March 2024: Setting SMART Career Goals for Q2

As the second quarter of the year unfolds, it's the perfect time to reflect on your professional journey and set intentional goals that propel your career forward. The SMART goal-setting framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound—provides a structured approach to ensure your aspirations are not only ambitious but also realistic and attainable. In this practical guide, we'll break down each element of SMART and guide you through the process of defining and achieving your Q2 career goals.

1. Specific: Define Your Career Destination

Start by crystallizing your objectives. Instead of a vague goal like "improve skills," opt for something more concrete such as "complete an advanced online course in digital marketing." Clearly outline what you want to achieve and why it matters to your career growth.

2. Measurable: Quantify Your Progress

Make your goals measurable to track progress effectively. If your aim is career growth, quantify it—whether it's securing a certain number of new clients, completing a project ahead of schedule, or achieving a specific performance metric. Tangible metrics not only gauge success but also motivate you along the way.

3. Achievable: Set Realistic Targets

While ambition is commendable, setting unattainable goals can lead to frustration. Evaluate your current skill set, resources, and time constraints. Your goal should be challenging yet feasible. For instance, if aiming for a promotion, consider the necessary skills, experience, and steps required to reach that next level in your career.

4. Relevant: Align Goals with Your Career Path

Ensure your goals align with your long-term career vision. Ask yourself, "Does this goal contribute to my overall career objectives?" If your aspiration is to transition into a leadership role, focus on acquiring skills that enhance your leadership capabilities.

5. Time-Bound: Establish a Deadline

Set a clear timeframe for achieving your goals. Whether it's a week, a month, or the entire quarter, having a deadline creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay accountable. Breaking down larger goals into smaller, time-bound milestones makes the journey more manageable.

Putting It All Together

Let's create a SMART career goal as an example: "By the end of Q2, I will complete an advanced online course in digital marketing, gaining skills in SEO, social media marketing, and analytics. This will position me for increased responsibility within my current role."

Remember, revisiting and adjusting your goals periodically is crucial. Life and career landscapes evolve, and so should your objectives. By following the SMART framework, you not only enhance your focus and productivity but also increase the likelihood of achieving your career aspirations. As you embark on this journey, may your Q2 be marked by purposeful strides toward a more fulfilling professional life.

Open Roles?- March 2024

As DRI works across the nation on high-level roles for our clients, we are always open to speaking with professionals who are interested in the roles listed below, or who would simply like to network.

Chief Operating Officer (Burke County, NC)

• Manufacturing, Distribution & Fulfillment experience
• Strategic leader with experience leading & driving big visionary change and growth
• Willing and able to deliver a hands-on tactical leadership style that harmoniously integrates the strategic and the tactical
• Detail oriented servant leader the continuously advances people, improves processes and utilizes technology

Director of Quality Assurance (Dallas/Fort Worth)

• A minimum of three years in a Manufacturing Quality Leadership role required
• Experience in manufacturing that requires assembly and metal fabrication necessary – food equipment ideal
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Manufacturing Engineering or Quality Management
• Strong knowledge of quality control methodologies and best practices
• Strong technical documentation and specification background required
• Bilingual in Spanish is strongly desired
• Company offers salary, starting at 100K, based on experience, plus bonus, as well as a comprehensive benefit plan, PTO and growth potential.

Plant Manager (Mid-Atlantic)

• Confidential search
• Must have strong operational and production experience as well as running a P&L
• Must have experience with startups, greenfields or brownfields?
• Packaging/Plastics experience preferred

General Manager-specialty chemicals

• Based in IL
• Brand new, state of the art, warehouse and distribution facility
• Specialty chemical industry is ideal

VP Aftermarket-industrial equipment

• Our client, an OEM of plastic equipment, is seeking a VP of Aftermarket Services
• Opportunity to lead, manage, hold accountable the aftermarket team
• Ideal candidate has experience leading a “best in class” aftermarket team now
• Can be from plastics or other industrial equipment manufacturer

