Beverage Company)
- Ferrara Candy Company
- Reynolds Consumer Products
Add to that a growing wave of innovative food, beverage, and household brands, plus satellite offices for global leaders like Nestlé, Unilever, and P&G. This ecosystem makes Chicago a magnet for CPG talent — and a goldmine for companies who know how to recruit it.
A Strategic Hub for Logistics and Retail Relationships
Chicago’s central location and transportation infrastructure make it an ideal hub for moving consumer goods nationwide. Companies can reach most of the U.S. within a day’s drive, keeping supply chains efficient and retail partners well-stocked. Speaking of retail — Chicago’s proximity to major retailers like Walmart (Bentonville), Target (Minneapolis), and Kroger (Cincinnati) keeps key account teams close to the action. It’s an unbeatable location for managing partnerships that make or break CPG brands.
A Growing Scene for Emerging Brands
Beyond legacy names, Chicago is buzzing with emerging CPG startups and food innovators. Incubators like The Hatchery Chicago give small brands the tools to grow and scale, adding fresh energy — and new jobs — to the local CPG market. This blend of old-school industry power and next-gen innovation keeps Chicago’s CPG talent ecosystem dynamic and attractive for ambitious professionals.
Chicago: Where CPG Careers and Connections Thrive
For companies, brands, and professionals alike, Chicago offers something few cities can match: A high concentration of headquarters A rich, mobile talent pool A strategic location for logistics Strong ties to major retailers A vibrant community of startups If you’re looking for CPG recruiters in Chicago who know this market inside and out, Cameron Smith & Associates has been doing exactly that for three decades — helping the best brands find the best people, from the boardroom to the sales floor.
Looking for the Right CPG Talent in Chicago? Let’s Talk.
Whether you’re a national brand searching for your next VP of Sales or a startup ready to hire your first key account manager, our team of CPG executive recruiters in Chicago can help you find the talent that fits, sticks, and drives results. Braden Turner is one of CSA’s leading Executive Recruiters and a great contact to discuss search needs, braden@csarecruiters.com
Based in Chicago, Braden recruits nationally with a specialized focus on leadership roles in the CPG industry. Prior to joining Cameron Smith & Associates, he spent a decade at Ferrara Candy and Mars Foods, where he held senior roles including Vice President of eCommerce Sales & Marketing, Director of Sales Strategy, and Senior National Account Manager.
Braden brings deep industry insight and firsthand knowledge of the functions and challenges his clients face—making him a trusted partner for identifying top talent across the CPG landscape. Braden has a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. Connect with us today and put 30 years of Chicago CPG recruiting expertise to work for you. braden@csarecruiters.com
A Deep Bench of CPG Talent
Chicago’s strength isn’t just the companies themselves — it’s the CPG talent pool they attract. From brand managers and category leads to supply chain experts and sales executives, the Chicagoland area has generations of experience powering some of America’s most trusted brands.
For over 30 years, Cameron Smith & Associates (CSA) has been a trusted CPG executive search partner in Chicago, connecting top talent with Fortune 500s and innovative startups alike. We know the people, the brands, and what it takes to recruit leaders who can drive growth in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
A Deep Bench of CPG Talent
Chicago’s strength isn’t just the companies themselves — it’s the CPG talent pool they attract. From brand managers and category leads to supply chain experts and sales executives, the Chicagoland area has generations of experience powering some of America’s most trusted brands.
For over 30 years, Cameron Smith & Associates (CSA) has been a trusted CPG executive search partner in Chicago, connecting top talent with Fortune 500s and innovative startups alike. We know the people, the brands, and what it takes to recruit leaders who can drive growth in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
Read up on the latest industry news.
Whether you are looking for the most valuable talent or a great opportunity, it's hard to make progress without the right resources. We provide insight that keeps you informed and aware.
Whether you are looking for the most valuable talent or a great opportunity, it's hard to make progress without the right resources. We provide insight that keeps you informed and aware.