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.)

Sharron has been working for PureLife Foods as the Deputy Executive Director of the West Coast Division for the last year mainly focused on helping the Meatless Hamburger Patty branch become more environmentally and human friendly.Sharron currently holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from UMGC.Prior to her current position Sharron was a production manager at the Arizona facility for eleven years and was highly regarded within the employee ranks as a fair manager who was inclusive in her decision making.This allowed her to keep employees involved in the daily operations of the plant and in her opinion helped to foster a cohesive workforce.Sharron's research in organic ingredients was a major reason for the ascension of PureLife Foods in Oregon's list of environmental and human friendly companies.Prior to joining PureLife Foods twelve years ago, Sharron spent one year as an intern for a small non-profit company researching the long-term effects of soy-based and animal-based products imported from Asia.During her initial screening, Sharron admitted she does not have any marketing experience to help be the face of the new product but has a strong desire to work on those skills and believes she has the managerial and leadership qualities to guide the team to success.Sharron stated in her cover letter that although she only has twelve years of experience she would be a great fit for this executive position not just due to her familiarity with PureLife Foods, its core values, understanding of its mission and vision, but also because of her desire to see PureLife Foods become a leader in sustainable production with a focus on being environmentally and human friendly.Her degree in chemical engineering paired with the desire stated previously, would also allow her to focus on finding ways for PureLife Foods to become the leader in quality, clean energy bars.