• SFR RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS

Month: September 2021

Vacancies

Production Supervisor – JS237

Sep 29, 2021 , , by sfrrecruitment

An opportunity exists for a Production Supervisor, reporting to the Production Manager.

The primary objective of this position is to:

Assisting and supervising specified Production personnel, in the production and despatch of a range of products, in accordance with customer specifications and orders received. (On Time In Full)

Key responsibilities and duties are to:

  • Assisting and supervising specified Production personnel, in the production and despatch of a range of products, in accordance with customer specifications and orders received. (On Time In Full)
  • Supervise the timely production and despatch of the whole range of products produced in accordance with required customer specifications and orders received. (Production value at right pace and right amount)
  • Assist in maintaining a buffer stock of popular sizes and colours etc. of certain product lines in accordance with agreed levels and help oversee adjustments to levels as required. (Maintain safety stocks in place to provided excellent service)
  • Assist and supervise specified Production personnel to ensure that the agreed standards of productivity and quality are maintained. Where necessary implement corrective action or training/development plans, referring to Manager if required.
  • Allocate personnel and organise their breaks and shift cover as necessary ensuring adequate resources are deployed to enable customer orders to be met in a timely manner. Labour plan and allocation on weekly basis) 
  • Report production machinery/tooling problems to the Engineering department in a timely manner and any other issues at morning meetings. 
  • Ensure Health and Safety requirements are adhered to at all times, especially in the operation of machinery where safe working practises MUST BE OBSERVED and keep work area clean and tidy and free from potential hazards.
  • Be flexible in approach and prepared to work extended hours where necessary in order to get the job done and provide cover in all production areas as required.
  • Oversee the discipline within the manufacturing area, in conjunction with various team leaders in their applicable areas, together with control of personnel issues such as resourcing, training and development, appraisals, absence, disciplinary, health and safety etc.
  • Observe the Company Quality and Environmental standards, procedures and guidelines are followed in all areas of production activity, together with monitoring quality and consistency of output on an on-going basis. Help maintain the highest standards of quality within production procedures, in order to ensure continued customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Organise housekeeping and factory and car park maintenance to ensure our premises are kept to the required standard. (5S Audits)
  • Carry out regular stock takes to ensure the correct levels of materials/parts are being held in stock, ordering replacement materials/parts as necessary.
  • Assist in the organisation and overseeing of production work procedures and production analysis, making recommendations for change where necessary, to enhance the performance of the department.
  • To ensure that all site personnel have been suitable trained to complete the works required and that all risks and method of work have been communicated and Risk Assessment and Method Statement documents are understood and signed off by operatives.
  • Ensuring that all risk assessments are up to date, and that they are completed on time and any relevant actions are completed.
  • Participate in lean exercises to support continuous improvement events within department to determine and eliminate waste.
  • Provide effective support to the Sales teams, Marketing, Product Management and any other key functions applicable within the business unit and other group companies as required.
  • Participate in specific projects and improvement activities as required and directed by Management
  • Understand, proactively embrace and positively act in accordance with our core values and beliefs; empowerment, innovation and integrity and consistently demonstrate the associated behaviours.
  • Understand, proactively embrace and positively act in accordance with our code of conduct.
  • Ensure completion of all relevant compliance training and procedures.
  • Assist with on-boarding of new staff into the business by helping with Training and providing information and assistance.
  • Help and assist other team members, even outside of own individual tasks.
  • Take pro-active responsibility for the improvement of KPI’s by providing data to Management and actions plans for improvement.
  • To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of self and colleagues in accordance with group and local EHS procedures.
  • And any other duties required to assist in supporting the achievement of Company objectives

 The ideal candidate will have:

  • Have proven experience in a Supervisor role
  • Have proven experience working within the manufacturing sector
  • Possess good manual dexterity.
  • Have a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
  • Possess a good eye for detail and be able to spot defects and faults.
  • Be able to co-operate and work well in a team.
Vacancies

Technical Systems Specialist – MR236

Sep 24, 2021 by sfrrecruitment

35-40k + Car Allowance + Pension

National

Primary objective of this position: To work closely with the sales teams and distribution partners in the region as well as the factory & team abroad in the development of both sales and customer solutions. To support both in the field and remotely all group electromechanical IT based systems, including onsite installation and fault finding support, remote analysis and in house and customer training. To actively engage in the technical sales process for the systems including new initiatives, exhibitions, documentation and specifications. Provide technical assistance to the internal and external sales teams and workshops.

