Will is a recruitment consultant specializing in the North Carolina region, where he partners with food & beverage manufacturers, as well as plastics manufacturing and packaging companies. He works with businesses of all sizes, from growing startups to internationally established organizations.
Will supports clients across key areas such as maintenance, production, automation, and skilled operations staffing. With a deep understanding of the local talent market, he provides actionable insights to help clients streamline hiring, set realistic expectations, and secure long-term talent that strengthens their operations.
James joined ACE Partners four years ago and has since developed extensive networks across key manufacturing sectors, including Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Plastics, and Chemical manufacturing. Now heading ACE’s Manufacturing division, he leads a dedicated team of consultants focused on sourcing maintenance talent—from hands-on technicians to senior leadership roles.
James has played a critical role in helping clients build full maintenance teams across multi-shift operations, as well as securing high-impact maintenance leaders. Known for working quickly and with a strong sense of urgency, he brings deep industry insight and a strong track record of delivering results in complex, fast-paced environments.
Connor is a senior consultant within Maryland’s Food & Beverage manufacturing sector, specializing in maintenance and engineering roles while also supporting production and operations positions at all levels.
With deep industry knowledge and a thoughtful, solutions-driven approach, he connects skilled professionals with businesses looking to strengthen efficiency, reliability, and overall operational performance. Known for his personalised style and integrity-led work, Connor helps employers build high-performing teams and supports candidates in securing roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and long-term career goals.
Olly joined ACE Partners in 2025 and has since developed extensive networks with industries across Georgia, focusing on food & beverage manufacturing facilities across major cities in the state. He has played a critical role in supporting clients with hard-to-fill positions they couldn’t source internally from entry-level technicians to leadership roles.
Olly prides himself on his speed and urgency to fill his clients vacancies as he understands the impacts these have on production output for the client, and has a proven track record of delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
Ayrton is a dedicated recruitment consultant focused on the Pennsylvania market, partnering with food & beverage manufacturers and companies in plastics manufacturing and packaging. He supports organizations of all sizes, from fast-growing startups to global industry leaders.
With expertise in maintenance, production, automation, and skilled operations staffing, Ayrton brings a strong understanding of the local talent landscape. He provides practical guidance to help clients optimize their hiring processes, set clear expectations, and secure long-term talent that enhances operational performance.
Max is a specialist recruitment consultant focused on the Ohio market, with a niche in connecting high-caliber talent to leading employers across Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance within the U.S. manufacturing sector.
He brings a deep understanding of the regional talent landscape and provides clients with valuable insights on market trends, talent movement, and competitive hiring strategies. Max is highly effective at identifying client needs, navigating demanding expectations, and delivering long-term, operations-strengthening hires.
He has a strong track record of rapid and strategic placements, achieving time-to-hire as fast as five working days for senior-level roles, and has successfully built full teams from the ground up, including a complete Product & Process Engineering department for a leading global manufacturing organization.
Dom joined ACE Partners in 2023 and has since developed extensive networks across key manufacturing sectors, including household products, plastics, packaging, and industrial manufacturing.
He has played a critical role in helping clients build complete maintenance and tool room teams across multi-shift operations - from entry-level technicians to leadership roles. Known for his speed, responsiveness, and strong sense of urgency, Dom brings deep industry insight and a proven track record of delivering results in complex, fast-paced environments.
Armin is a dedicated recruitment consultant specializing in the Michigan market, partnering with high-growth industries including aerospace organizations generating billions in revenue per year and planning to hire over 850 new employees in the coming year.
With deep expertise across maintenance, engineering, field service, production, and automation, Armin brings a strong understanding of both local and national talent markets at a micro and macro level. Known for his 24/7 availability and extremely fast service without compromising quality, he operates as a true extension of his clients’ teams - helping streamline hiring processes, set clear expectations, and secure long-term talent that drives operational performance and sustainable growth.
With over 3 years of recruitment experience, Nathan joined ACE Partners to lead and expand the U.S. Logistics & Supply Chain division. He specializes in sales, operations, and commercial placements for international freight forwarders - from agile mid-sized firms to Top 20 Global Forwarders.
Nathan has built an extensive network of high-performing professionals and trusted client relationships across the East Coast. His consultative approach and deep industry insight have resulted in key hires that drive sales growth, operational excellence, and long-term success.
With over 4 years of recruitment experience, Joe joined ACE Partners to create the Advanced Engineering division for the US. He specializes in, but not limited to, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering across Aerospace, Space and Defense sectors, from start-ups, to larger OEMs .
