A career shaped by competition and strategy is now fueling transformation in talent acquisition. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Chris Ross, Head of TA of North American Packaging at International Paper. Chris shares insights from nearly 25 years in TA, including agency work, leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, and now guiding strategic transformation at International Paper. They discuss his unique path from Division I college hockey player to recruiter, and how his hands-on agency experience shaped his leadership approach.
Key Takeaways:
(02:32) Transitioning from hockey to headhunting in medical sales.
(05:10) Early corporate TA experience begins at Monster during its startup heyday.
(10:00) Strategic TA work unfolds, backed by strong leadership and a 19-person team.
(13:18) DS Smith deal grows IP to 60,000 and expands EMEA reach.
(14:55) A focus on listening and observation reveals early opportunities in team structure.
(18:12) Recruiting efficiency becomes priority, with Gem and Beamery aiding speed to fill.
(20:21) TA metrics shaped by J&J experience guide internal and executive priorities.
(24:09) Growth comes from stretching beyond your comfort zone and taking the leap.
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrossrecruiter/
International Paper | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-paper/
International Paper | Website
https://www.internationalpaper.com/
https://monster.com
https://www.mathworks.com/
https://www.jnj.com/
https://www.dssmith.com/
https://beamery.com/
https://www.gem.com/
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