CASE STUDY

Recruiting high calibre Lean sensei’s in a specialist niche market.

The Challenge: Balancing candidate delivery with substantial client growth.

In early 2007, as preferred supplier to many leading companies embarking on Lean transformations, we were approached by our client to recruit a Senior Lean Transformation Consultant for their growing business in South East Asia. The plan was to recruit a senior General Manager with a proven track record in delivering and facilitating major multi-site Lean transformation projects in Asia Pacific. The Individual required a demonstratable track record at executive management (GM/VP/MD) including the delivery of significant quantitative bottom-line Lean / Toyota Production System conversion results. Strategic leadership, analytical and commercial skills were central to individual’s track record of performance improvement to date. This was a real challenge as experienced Lean Sensei’s holding full profit and loss responsibilities and having a strong track record of delivering high impact, sustainable Lean transformations with success in multiple functions are in short supply. Geography was also going to be a constraint as we needed to attract an individual who had the flexibility to work 2-3 weeks per month in Asia.

The Approach:

It was decided to combine both advertised selection and a dedicated search utilising our ability to combine industry knowledge and functional expertise relevant to this appointment. We have one of the strongest profiles for recruitment in this sector as well as a considerable track record to ensure success in every assignment that we have undertaken. Candidates are aware that we have first-rate expertise recruiting at these levels and therefore associate us with high quality organisations. We have also gained a considerable track record in completing assignments via dedicated search, often to a demanding and precise person specification. To be confident that we secured the best candidates in the market, rather than solely the best candidate that we approached, we agreed to complement the search also with low cost internet advertising on specialist sites.

The Process and the Result:

The assignment began with a briefing meeting between ourselves and the client. A comprehensive ‘standard work’ search process and detailed assignment brief was constructed, and this was used to brief the advertised and search candidates and assess their key technical and behavioural competencies. Assisted by a highly experienced researcher, who carried out an extensive search into the agreed targeted organisations across Europe and Asia, we carried out interviews and assessments and drew up a shortlist. Four high calibre candidates were presented at the short list meeting to our client and were subsequently interviewed by the Managing Director.

Following the half day ‘Hiring Cell’ assessment, candidates underwent testing and two further interviews. The assignment was concluded by an offer being made within four weeks and the Senior Lean Transformation Consultant starting with our client a month later. From the same shortlist a second candidate was offered and accepted a UK role driving and leading Lean transformations at an MOD defence facility.

Client Feedback

“Ardea provided a very professional service and we have appointed a highly competent lean sensei who is already making an impact on our business in Asia. Over the last 3 years, Daniel McDonald has demonstrated an excellent knowledge of our business with over 20 hires, and as preferred suppliers of executive search took time and dedication to really understand the complexity and issues we faced in this recruitment.”