Manage the development process with all integrations undertaken in conjunction within the group within the UK & Ireland

  • Development work carried out with specific customers to achieve desired goal, be it operational or data/reporting driven.
  • Support the local organisation in the daily workload and development of systems relative to software, sales support, training, and helpdesk.
  • Take ownership of information and cyber security information management for use in specification and tenders.

Principal Accountabilities :

  • Accompanying sales teams and partners with sales activities, deployments and usage in regards to system projects at customers.
  • Technical expertise, support and training of the product, software and service range in UK & Ireland region.
  • Provide documentation and tools for sales teams and distribution partners and integrators for sales development in conjunction with the wider sales team.
  • Communicate to all stakeholders of systems in the region about scheduled updates, new features of each update, service outages, unplanned incidents and other notifications issued by the factory
  • Detecting customer needs and documenting solutions.
  • Analyse the market and surrounding technical evolutions as well as competitors’ features and movements
  • Defining the new development needs (functionalities, architecture etc.)
  • Monitoring of product development and adaptations, follow the development of the solution with the teams concerned and guarantee adequacy of the specifications and new developments.
  • Support alpha and beta tests as well as POCs in the region
  • Know, measure and share the value of the solutions produced throughout the economic chain (distributor, installer / integrator, end customer) by being in constant contact with customers and regional sales
  • Participate in the development of the strategic plan for the product range in collaboration with business development.
  • Attend Sales Meetings, Product Promotions, Training Sessions and other industry related functions when required both within local region and wider regions as required.
  • Ensure all reports and records are maintained and developed in conjunction with business and customer requirements.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Electronics Engineering / Information Technologies / Computer Science

Experience in a business related/commercial function, or proven track record in appropriate industry.

Experience:

-Minimum 3 years of experience in electronic / information technology / software product development.

-Proven track record of technical support

-Experience with cloud hosted applications

-Experience maintaining Windows Server platforms

-Experience with network security, communications and firewall configurations

-Experience in running IT application based training sessions

-Project management skills are an advantage.

Special Competencies:

-Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Computer Networks (URL, DNS, Proxy, Domain, IP), IT network security

-Integration technologies and programming: Web Services (SOAP, xml)

-Knowledge of high availability and redundant service environments

Personal characteristics:

–Good interpersonal skills

-An Intelligent thinker who is focused and priority driven.

-A positive and determined approach to problem solving and fault finding

-Motivation to achieve with a well organised and structured approach.

-Ability to work in an extremely challenging and demanding environment, understanding the     learning requirements of the customer.

-Must be amenable to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory

Please get in touch with Matthew at SFR Recruitment Solutions if you wish to learn more or apply for this position. 

Vacancies

Maintenance Engineer – JS234

Sep 24, 2021 , by sfrrecruitment

New opportunity exists for a Maintenance Engineer, Newton Abbot, reporting to the Engineering Manager.

The primary objective of this position is to:

Support the operation of the office and factory facilities through completion of planned preventative maintenance, repairs and process improvements

Key responsibilities and duties are to:

  • Undertake and support engineering business improvements including the installation, commissioning, relocating and alterations to equipment to support manufacturing improvement and cost reduction exercises to deadlines.
  • Provide timely breakdown assistance (electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic) to support a safe and effective manufacturing operation.
  • Carry out planned preventative maintenance of equipment and services in line with the CMMS   schedule.
  • Drive miscellaneous production engineering related projects as required to support the manufacturing organisation.
  • Participate and support continuous improvement / lean projects within the business.
  • Support new product introductions and factory re-layout initiative
  • Undertake the sourcing and ordering of parts and machinery to ensure production continuity including an effective critical spares inventory database.
  • Contribute towards the mentoring and development of engineering apprentices.
  • Provide manufacturing support through the use of machine tools and welding activities as required.
  • Raise and complete accurate works orders on the CMMS database.
  • Comply with the companies Health and Safety policies.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • OHC/HNC Level Qualification in Mechanical / Electrical Engineering or equivalent
  • City & Guilds 2382 18th Edition
  • Proven experience within a similar industrial manufacturing environment
  • Had exposure to PLC operated equipment and knowledge of fault-finding on PLC machines
  • Possess a wide general knowledge of manufacturing equipment, processes and facilities management
  • Proven trouble shooting experience of electrical, mechanical and pneumatic manufacturing equipment
  • Good level of computer literacy and familiar using MS Office applications / AutoCAD
  • Tool making / fabrication / machining skills
  • Working with plastics processing machinery, Welding (Mig/Tig)
  • Project management experience 

Please get in touch with Jamie at SFR Recruitment Solutions if you wish to learn more or apply for this position. 

