From the Floor to the Hire
From the plant floor to recruiting. Manufacturing experience applied to finding the right talent.
I started where a lot of people start - general labor on a manufacturing floor. Over ten years, I worked my way through the ranks. Quality technician. CMM programmer. Metrology specialist. Quality Engineer. Quality Manager.
A good portion was in third-party service, which meant exposure to nearly every corner of manufacturing. Automotive, aerospace, medical, precision machining, metal fab. When you're the outside guy, you see how everyone operates.
That background matters. When I recruit a Quality Engineer, I've done the work. When I recruit a VP of Operations, I understand their teams. When I talk to a candidate who started on the floor and wants to know what's possible, I've lived it.
Now I'm applying that knowledge to recruiting. Quality. Engineering. Operations. Leadership. I speak the language because I came up through it.
The 4 C's Framework
Candidates evaluate opportunities against predictable metrics. Most recruiters miss this.
Commute
#1 deal killer, daily quality of life
Daily quality of life comes first. A 47-minute commute might be tolerable for the paycheck... until it isn't. I've watched candidates leave great-paying jobs because the drive wore them down.
Compensation
Feeling valued, market competitive
About feeling valued, not just absolute dollars. "I need more money" usually means "I don't feel valued + the commute is killing me + I see no future here."
Culture
Team fit, leadership quality
Fit with the team and leadership. Toxic culture drives good people out fast, no matter what you're paying.
Career
Growth path visibility
Growth path visibility. Companies that can't answer "What's their path in Year 2?" have retention problems.
Some recruiters might optimize for comp and skills. We optimize for a fit.
Hunt Methodology
- •10-20 candidate profiles daily
- •Customized messaging (no templates)
- •30-60 minute conversations (not quick screens)
- •Filter hard - send 2-3, not everyone interested