Supply Chain Recruiters

Every client asks this question, and my answer is always the same. It depends on the hiring managers involved, the complexity of the search, and the market. Barring any complications, an average search takes between 4 – 6 weeks and we pace ourselves based on the speed and urgency of our client and how quickly they communicate and move our candidates through their interviewing process. If a client has a long and drawn-out process, it will take longer to complete a search. If they are decisive and their process is efficient, it can happen much quicker. It is not uncommon for a search to only take a few weeks, but it’s also not uncommon for a search to take several months. 

During our discovery call, we will do our best to provide you with an educated estimate of what we expect it to take, but we do try to set realistic expectations as there are many factors outside our control that can affect the timeline.

We start each search with a detailed discovery call. We want to fully understand the needs of our client, the details of the position, and the culture of the company. This call can take up to an hour, but it sets the foundation for a partnership that allows us to get to know the company at a deep level so we can effectively present supply chain talent that will have not only the skills required, but who also blend in well with the team’s chemistry for a long-term fit.

After the initial conversation our team meets to strategize our specific approach to the search. We take our extensive proprietary search process and curate it to ensure it will be as effective as possible in uncovering and vetting the right people to consider for your position. We continue to build upon our understanding of your organization with weekly communication.

We believe in metrics and we measure various internal data points to ensure we perform and continuously improve for our clients. We look at time-to-fill, candidate flow, cycle times against targets and benchmarks, and more. We stay in touch beyond the hire as well. Because we offer a 5 Year Replacement program, we touch base periodically to measure both the success and length of our hires, which is higher than the industry average.

In 2021, we had a success rate of 96% on our Specialty Search. The industry average is 80%. On a contingency search, our average conversion rate is 47%, while the industry average is less than 24%. We pride ourselves on being selective and taking on hires we know we can fill successfully. We want to ensure there will be a good fit between both the company and the candidate. 

We owe our success to two main things. First is to our proprietary search process which is great at finding supply chain talent in hidden or unexpected areas in a persistent manner. Second, is due to the thoroughness of our interviewing process which rules out many unqualified candidates and helps you prevent mis-hires.

Supply chain is an ever-changing and highly critical area for manufacturers today. Generalist recruiters may not understand the complexity or skills needed to make a successful hire. It takes a dedicated and experienced supply chain recruiter to find and engage experts that can help you succeed in all facets of your manufacturing organization. The pandemic, trade wars and other market disruptions are changing company needs and our supply chain recruiters know how to help you acquire the expertise you need. Employees that were fine a few years ago, may no longer have the experience level you need to bridge the gap and reach your full potential. Whether you need a supply chain leader who can implement a full strategic transformation or someone who can help fix specific weak links in your organization, we can help. Our leaders have proven track records in change management, digital capabilities, and sustainability. They can help you align your supply chain capabilities to ensure you’re not being beset by delays, unnecessary costs, inefficiencies or missed opportunities.

We aim to be a true partner to help you hire the best and brightest supply chain talent available. Our thorough process leaves no stones unturned in our search and we are very choosy who we put in front of you for consideration. We want to make sure that every person we present is someone you’ll be excited to speak with. Because of the thoroughness of our process, we can stand behind our candidates with a 5-Year Replacement Program – something our competitors can’t touch.

Well, it’s probably because we’re fun to work with and we deliver results! Bottom line, we do our best to be honest, reliable, and a great resource for our clients. We strive to under promise and over deliver, so if we aren’t the best firm for a project, we’ll let you know who is. We provide regular communication and keep you apprised of what we are hearing during the search to help make you a better company. We can consult on ways to help you become a more highly desirable place to work and improve your retention rates. I frankly don’t know why any company would want to work with anyone else ????!

We recruit nationwide. We have had searches in major cities and are also adept at helping find talent in smaller or more rural locations where there is a shortage of supply chain or manufacturing experts. We typically start our searches locally or regionally and can extend outwards as necessary. We are highly experienced in handling searches where relocation is necessary and can advise appropriately.

Mangrum Solutions can help you fill your critical supply chain roles from mid-management through the executive level. This includes finding leaders for functional areas such as:

• Supply chain (SCM and OSCM)
• Materials management
• Purchasing & procurement
• Inventory & warehousing
• Distribution & transportation

Reputable recruitment agencies usually charge anywhere from 20% – 35% of a candidate’s 1st year guaranteed income. We customize each search and base our fees on the level of position, the difficulty of the search, and the amount of time expected to ensure a successful hire. 

Our average fee falls between 25 – 30%, which is in line with the industry average. We deliver high-level results and invest upfront in our searches. While this could justify billing at a higher rate, our priority is to develop a strong, long-term relationship with our clients. We also provide repeat placement discounts and other incentives to help save even more.

No. We never charge our candidates to place them. We work for our clients to help them fill their specific searches. This is only successful when we match great talent with desirable opportunities. So, while our candidates don’t pay us, we still do our best to ensure each person is being placed in a position they will enjoy and where they will be able to grow their career. We also strive to help the supply chain talent we don’t place by providing access to resources and other career opportunities.