About Us
Who we are
Who we are
Payen Search is the executive search partner dedicated to the global paper and packaging industry. We help mills, manufacturers, and suppliers hire the leaders and specialists who will shape the industry’s future.
Our name comes from Anselme Payen, the chemist who discovered cellulose — the foundation of paper. Just as Payen uncovered what lies at the heart of the industry, we uncover the people who lie at the heart of your success.
Our focus
We believe leadership is the lever. When you get the right leaders in place, they set the tone, build the teams, and drive the performance. That’s why we specialise in senior and executive appointments — from Mill Directors and Global Heads of Operations to sustainability leaders and C-suite executives.
But leadership doesn’t operate in isolation. Behind every great leader is a team of skilled engineers and technical experts who keep mills running and innovation moving. That’s why our work also extends to the critical engineering, process, and operational hires that underpin this industry.
Recent placements include everything from Process Engineers and Automation Specialists to Production Managers and Heads of Manufacturing. Whether it’s a boardroom appointment or a technical expert, our focus is always the same: placing people who make a real impact.
100+
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
700K
HAPPY CUSTOMERS
85%
OUR CLOSE RATE
Meet Garth - Managing Director
I started out as an engineer by trade, which means I speak the same language as your technical teams as well as your board. I spent over 15 years in engineering and manufacturing recruitment before dedicating the last decade of my career to pulp and paper.
That blend of engineering knowledge and recruitment experience gives Payen Search its edge. I understand the complexity of your processes, the demands of your mills, and the kind of leadership it takes to thrive in this industry.
Garth Andresen
Managing Director
How we work
Focused – We specialise in the paper and packaging sector, not as an add-on, but as our core.
Balanced – We place the leaders who set direction, and the engineers who make that vision happen.
Discreet – Every search is handled with care, confidentiality, and professionalism.
100+
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
700K
HAPPY CUSTOMERS
85%
OUR CLOSE RATE
What we believe
- The right leadership shapes everything.
- Technical excellence keeps the industry moving.
- Recruitment doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be done well.
FAQ