With a deep network of exceptional engineers and trusted clients across the U.S., Joe has become a go-to partner for high-impact technical hiring—particularly on the West Coast. His consultative style and industry insight consistently deliver the kind of hires that elevate performance and build long-term success.
Danielle Lea joined ACE Partners in 2022 and quickly built deep networks across the medical device industry. She began with technical and engineering searches before pivoting into commercial placements. Over the past year and a half, her projects have primarily been within the Executive Search space, either building the leadership teams for medtech startups, or partnering with companies looking to transform their executive team, after new investment or leadership.
Danielle oversees a team of six, delivering executive and commercial searches throughout the US; while also helping non-US companies secure their first “boots on the ground” hires in America. Known for her relationship first approach, she excels in mapping emerging markets, nurturing long term connections, and translating complex needs into decisive, growth-driving hires.
Tom Hatfield is a recruiter specializing in the medical device industry, leading the U.S. Technical Leadership Practice at ACE Partners. With five years of experience, Tom supports both executive and functional-level searches for U.S. companies and international firms seeking FDA approval and U.S. market entry.
He began his career in EMEA, partnering with early-stage device companies across R&D and product development before expanding into the U.S. market. Known for a consistent 3:1 CV-to-placement ratio, Tom combines deep technical understanding with strategic insight to help clients identify leaders who drive innovation, compliance, and scalable growth from concept through commercialization.
Paige is the Associate Director of Performance at ACE Partners, where she is responsible for the strategy behind consultant performance, revenue growth, and sales execution. A former recruiter herself, she brings first-hand experience of the challenges and opportunities within the role, which she now uses to enhance commercial capability, improve conversion, and embed sales processes that drive predictable results.
With a strong focus on improving deal quality, pipeline management, and developing people, Paige plays a key role in increasing outputs, building high-performing consultants, and shaping the next generation of leaders at ACE Partners.
Josh joined ACE Partners at the end of 2025 and brings a strong background in fast-paced contract recruitment environments working closely with senior stakeholders, executive and C-suite level clients, to deliver critical hiring solutions.
Since joining ACE Partners, Josh has quickly made an impact by leveraging his recruitment expertise and relationship-driven approach. Josh thrives in high-pressure environments and understands the importance of speed, clear communication, and quality delivery when supporting clients with business-critical vacancies.
Josh now specializes in placing Maintenance professionals into Industrial Food & Beverage Manufacturing facilities across Indiana.
Medical Device Manufacturing
The challenge
The facility faced urgent demand to stabilize off-shift production due to automating four of its production lines.
They needed multiple Automation Maintenance Technicians with strong electromechanical skills, robotics expertise, and the ability to work independently - roles that are typically difficult to fill in a competitive labor market.
The Outcomes
Partnered with a rapidly growing Illinois facility to fill 6 critical automation maintenance roles within 2.5 months. Each candidate brought an electromechanical background and hands-on experience with robotics and automation, specifically for off-shift coverage.
Contract Development Manufacturing Organization
The challenge
This is a high-production facility with 25 maintenance staff covering three shifts in a 24/7 operation. The team needs a strong leader who is both technically skilled and highly people-oriented-someone who can drive performance, build a positive culture, and foster a supportive environment.
The Outcomes
We successfully placed a strong candidate with 30 years of experience, bringing both deep technical expertise and excellent communication skills. He has a proven track record of leadership and comes with outstanding references from previous employers, making him an ideal fit to drive performance, strengthen culture, and build a positive team environment.
Laser Device Start-Up
The challenge
Emerging territories required building regional 1099 rep networks, setting up reporting structures, and driving consistent clinical and commercial execution.
The Outcomes
Within 5 days, we delivered a tailored shortlist of four Sales Manager candidates with proven track records in national emerging markets. The chosen hire had previously built and led a several hundred head 1099 network across multiple U.S. regions. Onboarded and trained new 1099 force within the emerging surgical market and aligned marketing and clinical reps to drive the go-to- market strategy.
Cardiovascular Start-Up
The challenge
No precedent CPT/DRG codes or RWE required rapid health-economic modeling and tight cross-functional alignment under aggressive PMA timelines.
The Outcomes
Within 7 days, we delivered a tailored shortlist of five Market Access & Reimbursement Director candidates with proven CMS coverage and value-based contracting experience. The appointed Director convened payer advisory boards with CMS, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Anthem within eight weeks, and in just two weeks drafted a comprehensive economic dossier, defining the NTAP pathway by the end of the CMS annual rule-making cycle (≈ 4 months).
Ai-Driven Imaging Diagnostics
The challenge
The existing team lacked device development experience at scale, and the role required cross-functional fluency across AI, hardware integration, and clinical usability. Speed was essential, as delays would impact a critical 510(k) submission.
