The Company
Ishida Europe is a World leader in the supply of complete weighing machines and packing line solutions for both Food and Non Food Manufacturers based in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). From their Birmingham Head Office and manufacturing facility, they design and build mulithead weighers, snack food bag makers, fresh food weighers, checkweighers, x-ray inspection systems, quality control systems, tray sealers and the software that integrates with their own and other equipment.
The Challenge
Recruitment of three Project Engineers.
Ishida’s business was growing by 20% year on year and the company were in a strong position to increase the size of their Engineering Projects team, but struggled to identify quality candidates with related industry experience.
As Ishida Europe supply a wide range of Food sectors, their Project Engineers needed to have a technical understanding of different food processes, so they can quickly identify a machinery solution that will fulfil their clients packaging requirements. They would be managing multiple projects from conception through to installation and commissioning, so they also needed excellent time management skills, the ability to create and talk through CAD designs, manage external contractors and a willingness to travel abroad to meet customers and manage installations.
The Result
Food Careers has been recruiting project engineers for in excess of 10 years and has worked with many International Food machinery suppliers, so are aware of the type of individual required in terms of both their technical ability and personality fit.
The recruitment methodology we applied was the use of our own in house database of Project Engineers combined with the creation of a target list of Food machinery companies made up of either competitor businesses or similar organisations who supply allied equipment on a European or Global basis.
From experience, we knew these organisations employed Project Engineers who work extensively Overseas and have the skills required by Ishida. Some of the Engineers we already knew personally due to the work we undertake in the sector.
Using various communication tools we contacted relevant Project Engineers within those organisations to discuss the positions and confirm their interest, put the interested candidates through a competency based screening process and presented Ishida Europe with a shortlist of suitable applicants.
After organising interviews that would fit in with Ishida’s commitments (home & abroad) and the candidate’s busy work schedules, we managed job offer negotiations, kept in touch with the three individuals during their notice periods, and are pleased to confirm that the three individuals introduced by Food Careers are all thriving in their new roles with Ishida Europe.
This case study is a good example of how knowledge (industry & people) combined with Executive Search/Headhunt can be utilised by Food Careers to assist a client to recruit for ‘difficult to fill’ technical positions.
Client Feedback
“We struggled obtaining quality candidates with like minded industry experience before speaking to Food Careers. One of their Recruitment Consultants digested our needs and took his time evaluating candidates before placing them in front of Ishida.
Food Careers listened to our feedback both positive and negative regarding the initial candidates and further to this feedback, the quality of the candidates only improved.
It was a breath of fresh air that Food Careers took the time to properly understand our business needs instead of overselling candidates which were just not suitable to the positions we were trying to fill.
Over a 3-4 month period Food Careers were able to place three senior project staff with Ishida who are currently thriving in their new roles.”
General Manager -EMEA Projects, Ishida Europe (Name available on request)