Account Manager-plastic injection molding

• Our client, a custom injection molder is looking to hire an account manager to call on prospects and customers in the South East
• Industry focus is primarily medical, consumer products, and some industrial
• Experience working in a high mix, lower manufacturing environment is critical

Opportunity for a Partner to join a top-ranked national Environmental law practice

• Experience with litigation, due diligence, and compliance in a variety of areas of environmental law
• Must have a significant book of transportable business
• Open to a Partner in Chicago, Atlanta. D.C. or Ohio

Director of Manufacturing & Supply Chain (Baltimore, MD)

• Our client:?A family-owned packaging machinery manufacturer that serves the Pharmaceutical, Diagnostic, Biotech, Cosmetic, Personal Care, & more industries
• Travel:?10%
• Relo assistance available
• Must previously have managed manufacturing/ supply chain resources in an industrial machinery or capital equipment company
• Leadership experience & Mechanical or Electrical Engineering background a plus

Sr. Sales Executive - AGV (Located anywhere in the US)

• Our client is a growing automation & material handling manufacturer/ integrator that works with customers in the food/bev., consumer goods, pharma, industrial, + more industries
• Travel: 50%
• Salary: $100-150K + commission
• Full benefits (available on day 1) + 401K
• Ideal candidate has AGV or forklift sales experience. Must also be hunter

VP of Sales

• Our client provides secondary packaging automation solutions to industries such as: food/bev., personal care, household/industrial chemicals, & distribution/warehousing
• Responsible for growing the business & increasing sales revenue
• Will manage the sales team, develop sales strategies, & monitor/report sales performance
• Candidate must have technical expertise in the packaging or adjacent industries (warehouse automation, etc.)
• Must have proven leadership experience + hunter mentality
• Location: Near any major airport
• Travel: 50%
• Salary: $175-200K base + variable
• Full benefits + 401K

Director of Sales (Chicago, IL)

• Our client: a leading manufacturer of food processing/ pharmaceutical equipment
• Travel: 50%
• Full benefits, 401K, car allowance
• Strategic Leadership experience & 5+ years of experience managing a sales team
• Experience providing products into food processing or pharmaceuticals

Featured Candidates?- March 2024

Below you will find a few featured candidates we have spoken with who are open to new opportunities. If you would like to get in contact with any of the candidates below, please reach out.

Chief Legal and Risk Officer with over ten years of experience, most recently in FinTech and Healthcare but is industry agnostic

• Was most recently General Counsel with a leader in healthcare technology solutions?

• Interested in using JD/MBA in a C Suite position
• Has built successful legal teams around implementing solutions for organizational efficiency and minimization of risk

Key Account Manager - based in Dallas, TX

• Product experience: Capital Equipment - Racking systems, conveyors, dock equipment, AS/RS, Inkjet printers
• Top 5 producer out of 70?sales engineers in North America
• Built $5.5M USD pipeline in 5 months
• Grew U.S. Central Region by 300% - from $1.8M USD to $5.4M USD in year one
• Regularly created content and presentations for use at nationwide trade shows and automation industry events. Also served as media spokesperson.
• Travel: open to 50%
• Relo: for the right opportunity

Regional Sales Manager - based in MA

• Product Experience: Secondary packaging systems
• Accomplishments: Selling $3-5M yearly over the last several years
• Improved underperforming territory to more than $3 million in equipment sales
• Responsible for selling systems - complete production line equipment to individual components
• Travel: 50%

Director of Sales - based in GA

• Product experience: Packaging equipment
• 15 direct reports & 5 indirect
• Oversaw a $65M pipeline
• Managed a distributor sales network exceeding $3M in sales
• Received the Award of Achievement for growing a large account in multiple locations by over 300%
• Implemented all business retention & marketing strategies. Responsible for P&L & pricing.
• Travel: 70%

Contact us | Read our Blog | View Opportunities