Hans Melotte Shares Leadership Lessons from Starbucks, Johnson & Johnson, and P&G

05/21/24 • 43 min

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.

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

Subscribe to How I Hire:

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.

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

Subscribe to How I Hire:

Previous Episode

A Recruiter's Perspective on Job Search Strategy Part 2: Interviewing

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.

Subscribe to How I Hire:

Next Episode

Nadine Hall on Building and Supporting Teams at Hanesbrands

Nadine Hall is a cross-functional business leader, having spent decades innovating in apparel and consumer products at companies like HanesBrands and Sara Lee. At both the president and SVP levels, Nadine oversaw billions of dollars of retail value, built and developed successful teams, and established high-growth business models across a variety of product lines and business units. Nadine’s leadership style includes a collaborative approach to innovative business strategy, data-driven analytics, and breakthrough models for brand growth and development. She’s also a board member, consultant, and advisor for companies in and outside the apparel industry.

Nadine and Roy discuss how she developed her approach to leadership, what she looks for when interviewing potential candidates, the importance of a forward-thinking hiring strategy, and much more.

Highlights from our conversation include: