Beyond Finance: Sourcing a “Business Leader” for SharkNinja Japan

SharNinja is a global leader in household appliances, known for its disruptive innovation and a high-octane corporate culture defined by the mantra: “Move Fast, Break Things”.

Since January 2023, FocusCore has built a robust partnership with SharkNinja Japan, successfully placing key talent across Senior FP&A, Consumer Insights, Marketing, and HR functions. This established trust set the stage for a critical executive search in 2025 that required both speed and strategic consulting.

Problem

The project initially began as a search for a Head of FP&A. After an initial attempt through contingency search SharkNinja returned to FocusCore for a dedicated retainer search.

However, the search landscape shifted dramatically mid-process. Upon entering the final stages, the APAC President determined that the “Head of FP&A” title was insufficient for the company’s needs, and upgraded the role to a Finance Director. The requirement was specific: He needed a “business leader in their own right who happens to do finance”. This pivot required sourcing senior talent from top-tier organizations who move fast, are comfortable with risk, and have the ability to fund growth while protecting the core business.

Approach and Methodology

FocusCore leveraged the strength of its existing relationship to operate with high autonomy in a fast-paced environment where stakeholders were often too busy for traditional weekly steering meetings. FocusCore provided streamlined project updates via email, acting as a trusted partner to drive the process forward independently.

Solution and Implementation

To address the increased seniority requirements, FocusCore implemented a comprehensive market strategy. During the search FocusCore mapped the market to identify and screen 271 potential candidates. Introduced 11 candidates to the client, with 8 progressing to the interview stage.

Result and Impact

The search concluded with a successful placement. However, the transition from an FP&A role to a Finance Director role created a significant gap in compensation expectations. FocusCore had to delicately manage both client and candidate expectations in order to find and agreeable solution to move forwards. This was achieved relatively quickly allowing fora smooth process and offer acceptance.

Lesson Learned

This mandate demonstrated that in a high-speed corporate environment, the value of an executive search partner lies in the ability to “cut through the noise”. By applying a robust search methodology and leveraging existing relationships FocusCore was able to pivot mid-search, consult on shifting market rates, and search a top-tier business leader for SharkNinja Japan.