Marketing headhunters, tml Partners, are delighted to have partnered with Precon to source their new CMO
Founded in 1986, Precon has established itself as a trusted name in meal replacements and dietary supplements across German-speaking Europe. Initially developed by medical professionals to support weight loss and management through healthcare providers, Precon transitioned in 2010 to a direct-to-consumer (D2C) eCommerce brand. This evolution made their high-quality products accessible to a broader audience, while maintaining a strong focus on promoting health and wellness.
Headquartered in Zurich, the business generates 80% of its revenue from repeat purchases—a testament to the loyalty of its customers and the effectiveness of its products.
The Challenge
As the weight management market evolves, Precon recognised the need for a transformation. The goal was to modernise its current offerings and expand into the wider health and wellness sector. The company sought to enhance its appeal to women aged 40+ by launching innovative products that align with their needs.
With a foundation of high-quality content to engage and educate potential customers, Precon aims to leverage product innovation and strategic communications to achieve ambitious growth targets over the next five years.
To achieve this, Precon required a CMO with expertise in brand communications, product strategy, and D2C growth, particularly across the DACH region. CEO Peter Jansen envisioned a marketing leader who could redefine Precon’s market presence, foster brand equity, and develop a strategy to transition from a weight-loss-focused brand to a comprehensive health and wellness organisation.
The Solution
Emma Calder, commercial and marketing headhunter at tml Partners, worked closely with Peter to craft a detailed brief and establish the core competencies required for the role. Following a rigorous search, leveraging tml’s extensive network across the Swiss and German markets, tml Partners presented a shortlist of exceptional candidates within four weeks.
Peter’s three-stage interview process concluded with the appointment of Frank Mertens as CMO just five weeks later. Frank brings significant international experience across sectors including FMCG, eCommerce, and insurance. His ability to balance innovation with strategic communications makes him an invaluable asset as Precon embarks on its next phase of growth.
Frank has already begun making a tangible impact at Precon, working alongside the leadership team to drive the company’s ambitious five-year growth plan.
Client Testimonial
“Working with Emma and her team has been a game-changer for us. From the start, the level of support was outstanding – speedy, professional, and perfectly tailored. tml Partners have an exceptional knack for understanding exactly what we needed and translating that into an incredibly qualified pipeline, filtering out 99% of candidates to present only the ones who fit best.
The candidate briefing package they provide is simply unmatched; it sparked genuine interest from top talent in our small company. Highly recommended for any organisation looking to find a top-tier CMO with ease and efficiency.”
Peter Jansen, CEO of Precon
About tml Partners: Specialist Headhunters for Commercial Roles
tml Partners are specialists in Executive Search with access to a global network of commercial, marketing, communications, brand, product and digital leaders. Our team work with businesses ranging from fast-growth challenger brands to blue-chip organisations to develop their in-house teams.
Whether you’re seeking interim or permanent solutions, our team has the expertise to support across various sectors and locations.
Emma Calder is currently partnering with high growth FMCG and health and wellness clients to support the best-in-class development of in-house commercial teams, working across both permanent and interim briefs.
To learn how tml Partners can help you, get in touch with Emma:
