Bio
James Palmer is a senior recruitment professional and business leader specializing in industrial, manufacturing, and B2B sales and marketing recruitment. Based in Vancouver, he brings more than 16 years of leadership experience from the industrial sector, combining firsthand operational insight with proven executive search expertise to help clients build high-performing commercial teams.
Before joining MacDonald Search Group, James spent over a decade at the Great Little Box Company (GLBC), where he served as Vice President, Sales & Marketing. During his tenure, he guided GLBC through significant growth, leading ten acquisitions and integrations, expanding regional markets, and developing sales and marketing strategies that strengthened customer reach and profitability. This hands-on business background gives James a unique perspective as a recruiter — he understands what effective leadership looks like inside fast-growing, complex organizations.
At MacDonald Search Group, James focuses on recruiting sales, marketing, operations, and executive leaders across industrial products, packaging, manufacturing, and distribution sectors. His approach is consultative and grounded in long-term partnerships, helping clients not just hire but build cohesive, scalable teams that align with their strategic goals.
James is recognized for his deep network across Western Canada, his operator’s mindset, and his ability to identify leaders who thrive in entrepreneurial, growth-driven settings. Passionate about organizational development and succession planning, he partners with executives to anticipate future talent needs and design recruitment strategies that drive sustained success.
James can be reached by email at james@macdonaldsearchgroup.com
James’ areas of expertise include:
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS & DISTRIBUTION
Sales, Inside Sales, Technical Sales, A & D Spec Sales, Sales Engineers, Sales Management, Product Managers, Marketing, Executive Level
B2B
Sales, Business Development, Account Managers, Sales Managers/Directors, Executive Level