The Outcomes
Within 10 days, we delivered a tailored shortlist of 4 R&D leaders. The selected candidate brought experience launching 4 FDA-cleared imaging devices and had previously led teams at GE Healthcare and Butterfly Network. Their appointment enabled the client to accelerate timelines and secure FDA pre-submission alignment.
Non-Invasive Laser Therapy
The challenge
Company was heavily dependent on an outsourced RA/QA provider overseas. This came with a $200K annual cost and minimal oversight. Leadership lacked confidence in regulatory responsiveness, audit preparedness, and quality ownership, which introduced risk as the company prepared for a critical growth phase.
The Outcomes
Within 24 hours, we introduced two high-fit candidates with deep domain expertise. The client quickly secured a Director of Regulatory & Quality who brought both strategic vision and operational structure. The new leader immediately began transitioning QA/RA functions in-house giving the executive team tighter alignment on market-facing initiatives.
This was unquestionably one of the most successful hiring partnerships we have experienced over the past four years.
Early on, Tom spent the right amount of time understanding not just our role needs but also the culture of the company, making sure that candidates put forward would be good long-term matches for us.
Once we kicked off the engagement, we had solid candidates almost immediately, and you applied the perfect balance of presence and pressure to keep candidates moving through the interview process.
Quick chats after an interview made sure we were all aligned, and we continued forward progress all throughout.
Overall, we landed with a great new addition to our team – solid skills and great culture fit. Quality. Speed. Collaboration. A great recruiting partner, indeed.
As Hiring Managers, we all have had to wade through a lot of resumes to hopefully find the correct candidates. In my case, we were quite literally starting from ground zero attempting to fill maintenance technician roles for our department.
Going through the normal processes just wasn’t working quickly enough. Then we found ACE Partners, once we contracted with them, we received quality candidates and lots of them from local areas.
The process was made very easy for us, James Murawa was extremely responsive to our needs, consistently provided updates and great candidates, consistently sought updates on where we were regarding what we were looking for and how many openings we had to fill.
I personally highly recommend ACE Partners as a recruiting service. We have had nothing but a fantastic relationship with ACE and James.
I am thrilled to provide a glowing reference for Thomas Hatfield from ACE Partners. Working with Thomas has been an absolute pleasure, and his expertise as a recruiter truly stands out in every way.
From the beginning of our engagement, Thomas demonstrated an impressive understanding of both my professional goals and the nuances of my industry.
His insights and guidance went beyond mere placement; he took the time to understand my skills, experience, and aspirations, ensuring that the opportunity he presented to me was aligned with my career objectives.
Thomas’s dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for his clients are unparalleled. He is proactive, transparent, and incredibly knowledgeable, which made the entire process smooth and efficient. His communication skills are exceptional, keeping me informed at every stage and providing invaluable advice that gave me confidence and clarity in my decision-making.
What sets Thomas apart is his commitment to finding the perfect fit for both his clients and the organizations he represents. He has a rare ability to see potential and recognize where individuals can thrive and make the most impact.
I highly recommend Thomas Hatfield for anyone seeking a recruiter who not only delivers results but also offers unwavering support and expertise. Working with him has been an outstanding experience, and I am deeply grateful for the role he has played in advancing my career.
I don’t even know how Thomas found me. My LinkedIn profile is neglected at best, and somehow, he found me for a role that was perfect.
I turned down the role during our initial conversation, but he handled the objection and got me to agree to another call. He worked with me to understand what it would take to accept the role, and he worked with the company to come up with an agreement.
I don’t know if ‘recruiter’ or ‘talent acquisition specialist’ is even the right way to categorize what Thomas does, but I can tell you that he is the best I have encountered, and I have been recruited A LOT on LinkedIn.
I had the pleasure of working with Thomas during my recruitment process. From the very first call, he stood out as a highly professional, approachable, and insightful recruiter. Thomas guided me through each stage with clarity, transparency, and genuine support.
What I appreciated most was his ability to combine professionalism with empathy – he was always available to answer my questions, provided timely updates, and gave valuable advice that helped me feel fully prepared and confident throughout the process.
Thomas doesn’t just “fill a position”; he ensures the right match by truly understanding both the candidate and the company’s culture and expectations. His communication style is clear, respectful, and encouraging, making the entire experience smooth and positive.
I had the great pleasure of working with Danielle Lea during my recruitment process, where she made what would normally be a complex and high-stakes executive search feel seamless, thoughtful, and truly personalized.
Danielle has that rare ability to understand not only the technical and professional fit for a role, but also the mission alignment and leadership chemistry that make lasting partnerships possible.
