By: Christophe Hill

In December 2019, Karen Karp & Partners was engaged by Balthazar Bakery to assist the company in recruiting for a new Director of Overnight Distribution position. 

Balthazar Bakery began in New York City’s Soho neighborhood in 1997, baking bread and breakfast pastries for its namesake brasserie. In 2000, the company moved its wholesale baking operations to Englewood, New Jersey. Since that time, Balthazar’s all-day brasserie has become a New York City institution, beloved by customers for the classic French experience and vibrancy it provides, while the company’s wholesale portfolio of restaurants, cafés, and retail customers has grown tremendously. 

KK&P’s recruiting approach starts with the development of a comprehensive and nuanced job posting, as well as a deliberate strategy for spreading awareness of the opportunity. This includes using both general and niche job websites and finding overlaps to direct outreach through our extensive sector networks. Throughout the recruiting process, the KK&P team focuses on due diligence—multi-staged interviews (telephone and in-person), reference and background checks, close collaboration with the hiring team, weekly progress reporting, and careful cultivation of the strongest candidates. Our process doesn’t end with the hire, as our team provides regular coaching sessions with successful candidates during the first three months of employment to ensure their success. 

The Director of Overnight Distribution position will be a critical piece of Balthazar’s operational infrastructure by optimizing customer service and organizational efficiencies in their wholesale division. This person will lead the fleet and packing operations, manage safety in the distribution process, and, ultimately, ensure that Balthazar’s customers receive their bakery goods first thing in the morning, fresh and as-ordered. KK&P is delighted to be working with Balthazar to find the best candidates possible for this position.