Vacancies

Branch Manager – JS235

Sep 24, 2021 , , , by sfrrecruitment
  • £28-30K + OTE 40k + Pension
  • Milton Keynes
  • Permanent
  • Job Ref: JS235

SFR Recruitment Solutions have a brand-new opportunity for a Branch Manager!

The company:

My client specialises in the manufacture of windows, doors and home improvement products. This active business is looking to appoint an enthusiastic, reliable Branch Manager to join our team in Milton Keynes.

The position:

The Ideal candidate will have high levels of organisation with a systematic approach to their tasks. Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy are important skills for the Branch manager, as well as excellent communication skills! This is a customer facing role which will involve management of a team and their development.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Maintaining existing customers and attracting new business to achieve targets
  • Managing of depot accounts and identifying sales opportunities
  • Accurately processing quotes and orders + Debt management and invoicing
  • Reporting and analysis of sales, margins and debt
  • Quality management of goods inwards and outwards + Planning and routing deliveries
  • Managing and developing on site team
  • Ordering items from external suppliers in line with company process
  • Determining depot pricing strategy to maximise operating margins
  • Providing technical customer support and providing professional support to Regional Manager
  • Ensuring the depot is open and full staffed in line with published hours
  • Managing the warehouse, stock turnaround and ensuring consistent, high standards of housekeeping.
  • Responsibility for the health and safety of the depot ensuring compliance with legislation and company policy

Skills & Attributes

  • You must demonstrate excellent communication skills and high levels of organisation
  • It is essential to have previous experience in the building products sector
  • You must have previous experience leading, supervising and developing a team
  • It is desired that you have previous experience working as a Depot Manager or Assistant Depot Manager.

Why should you apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for a hardworking, enthusiastic and trustworthy individual to contribute towards the growth of your team and the success of the business. A generous salary and benefits are being offered with this position such as pension and on target earnings!

Do you possess these skills and attributes required to suit our client’s Branch Manager role?

Please apply or contact Jamie at SFR Recruitment Solutions for more information.

Vacancies

Product Category Manager – MR233

Sep 22, 2021 , , , , , by sfrrecruitment
Product Category Manager

SFR are excited to be recruiting for a Product Category Manager.

This position is to develop, implement, manage and drive to completion the agreed Electro mechanical product range strategies and plans, in order to achieve market share, sales turnover and gross margin objectives for all Door Hardware products.

Main Duties:

The key responsibility of the Electro-Mechanical Product Category Manager is the management of all aspects of the product group and/or service, in order to create and deliver superior customer satisfaction, whilst simultaneously providing long-term value for the company.

  • Strategic development of the Electro-Mechanical category for both UK and Export markets.
  • Collaboration with the Door Hardware Group product team for strategic development of electromechanical door solutions for both UK and Export markets.
  • Identification of market gaps, key value chain drivers, trends and customer profit potential.
  • Consistent and regular interface in the field – customer/commercial market – VOC
  • Support and drive product sales through proactive activities to support the field based commercial team.
  • Initiate and own market research, obtaining buy-in from relevant stake holders producing creative and original specifications for best-in-class customer centric products working with product Marketing and sister companies where appropriate.
  • Create and sponsor generation plans to drive NPI and product lifecycles
  • Strategic development of the Electro-Mechanical category for both UK and Export markets.
  • Collaboration with the Door Hardware Group product team for strategic development of electromechanical door solutions for both UK and Export markets.
  • Identification of market gaps, key value chain drivers, trends and customer profit potential.
  • Consistent and regular interface in the field – customer/commercial market – VOC
  • Support and drive product sales through proactive activities to support the field based commercial team.
  • Initiate and own market research, obtaining buy-in from relevant stake holders producing creative and original specifications for best-in-class customer centric products working with product Marketing and sister companies where appropriate.
  • Create and sponsor generation plans to drive NPI and product lifecycles.
  • Full and coherent understanding of competitors products and positioning in the market.
  • Identify, explore and lead new recurring revenue work streams to maximize market potential
  • Develop comprehensive service and training plans to deliver pre/post-sales support for customers and the commercial team
  • Understand and translate all industry standards and leverage to commercial advantage.
  • Overall management and co-ordination of New Product Development programs on time and to budget.
  • Creation of effective cost/price/value propositions maximizing turnover and profit potential for the business, driving market share and the re-investment in the brands.
  • Full commercialization of new product launches.
  • Monitoring and tracking of KPI’s:
    • Turnover
    • Profitability
    • Stock Control
    • SKU Management
    • NPI delivery
  • Proactively represent the Company and its interests at Industry events.
  • To be a proactive member of the businesses Product Management Team

