Plant Manager - Engineering
IRC Global Executive Search Partner
Business Consulting , IRC Global Executive Search Partner - Poland
Search:
Plant Manager
Client/Industry:
Engineering
Situation:
The company developed close partnerships with its customers which was also for the case of each of their plant locations. Acting as a supplier for a truck manufacturer in Cracow, the company decided to establish production line alongside their customer. They were looking for a Plant Manager to set up the production in the assembly plant.
Companies producing tipper bodies and tipping trailers in the region are primarily of Polish origin. Employees are employed on a long term basis, are generally without knowledge of foreign languages, and are not keen on the prospect of any move or relocation. Very similar situations are to be found at most of the machinery manufactures with foreign capital and production lines in Poland. Managers possessing all of required experience and knowledge, including fluency in foreign languages are not motivated to make changes as they are enjoying good employee conditions in current positions and there is no necessity to make a move.
Challenge:
The new Plant Manager would be responsible for building and setting up the plant with cooperation of the project team, was required to have engineering - machine building knowledge and a mechanical or production background. In addition, it was required that they have strong experience in a similar business - big repair or service stations run by truck producers. The ideal candidate must be fluent in German, and possess the characteristics of an honest, reliable, well organized, self-confident and committed person.
Methodology/Solution:
The consultants from Business Consulting developed a list of companies that produced tipper bodies and tipping trailers, motoring companies and service stations in Poland. The search process was very challenging, particularly because of the required knowledge of German. In the first phase we proposed three candidates, who despite their knowledge of English, were not accepted by the client who was insisting on German fluency. The second proposed candidate was a very interesting one that met all requirements, but his production experience was not sufficient for the client to accept him, although he cooperated with the production in a direct line. Finally we proposed four new candidates. The result was such that after interviews and discussions there was one candidate that met all requirements supported by his strong motivation to undertake the position.
Candidate:
The candidate has experience as a Technologist and a Service Station Manager. Recently he was a Brand Manager for a group of French Service Centers responsible for creating this branch and hiring and managing their team. He has a strong background in Mechanics and Machinery. He is communicative in German, young, ambitious and an open and well organized person.
