Purpose

In this project, you will demonstrate an understanding of management and leadership skills and leadership styles.You will read a case scenario and apply what you have learned to make a recommendation for a new position with PureLife Foods.

Outcome Met by Completing This Assignment

demonstrate leadership skills by communicating a shared vision, motivating and empowering others, and creating a culture of ethical decision-making and innovation

Scenario Information:

You are currently working as an associate reporting to the Senior Lead Consultant for Green Line Consultants.The Senior Lead Consultant has been contacted by Grace Polk, head of R&D for PureLife Foods, Grace explained that she has been working to get the initial planning of a new division started but it is time to hand over the reins to a new Executive Director who will be responsible for bringing the division together and establishing the new division as a well-oiled machine.The Senior Lead Consultant has asked you to help conduct a candidate search for the position of Executive Director for the Fitness and Nutrition division.

PureLife Foods currently produces and distributes organic vegetarian food products to major retailers such as Giant and Safeway that in turn are sold to the public. PureLife has decided to start producing and distributing a line of all-natural energy bars with its existing contracted clients.

Consider the question, "Who is a manager and what is their job in an organization?"As PureLife Foods launches a new product division to design, develop and deliver energy bars, the company will need to bring in someone to manage this division.The desire of Grace Polk is that the new Executive Director for the Energy Bars Division will be open to innovative ways to develop green and sustainable products that will not only be popular among the traditional PureLife Foods customer base, but also will be the face of the organization when marketing company products.

Partnering with Green Line Consultants, Grace will be vetting three potential candidates who will be expected to jump in and begin the development of management plans that will be used to establish the new division.The transcripts from the interviews of the three potential candidates have been given to the Green Line Consultants team who will help Grace.The new Executive Director will be a Manager of the 21^stCentury who will be able to instill the culture, value and traditions of PureLife Foods into the employees hired as managers and employees.

In the beginning, the Executive Director will be the face of PureLife Food's marketing brand.In addition, this new employee will need to be able to motivate not only the employee base of these new products but also motivate a new customer base for PureLife Foods on the 'difference' PureLife Foods will bring to the Energy Bars industry.Currently, the Energy Bars industry consists a lot of well-established companies, and a strong entry will be key to grab market share.Innovative and well-made products, good marketing, and a clear strategy will be critical to a strong entry, so bringing in a strong director will be key.

(Identify and discuss the management skills that each candidate possesses.)

(Identify and discuss the

leadership skills that each candidate possesses.)

(Identify and discuss the

leadership style of each candidate.)

(Recommend one candidate that

Green Line Consultants should recommend to Grace Polk at PureLife Foods and

explain why this candidate is the best choice.)

(Explain why the other two

candidates were not selected.)

Beth has spent the past 25 years working for Star Lite Foods, a mid-sized vegetarian food company currently operating out of Texas, which recently was bought by a large health food company looking to expand to Energy Bars.For the past two years Beth

has served as the Vice President of Operations and Marketing where, according to her statements in the interview, she was instrumental in helping Star Lite gain a 12% increase year-over-year in market share.Before being named as a vice president for Star Lite, Beth worked for 10 years as a Regional Director in Maine responsible for sourcing vegetables from regional farms.During

her run as a Regional Director she was responsible for making visits to the farms along the eastern seaboard to ensure compliance to company, federal, and local safety and production regulations.She credited her success in that role to her strict management style of being a part of each farmer's decision making process regardless of the farmer's independent status.She did this

through modern communication channels that allowed her and her personnel to work from their homes rather than from office space in headquarters.The previous 13 years with the company were spent climbing the corporate ladder starting with the company in the production line at the Michigan plant where the company got its start.During her interview Beth stated that PureLife Foods should consider getting into the Energy Bars industry with less focus on sustainability and green initiatives as it can be a difficult industry for new

entrants.Beth proposed focusing on making quality products that can be sourced from local vendors.She stated that once established, the company could initiate a move to being more environmentally and attentive to the well-being of consumers.She proudly stated that she was an 'old school' manager whose success in Texas came from her 'hands on' approach.Beth stated in her cover letter that she is an experienced executive with a successful track record.