Premium Cacao Market Entry – Research & Outreach (Boutique)

Project Overview We work with diverse clients across industries; this initiative specifically targets cacao within the Food & Beverage sector. Our approach is human-verified, high-quality contact research combined with sophisticated outreach. We are actively seeking top-tier Researchers and Native-English Outreach Specialists to execute rigorous research and personalized engagement. We do not use lists; we source verified, deliverable contacts. If needed, Apollo may be considered only as a last resort to supplement gaps, not as a primary source.

Objectives

Identify 15 active decision-makers in U.S.-based food & beverage purchasing roles for cacao products sourced from South America.
Ensure every contact meets strict criteria:
Email verification: SMTP verification and MX record validation; no generic addresses (e.g., info@, contact@, sales@) and no catch-all addresses.
Email authentication awareness: knowledge of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, with deliverability considerations.
Social media activity: profiles with meaningful engagement within the last year.
Mobile numbers: active mobile numbers included.
Deliver one dossier per contact containing background, recent industry activities, engagement insights, and a tailored outreach approach.
Provide a clear, executable outreach plan enabling conversion from research insights to outreach conversations.
Target Profile

Industry: Food & Beverage (Cacao)
Geography: United States (B2B buyers)
Role: Active purchasing decision-makers
Requirements: Verified contact data (non-list), social presence, direct outreach-ready details (phone, email with deliverability checks)
Team & Roles (Talent We’re looking For)

Researchers (2): Senior-level B2B market researchers with cacao or adjacent F&B sector experience; they must deliver high-quality, verifiable contact dossiers and actionable insights.
Outreach Specialists (2, Native English): Native English speakers with proven success in personalized, high-touch B2B outreach; capable of crafting sentiment-aware messages and managing multi-channel engagement.
Deliverables

15 fully verified contacts dossiers (name, title, company, verified email, social profiles, mobile number, engagement insights, and recommended outreach approach).
Evidence of verification (SMTP/MX checks, SPF/DKIM/DMARC awareness notes) for each contact.
A targeted outreach plan and sequence tailored to cacao buyers in the U.S.
Screening & evaluation rubrics for hiring, plus two job postings (one for Researchers, one for Outreach Specialists).
Verification & Deliverability Standards

Email verification must include: SMTP verification and MX record validation.
No generic or role-based email addresses (e.g., info@, contact@, sales@) allowed.
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC awareness or verification considerations must be applied to assess deliverability.
Contacts must have an active role, social profiles, and a reachable mobile number.
All data must be current and ethically sourced; no reliance on purchased lists or low-signal automation.
Qualifications & Experience Required

Researchers

Deep B2B research experience, preferably in food & beverage with cacao exposure.
Track record of sourcing high-quality, verifiable contacts (not lists).
Strong analytical skills to extract actionable insights from social profiles and public data.
Proficient in advanced search techniques and deliverability validation (SMTP + MX checks; familiarity with SPF/DKIM/DMARC is a plus).
Disqualifiers: Heavy reliance on automated scraping or generic services; inability to demonstrate human-verified accuracy.
Outreach Specialists

Native English speakers with exceptional writing and communication skills.
Proven success in personalized, high-touch B2B outreach; strong ability to tailor messages to individual profiles.
Skilled at reading sentiment and adapting outreach to maximize engagement and conversions.
Must not rely solely on AI; human-led outreach and thoughtful follow-ups are essential.
Disqualifiers: Lack of demonstrated custom, profile-based outreach; over-reliance on generic templates.
Compensation

Researchers: Premium rates commensurate with experience and proven ability to deliver verified contacts.
Outreach Specialists: Premium rates reflecting expertise in nuanced, personalized outreach and conversion outcomes.
Payment structure: Milestone-based with a reasonable upfront retainer; clear criteria for progression to the next milestone.