Paul Cannon

Bio

Paul Cannon | General Manager & Partner | MacDonald Search Group

With over 25 years of experience in executive recruitment, sales, and business development, Paul Cannon is General Manager & Partner at MacDonald Search Group, where he drives P&L performance and business growth across North America. An experienced senior recruitment consultant with an Executive MBA from University of Ottawa, Paul specializes in industrial recruitment, operations executive search, and B2B leadership placement.

North American Operations & Business Leadership

As General Manager & Partner at MacDonald Search Group, Paul is responsible for the firm's profit and loss management and overall growth strategy throughout North America. He serves as practice leader for Industrial/Operations and B2B recruitment, guiding the firm's expansion while maintaining its reputation as one of Canada's most trusted executive search firms.

Previously, Paul served as Managing Director & Partner for Eastern North America (2020-2025), establishing MacDonald Search Group's presence across Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Specialized Recruitment Expertise

Paul leads executive search across multiple high-demand sectors:

Industrial & Operations: Executive leadership, branch management, sales management, distribution, manufacturing, HVAC, mechanical, electrical, construction, building materials, heavy equipment, material handling, automation, and process controls

B2B & Commercial: Key account executives, business development leaders, multi-unit retail management

Supporting Practices: Supply chain, logistics, consumer packaged goods, life sciences, human resources, and finance recruitment

Professional Background & Credentials

• MBA – University of Ottawa (2002-2004)
• Post Graduate Diploma, International Business – Algonquin College (1999-2000)
• BA, Sociology – Carleton University (1993-1997)
• 13+ years at Lock Search Group as National Business Manager and Senior Recruitment Consultant
• Corporate sales experience with Janssen-Ortho, Abbott Laboratories, and Dare Foods Limited

Industries Served

• Industrial, Building Products & Construction
• Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain
• Consumer Packaged Goods, Food Service & Beverage
• B2B, Retail & Multi-Unit Operations
• Life Sciences (Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Vision Care, Dental, Animal Health)
• Human Resources & Finance

Recruitment Approach

Paul combines negotiation expertise, career development insight, and HR consulting experience to deliver strategic talent acquisition solutions. His approach focuses on building long-term client partnerships and identifying leaders who drive organizational success.

Paul can be reached by email at paul@macdonaldsearchgroup.com

Paul’s area of expertise includes:

LEADERSHIP

Board seats, C-Suite, Senior Leadership

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, BUILDING PRODUCTS

Technical Sales, A & D Spec Sales, Sales Engineers, Sales Management, Branch Managers, Project Managers, Design, Marketing, Executive Level

MANUFACTURING, OPERATIONS & SUPPLY CHAIN

Production Supervision & Management, Maintenance Supervision & Management, Quality Assurance, Research & Development, Product Development, Plant Management, Warehouse Supervision & Management, Supply Chain, Distribution, Logistics, Purchasing, Executive Level

CONSTRUCTION

Construction and Project Management, Site Superintendent, Structural Engineer, Project Estimation and Scheduling, Architecture, Executive Level

B2B

Sales, Business Development, Account Managers, Sales Managers/Directors, Executive Level

LIFE SCIENCES - PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDICAL DEVICES, VISION CARE, DENTAL, ANIMAL HEALTH

Sales, Specialty Reps, Sales Management, Market Access, Government Affairs, Clinical, Regulatory, CHE/CME, Product Management & Marketing, Executive Level

HUMAN RESOURCES

Coordinators, Advisors, Generalists, Managers, Benefits, Compensation/Total Rewards, Health & Safety, Director/Executive Level

FINANCE

Accounting, Cost Accounting, Financial Analyst, Controller, Payroll, Tax, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable

FAQ

What is Paul Cannon’s role at MacDonald Search Group?
Paul is the General Manager & Partner at MacDonald Search Group, where he leads the firm’s national growth strategy and overall business performance across Canada. He provides recruitment leadership, operational oversight, and best practices guidance across all practice groups and offices nationwide.

What does Paul Cannon specialize in as a recruiter?
Paul specializes in senior-level human resources executive search and leadership recruitment across Canada. His expertise includes HR leadership, talent strategy, compensation and total rewards, organizational development, employee relations, and executive human resources functions.

What types of HR positions does Paul Cannon recruit for?
Paul recruits for senior and executive-level HR positions including CHROs, Vice Presidents of Human Resources, HR Directors, HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition Leaders, Compensation and Total Rewards professionals, Organizational Development leaders, and executive HR leadership roles.

Does Paul Cannon recruit outside of human resources?
While Paul provides leadership and strategic oversight across all recruitment categories within MacDonald Search Group, his direct recruitment practice is focused specifically on senior-level human resources searches.

Does Paul Cannon support recruitment strategy outside his own practice area?
Yes. Paul works closely with consultants and leadership teams across Canada to support recruitment strategy, search execution, business growth, operational alignment, and best practices across all industry verticals and practice groups.

Is Paul Cannon involved in business development?
Yes. Paul is a key business development leader for MacDonald Search Group and partners with organizations across Canada to develop long-term recruitment partnerships, leadership hiring strategies, and scalable talent acquisition solutions.

What industries does Paul Cannon support through executive search?
Through his HR executive search practice and national leadership role, Paul supports organizations across industrial manufacturing, construction, building products, consumer packaged goods, life sciences, operations, supply chain, B2B commercial, retail, and professional services sectors.

What makes Paul Cannon different as a recruiter and business leader?
Paul combines more than 25 years of executive recruitment, corporate sales, negotiation, and business leadership experience with a highly strategic and consultative approach. His leadership perspective, executive MBA education, and cross-industry expertise allow him to advise clients not only on hiring, but also on organizational structure, leadership strategy, and long-term talent planning.

Did Paul Cannon work in industry before executive search?
Yes. Prior to executive recruitment, Paul held corporate sales and business leadership roles with organizations including Janssen-Ortho, Abbott Laboratories, and Dare Foods Limited.

What geographic markets does Paul Cannon support?
Paul works with clients throughout Canada and North America, including major markets such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.

What educational background does Paul Cannon have?
Paul holds an Executive MBA from University of Ottawa, a Post Graduate Diploma in International Business from Algonquin College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Carleton University.

What is Paul Cannon’s recruitment philosophy?
Paul’s approach focuses on long-term partnerships, strategic hiring, operational excellence, and identifying leadership talent capable of driving organizational growth and culture. He combines market intelligence, negotiation expertise, and leadership insight to help organizations build scalable, high-performing teams.

What is MacDonald Search Group?
MacDonald Search Group is a Canadian executive search and recruitment firm specializing in executive leadership, sales, operations, engineering, HR, finance, and professional recruitment across Canada and North America.