Category Archives: For Employers

When to Replace a Founder CEO: A Guide for a New Private Equity Owner

A confident, well-dressed executive in glasses smiles at the camera, framed by the thumbs-up gestures of a larger, less-focused figure behind him, conveying approval and success in executive recruitment.

Replacing a founder CEO is one of the most delicate and high-stakes decisions a private equity firm can make—one that can determine the success or failure of the investment. The founder is often the company’s visionary, culture-setter, and public face. But after a PE acquisition, the demands of value…

Top Manufacturing Search Firms of 2026: A C-Suite Guide to Choosing Your Partner

Top Manufacturing Search Firms of 2026: A C-Suite Guide to Choosing Your Partner

In today’s high-stakes manufacturing landscape, where operational excellence, supply chain agility, and innovation define success, hiring the right leadership is more critical than ever. For CEOs and COOs navigating executive talent decisions, choosing a top-tier search firm isn’t just about filling a vacancy—it’s about securing a partner who can shape your company’s future. The term […]

Retained vs. Contingency: Why a Retained Search is Crucial for Key Manufacturing Hires

Retained vs. Contingency: Why a Retained Search is Crucial for Key Manufacturing Hires

In today’s competitive manufacturing landscape, hiring the right leadership is not just important—it’s mission-critical. From plant managers and operations executives to engineering directors, these roles influence everything from production efficiency to regulatory compliance and long-term growth. Yet, many organizations struggle to attract and retain the right talent using traditional recruitment methods. Two popular approaches dominate […]

The State of Manufacturing Leadership Recruitment in 2026: Trends & Challenges

The State of Manufacturing Leadership Recruitment in 2026: Trends & Challenges

The factory floor of 2026 demands a new kind of leader—one who speaks the language of AI, sustainability, and global uncertainty. The manufacturing sector is at a pivotal turning point as we move into 2026. Driven by powerful forces such as Industry 4.0, reshoring initiatives, sustainability imperatives, and ongoing supply chain volatility, the industry is […]

The True Cost of a Bad Manufacturing Hire (And How to Calculate the ROI of a Great One)

The True Cost of a Bad Manufacturing Hire (And How to Calculate the ROI of a Great One)

Hiring the wrong person in a manufacturing role can feel like a temporary setback—but in reality, it’s often a costly mistake with far-reaching consequences. While many companies focus only on salary when assessing the impact of a bad hire, the true cost runs much deeper. From lost productivity and team disruption to customer dissatisfaction and […]

Navigating the Manufacturing Skills Gap: 7 Strategies to Secure Top Talent

Navigating the Manufacturing Skills Gap: 7 Strategies to Secure Top Talent

The manufacturing industry is evolving at a breakneck pace — with automation, robotics, and digital technologies reshaping how factories operate. While this evolution unlocks new efficiencies and growth opportunities, it also highlights a growing challenge: the manufacturing skills gap. Despite job availability, many manufacturers struggle to find qualified talent with the right mix of technical […]

How to Conduct a Confidential Executive Search in Manufacturing Without Alerting Competitors

How to Conduct a Confidential Executive Search in Manufacturing Without Alerting Competitors

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive manufacturing industry, leadership can make—or break—a company’s strategic direction. But what happens when an organization needs to replace a key executive, enter a new market, or restructure leadership—without tipping off competitors, unsettling employees, or alarming stakeholders? That’s where confidential executive searches come in. These carefully managed recruitment efforts allow […]

How Many Searches Does a Lead Consultant Handle Concurrently?

A confident executive search consultant leading a strategy presentation, explaining the retained search process on a large screen to a diverse team of clients in a modern conference room.

When choosing a retained executive search partner, one critical—but often unspoken—question looms large: “How many other searches will my lead consultant be working on while handling mine?” It’s a fair question. After all, the success of your executive hire may depend just as much on a consultant’s bandwidth and focus as on their network or […]

Logistics Director Headhunters: Securing the Talent to Optimize Your Entire Network

Logistics Director Headhunters: Securing the Talent to Optimize Your Entire Network

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven supply chain landscape, logistics is no longer just about movement—it’s about strategy, efficiency, and competitive advantage. As networks grow more complex, the role of a Logistics Director has become mission-critical. From optimizing warehouse operations to managing real-time delivery data, these leaders turn operational challenges into strategic wins. But finding such top-tier […]

What are “back-channel” references and are they ethical?

Stylized illustration of two men in suits in a deep discussion, representing a confidential back-channel reference check during a retained executive search process.

In high-stakes executive search, traditional reference checks offer only part of the picture. That’s why top retained search firms often conduct back-channel references—discreet, off-list conversations with people who’ve worked with the candidate in the past. But this raises a key question: Are back-channel references ethical and appropriate for leadership hires? In this article, we explore the ethics of […]