De Forest Search Finds Top Sales Executives for Ja-Ru Toys and Rehrig Pacific Company
August 7, 2020 – Manhattan Beach, CA-based De Forest Search has placed Steve Sandler as executive vice president of sales at Ja-Ru Toys and Marc Scott as vice president of environmental sales at Rehrig Pacific Co.
“Marc has been a joy to work with,” the search firm said. “His larger than life and engaging personality makes you want to be his friend. COVID-19 stalled this placement for three months and Steve was more than flexible and accommodating.”
Mr. Sandler brings a robust consumer product goods/toy sales career starting the Gallo Winery Management Development program in California. He then held sales, management and training positions with Fortune 500 companies, Pepsi Cola and Hasbro Toys. At Hasbro, Mr. Sandler was put on a fast track from territory sales manager to vice president of sales over a 10-year span. He directed sales, licensing and marketing departments in various sporting goods, toys and pet products companies. He created his own company, Global Sales Management, that represented manufacturers in creating sales, licensing and marketing go-to-market strategies. Most recently, Mr. Sandler was senior vice president of global sales for Jada Toys.
Ja-Ru Toys is a Jacksonville, FL-based company. Since opening in 1961, it has become the leading supplier of impulse toys worldwide. JA-RU strives to manufacture and distribute only toys of the highest quality with maximum play value. Its primary focus, the company says, is always on toy safety.
From the first time that the search firm spoke to Mr. Scott, he seemed like an ideal Rehrig Pacific fit, De Forest Search said. “Marc has amazing positive energy and the same values that are paramount to the CEO and the leadership team at Rehrig Pacific… family, service, growth, intrapreneurship and innovation,” the firm said.
“Growing up in Okinawa, Japan as the son of U.S. Airforce member, Marc holds respect at a high-level,” the firm said. “This is displayed by the way Marc treats his staff. From the warehouse staff to C-level executive leaders, Marc treats everyone with equal respect. ‘Everyone loves Marc’ was a statement we heard throughout each reference call.”
Mr. Scott brings two decades of sales/sales leadership and upwards of 13 years in the environmental sales industry at Republic Services, Stericycle and CIRCON environmental. He is an experienced, savvy, sales professional with a proven track record of success. “He is a true leader of his people,” De Forest Search said. “Marc is known to use a motivational management style that leads to successful sales growth.”
Founded in 1913, Rehrig Pacific’s scientific curiosity and attention to detail has made the company the industry leader in pallets, waste and recycling containers, and supply-chain solutions. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles and employs more than 1,000 people.
Veteran Recruiters
De Forest Search is dedicated to recruiting top professionals for positions ranging from manager through the executive vice president level. While the firm is widely known in the toy and entertainment sectors for filling marketing, licensing, branding, sales and design positions, it has grown to include many other industries and types of positions. The recruitment team has served clients ranging from small privately held companies to Fortune 200 companies.
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Jill De Forest founded De Forest Search over 25 years ago. Under her leadership, the firm has grown into a nationally recognized recruitment firm and has been successful placing thousands of mid-management through senior executive roles in almost every major city in the U.S. in a variety of industries including lifestyle consumer products and experiences, web and app based SaaS direct to consumer products and services, and industrial manufacturing.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