It was Danielle who first connected me with the team - an introduction that has evolved into one of the most meaningful professional opportunities of my career. Her insight, professionalism, and genuine commitment to both candidate and client were evident in every conversation.
If you are an executive or organization seeking a recruiter who listens deeply, moves with precision, and truly invests in long-term success, I cannot recommend Danielle Lea highly enough. She is exceptional at what she does and an absolute pleasure to work with.
I had the pleasure of being recruited by Danielle for my current role, and I couldn't be more impressed by her professionalism and expertise. From our very first conversation, Danielle demonstrated a deep understanding of my skill set, career aspirations, and how they aligned with my new organisation's needs. Her ability to match talent with the right opportunities is truly exceptional.
Throughout the recruitment process, Danielle was always available, communicative, and supportive. She guided me through every step, providing valuable insights and ensuring that the transition into my new role was seamless.
Her dedication to both the candidates and the companies she serves sets her apart from others in the industry.
I highly recommend Danielle to any organization or professional seeking an expert recruiter who genuinely cares about the success of both parties involved. She is a true asset to the recruitment world, and I’m incredibly grateful for her support.
It is my pleasure to recommend James Murawa as a recruiter very highly.
James is almost like a concierge that works in the best interests of the company and the potential employee. His intuition regarding fit between an open role and candidate is strong, and his communication is impeccable.
He helped and guided me through the process of working with a new company expertly. He checked in regularly without overdoing it, and followed up on every question and potential hurdle quickly.
My sense is that James truly cares about helping people find and secure new opportunities. I have worked with a few excellent recruiters over the years, and James stands out among them.
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Max and Olly on multiple job openings. What stood out to me was their exceptional professionalism, punctuality, and dedication to follow-through. Their attention to detail and top-notch communication skills made the entire process seamless and efficient.
We quickly received excellent candidate profiles, salary requirements, and availability from ACE Partners. Their prompt response time enabled us to expedite the interview process, scheduling both phone and in-person interviews in rapid succession, which significantly reduced our time-to-hire.
I would highly recommend working with ACE Partners to other hiring managers. Their exceptional communication, attention to detail, and follow-through on every step of the process made our experience seamless and stress-free.
They’re a true partner in the hiring process, and their dedication to finding the right candidates has been outstanding. This positive experience from submission to hire has likely contributed to our retention success, as candidates felt valued and supported throughout the process.
Working with Connor has been an absolute pleasure. His professionalism, responsiveness, and deep understanding of our hiring needs made the recruitment process seamless and efficient.
He consistently presented high-quality candidates and took the time to truly understand our team and culture.
Thanks to his support, we were able to make great hires in a timely manner. We’re grateful for his partnership and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.
Vice President of Manufacturing Operations
We're partnering with a rapidly scaling food company to identify an exception operational leader to drive manufacturing excellence and support aggressive growth. This is a pivotal role for a proven leader who thrives in dynamic, high-growth environments and has a track record of scaling production while maintaining quality and efficiency.
About The Role
We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Director or VP of Manufacturing Operations to own end-to-end production in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. This leader will ensure on-time, on-spec delivery while building scalable systems and fostering cross-functional alignment with Commercial, R&D, and Business teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee daily operations including production, scheduling, quality, and inventory. Ensure consistent on-spec output and OTIF performance.
- Lead continuous improvement, capacity planning, and long-term infrastructure strategy to support product line growth and new launches.
- Act as the operational bridge with R&D and Commercial teams to align manufacturing capabilities with innovation and market demands.
- Define, track, and improve KPIs (OTIF, yield, waste, cost, throughput, downtime). Build robust data systems for real-time decision-making.
- Develop and execute capital investment strategies to expand capacity in line with demand forecasts and new product pipelines.
- Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams to maintain GMP, HACCP, and FDA standards.
- Design and implement comprehensive training programs to ensure operational competency and cross-functional flexibility.
- Build and lead a high-performing manufacturing organization with a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- 7+ years in food or consumable manufacturing, with 3+ years in senior operations leadership.
- Proven success scaling production in a high-growth environment.
- Deep expertise in food manufacturing processes, quality systems, and regulatory compliance (GMP, HACCP, FDA).
- Experience partnering with R&D to commercialize pilot products at scale.
- Strong analytical skills with a history of data-driven decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead cross-functional, high-performing teams.
- Proficiency with manufacturing ERPs and WMS.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Food Science, Operations, or related field (MBA a plus).
Nice To Have
- Experience with early-stage or rapidly scaling food brands.
- Background in capital project execution or greenfield/brownfield facility expansions.
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