With over 15 years in executive search and talent pipeline building, we specialize in the Food & Health industry across Europe and the US.
Our global reach connects clients with top international talent, bridging geographical gaps, fostering kind connections with the best candidates, no matter where they call home.
Jakob Spring is an executive search boutique that specializes in building new connections within the dynamic and constantly evolving food and health industry, all while maintaining a human touch.
We take pleasure in collaborating with passionate leaders who are fueled by their unique purposes. Our mission is to forge meaningful connections that contribute to the transformation and growth of companies.
Next to our in-depth knowledge of the industry, we believe in partnerships and that success is about business acumen and about connecting with people on a deeper, human level. We believe in focusing on the strengths of people and hiring for attitude.
Miranda Swank is the founder of Jakob | Spring and an international executive search leader with 15+ years of experience in Food and Health and Food and Ingredients. She built and led a 30-person search team before launching Jakob | Spring for a more personal, high-touch, results-driven approach.
Known for her pragmatic, direct style, Miranda partners closely with scale-ups, privately held and mission-driven organisations, and teams in transition. With experience living and working in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and California, she brings a global lens and long-term relationships built on trust, authenticity, pragmatism, optimism, and measurable impact.
Sanne Rietveld is a partner at Jakob | Spring with 8 years of executive search experience, connecting high-caliber talent with strategic, transformative roles across Food and Health and other purpose-led sectors. She has a strong track record of finding leaders who can navigate complexity, guide organisations through cultural shifts, and build long-term growth.
Having lived and worked in Brazil, the Netherlands, and France, Sanne brings a genuinely international lens and a sharp understanding of what cross-border leadership moves demand in real life. Fluent in four languages, she bridges cultures and talent markets with ease. She joined Jakob | Spring because her personal philosophy aligns with the firm’s DNA: human connection, ambition with accountability, and focus on outcomes that last.
Why the name Jakob | Spring
The name Jakob is a tribute to the founder’s father, whose values shape the foundation of our work. He stands for trust, entrepreneurship, and genuine care for people — but also for a grounded pragmatism and a strong results‑oriented mindset. He believes in doing things well, doing them with integrity, and doing them in a way that truly moves people and businesses forward.
Spring symbolizes transition and growth — the evolution companies undergo when the right leader steps in, and the momentum a candidate experiences when entering a new chapter in their career.
Together, Jakob | Spring represents who we are: human at the core, practical in our approach, and committed to creating meaningful, results‑driven growth.