Overview
Specialized Professional Employment Consultants (SPEC) is a female-owned, executive sales and marketing search firm specializing in the Foodservice, CPG and Flavor/Ingredient industries. We search nationwide to identify, recruit and evaluate the best candidates for your organization. We make it our business to know the industry and key players. That’s why we get results fast!
As a confidential contingency fee agency, there is no cost to you unless we present a candidate, who is successfully hired by you. Our primary commitment is to you, the employer. However, through personal contact and careful pre-qualifying, we try to insure that each position will fulfill the candidate’s professional aspirations and goals. As a result, long-term working relationships are developed and achieved.
Time
We take time to understand your specific needs, thus saving time and energy, by presenting only the appropriate, qualified candidates.
Every Step
We work with the client company every step of the way, through interviews, evaluations, references, offers and counteroffers.
Accurate
Pre-qualifies candidates to ensure correct skill set for specific positions.
Experts
We maintain contact with industry experts to solicit referrals regarding specific searches and to stay aware of industry changes and trends.
Communication
We communicate company information to inform and educate potential candidates of possible career opportunities.
Alliances
We have recruiting alliances across the country to uncover quality candidates in all U.S. markets.
Trust
We maintain trust and confidentiality.
Awareness
We attend several Trade Shows and Networking Events to stay on top of industry trends.
This is why so many leading businesses call SPEC first. We look forward to introducing you to our services and to discussing your company’s search needs.
Our team of experts
Team members
Kathleen McDermott
Kathleen founded SPEC Inc in 1990. Since inception, Kathleen has developed a successful track record of performance, based in strong business ethics while building long-term partnerships with client companies and prospective candidates. During her tenure, she has become an industry-leading expert in all areas of Foodservice sales from the field sales level up to Sr./Executive Management. Prior to SPEC, Kathleen spent several years in the Securities and Financial Management industry honing her skills in win/win negotiations.
Ryan Cigler
Ryan joined SPEC Inc. in 2003 and became a Sr. Partner in 2010. SPEC recruited him to join the team due in large part to his successful track record working with our industry’s leading emerging growth companies. While Ryan was originally tasked with building SPEC's CPG division from the ground up, his scope of responsibility now also includes the Foodservice and Industrial Ingredient channels. Additionally, Ryan handles SPEC's marketing searches across all channels. Ryan earned his Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Jacquelyn Hunter
Jacquelyn joined SPEC Inc. in 2001 and became a Sr. Partner in 2010. Jacquelyn is tasked with leading SPEC's recruitment process to find the best talent that the Food and Beverage industry has to offer. Through careful screening, and attention to detail, Jacquelyn has become one of the most trusted and respected recruiters in our industry. Jacquelyn earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Jill Werlein
Jill joined the SPEC team in 2016 after a successful 20 year career in the banking industry. She was recruited to SPEC due to her expertise in training and development, as well as in systems management. Jill is excited to take her knowledge and skills in talent management/retention and put them to use in an industry that she is truly passionate about, the food and beverage industry. Jill earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and International Relations from the University of Wisconsin.
Brittany Wyatt
Brittany joined SPEC Inc. in September of 2015. She is responsible for updating this site and managing all web-related content. Brittany earned an Associate's Degree in Graphic/Web Design, as well as a Certificate in Web Development from Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, WI.
Axl & Oliver
In 2010, as an added benefit to our employees, SPEC Inc. decided to become a canine-friendly work environment. We now have two official “Office Mascots” named Axl (Shih Tzu) and Oliver (Brussels Griffon). These two are usually very quiet and well-behaved, but once in a while, they feel the need to chime in and share their two cents!