FOOD & DRINK RECRUITMENT

The Client

Chaucer Foods are suppliers to major food producers all over the world and have leading global market positions in freeze dried ingredients, croutons and mushroom extract. With sales totalling over $110m, Chaucer Foods sell their production over 30 countries, operate an extensive network of established distributors across the globe and operate manufacturing sites in the UK, France and China and employ over 400 people.

Route

Following an unsuccessful recruitment campaign with another agency for a Quality & Technical Manager, Chaucer’s HR Manager began looking for a new Recruitment Consultancy and found Network Recruitment Partnership in Food Manufacture magazine. Terms were requested from Network along with the fee structure. Chaucer’s were budget conscious and such were very happy when Network was able to tailor a recruitment plan to fit both budget and requirements and offer real value for money recruitment services. Chaucer Foods had made the same approach to several recruitment agencies at the same time as requesting information, but chose Network due to their prompt response.

Background

Chaucer Foods has a fairly stable workforce with low staff turnover; consequently the need to recruit doesn’t arise very often, although they do employ temporary operatives who are taken on permanently as required. Previous vacancies have been handled internally, advertising at the job centre or in the local paper. However, as this particular role was a specialist professional vacancy they felt the need to use specialist recruitment services. The post had recently become available due to the current Manager moving to their Head Office in Hull to become Group Quality & Technical Manager.

Brief

After agreeing terms, Chaucer Foods sent Network the job specification and salary expectations for a technical QA Manager for their Derby site. Network, took a recruitment brief from the hiring manager to gain a thorough understanding of Chaucer’s expectations for this position. Chaucer’s stated that time was important and needed to recruit someone as soon as possible who possessed the qualities detailed in the job description whilst still remaining within budget.

Timeframe

From Network receiving the initial brief to appointing a new Manager it took six weeks and this all managed to be completed during the festive break.Chaucer Food’s HR Manager first made contact with Network on 14^th December and was called back immediately. The successful candidate’s CV was sent to Chaucer Foods on 20^th December with the first interview arranged for 13^th January, followed by a second on 21^st. Chaucer’s made an offer to the candidate that same day and a start date of 28^th January was agreed upon.

Budget

Chaucer Foods were always mindful of budget throughout the process and therefore Network took this seriously, firstly, preparing a tailor made recruitment plan that would allow them to reach the right candidates yet remain on budget and secondly, put forward candidates that fit the salary bracket. Debra Sage of Chaucer Foods said, “The fee met our budget and due to securing a suitable candidate for a salary slightly below budget, we have actually saved money.”

Outcome

When speaking of their new recruit Debra said, “Although it is still early days, we are very pleased with our new recruit and trust he will be an asset to the company.” Chaucer Foods were extremely pleased with the service Network provided them with, in fact the HR Manager has already recommended Network Recruitment to their Head Office in Hull and is confident that following this successful campaign this branch of Chaucer Foods will use Network again. Part of the success Chaucer Foods puts down to the high level of communication that was maintained throughout the process, introducing strong candidates (within budget) and responding quickly at all times – all of which other agencies failed to do. Paul Evans, the Consultant that managed this campaign, has since visited the Derby site to meet the team. Debra said, “Our contact, was both friendly and professional and Paul has since visited our site to meet our team and see how our business works. I am still in contact with him while our new recruit settles in to his role.” 

  " I would not hesitate to recommend (Network) to anyone else. Our Contact was both friendly and professional."

-  Debra, HR Manager, Chaucer Foods