Navigating Your Next Career Move: Focus on Industrial, Consumer Goods and Chemical Sectors

As a new year unfolds, senior-level leaders often contemplate their next career move. This period brings a renewed focus on career advancement and the exploration of new opportunities. Yet, key questions arise: Is the start of the year the best time to make a move? Should you stay within your current industry or explore new horizons? How should you navigate your job search—through a trusted headhunter, leveraging your network, or directly applying for roles?

Senior leadership positions often have a high degree of confidentiality and may not appear on public job boards. To provide clarity and guidance, we turned to the Heads of Sectors at Pacific International Executive Search.

Paul Galanti, Head of Sector – Industrials, Americas at Pacific International Executive Search offers his expert insights on sector performance, challenges, 2025 predictions, and strategic career advice.

Sector Performance in 2024

The Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG or FMCG), Chemicals, and Industrial sectors faced significant challenges in 2024. The lingering effects of the pandemic have continued to disrupt supply chains and shift consumer preferences. Inflation, rising material and energy costs, and skilled labor shortages have added further strain to these industries.

Global geopolitical instability, including the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and potential trade tariffs, have contributed to economic volatility. While the U.S. and emerging Asian markets have demonstrated resilience, Europe has struggled. The speciality chemicals sector has thrived, driven by innovations in health, wellness, personal care, and advanced materials for electronics and electric vehicles. Regulatory pressures toward zero carbon emissions have spurred both challenges and innovations within the chemical sector.

Key Challenges and Predictions for 2025

Chemical Industry: 2025 offers opportunities in sustainable chemical production, clean energy, and speciality chemicals. Growth is expected, particularly in North America, contingent on environmental regulations and trade policies.

Industrial Sector: Industry 4.0 will drive growth, with additive manufacturing (3D printing) becoming increasingly important. This technology is poised to reduce time-to-market, mitigate supply chain risks, and offer greater flexibility in production processes, especially for prototyping and custom parts.

CPG Sector: Investment in automation, robotics, digitization, AI, and sustainability will rise to meet net-zero targets. Companies will prioritize innovation to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. The health and wellness trend will continue to fuel demand for natural and eco-conscious products. The need for skilled workers in robotics, AI, and digital manufacturing will increase, underscoring the critical role of Executive Search firms.

Hiring Trends and Skills in Demand

Organizations are seeking leaders in Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain, favoring candidates with technical expertise and collaborative personalities. However, there is a trend towards candidates with longer career runways. Many companies still prefer strong industry experience, limiting cross-industry hiring. That said, chemical companies are open to candidates from oil & gas, while CPG firms welcome industrial experience in high-volume continuous process manufacturing.

Diversity and Inclusion

Despite headlines about scaling down DEI targets, diversity remains a priority for most clients. Companies are committed to including candidates from underrepresented groups on their shortlists, staying true to their core values and mission to reflect the communities they serve.

Tips for Securing Your Next Role

1. Highlight Achievements: Your resume and LinkedIn profile should be a tailored, strategic overview of your achievements, experiences, capabilities and skills, not responsibilities. Regularly review and customize them for each application.
2. Leverage Your Network: Connect with industry professionals, and executive recruiters, and speak to trusted friends and past colleagues who can provide valuable insights and connect you with new opportunities.
3. Be Proactive: Don’t rely solely on online applications. Reach out directly to hiring managers or Executive Search Partners with a personalized note expressing your interest.

If you are a senior leader in the Industrial Sector, connect with Paul Galanti to schedule a chat about navigating your next career move.