    Education / Qualifications:
  • Ideally qualified to degree level
  • Has experience in electronics/electronic locking systems
  • Proven project management skills
  • Experienced with I.T. software / Microsoft Office & Project
  • Hold a full UK drivers license

Personal characteristics :

  • Enthusiastic, ambitious and confident
  • Self motivated, pro-active, with good communication skills
  • An excellent team player and good networker
  • Flexible approach
  • Reliable
  • Empathetic
Vacancies

Customer Service Advisor – JS231

Sep 21, 2021 , , , by sfrrecruitment

Role Summary:

The Customer Service Advisor is responsible for advising and interacting with customers to provide answers to queries involving our product or services, orders and general enquiries, including technical information. They will be responsible for formulating quotations, including supporting the sales team with their quotations, record keeping, liaising with the Production Department regarding customer orders and delivery dates. They will strive to offer a service that is perceived by customers and consumers as world class, consistently ensuring timely and efficient solutions and advice and striving for continuous improvement.

Main Responsibilities and Challenges

· Answer customer calls within agreed Service Levels.

· Ensure that all calls taken are wrapped up at the end of each call.

· Ensure that all return calls are made & any delays in dealing with these are escalated to direct report support.

· Handle Technical queries first line of support for our customers.

· Process ALL types of customer orders including pro-forma and free or charge orders ensuring they are all entered before end of business each day.

· Actively promote seamless tools available to all customers.

· Process customer concern and follow them through until final resolution including arranging transport bookings, ensuring all new concerns are processed before end of business each day.

· Communicate delivery failures to our customers on a daily basis for all customers.

· Ensure that any communication regarding sale orders, delays deliveries are recorded within ERP system or similar.

· Regular support on data cleansing order book — this includes orders on User Hold & Pro-forma’s.

· Maintain document manager linking all documentation to relevant systems.

· Provide support with orders on price hold, stock hold, credit hold and take ownership of clearing these bottle necks on a daily basis to avoid supply delays to our customers.

· Customer quotations are handled and activities cleared daily.

· Ensure that any delays in completing daily activities are reported directly to Assistant Customer Services Manager to support in meeting daily expectations.

· Maintain Document Management to ensure accurate and up to date information is available.

· Ensure that you operate in an ethical and responsible manner whilst protecting the company interests.

· Promptly & professionally handle any complaints and escalate to Assistant Customer Services Manager where necessary.

Standard Duties

· Understand, proactively embrace and positively act in accordance with our core values and beliefs; empowerment, innovation and integrity and consistently demonstrate the associated behaviours.

· Understand, proactively embrace and positively act in accordance with our code of conduct.

· Have an in-depth knowledge of customer service principles and practices, as well as relevant software and databases

· Be proficient in using Microsoft office packages and reflect good skills

· Be Confident, resilient and with the ability to handle challenging situations

· Demonstrate Commercial awareness

· Flexible attitude

· Ensure completion of all relevant compliance training and procedures.

· Assist with on-boarding of new staff into the business by helping with Training and providing information and assistance.

· Help and assist other team members, even outside of own individual tasks.

· Take pro-active responsibility for the improvement of KPI’s by providing data to Management and actions plans for improvement.

· To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of self and colleagues in accordance with group and local EHS procedures.

Background and Personal Qualities

· Experience within a busy, customer focused environment

· The ability to work under pressure, to deadlines with a strong determination to solve problems and resolve queries

· A positive and friendly telephone manner.

· Experience of using Microsoft office packages with good computer skills

· Confident and resilient with the ability to deal with conflict and difficult people

Qualifications

· Basic School Education required with a minimum of GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English. Additional qualifications, such as A Levels or a vocational qualification would be advantageous.

Competencies (including skills and Knowledge)

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Clearly conveys thoughts and ideas regularly and effectively in a variety of ways to fit the audience and situation (verbal, written, presentation). Involves and keeps others informed in a timely manner. Exercises tact and diplomacy. Seeks and welcomes constructive feedback and uses suggestions to best advantage. Understands and complies to the companies Code of Conduct and uses appropriate language and demonstrates professional behaviour at all times.

Self-Awareness

Has a good understanding of own abilities, potential, strengths and limitations. Is fully aware of impact of self on others and takes steps to continuously develop and learn from experiences and feedback.

Problem Solving

Obtains facts and data before making decision. Rapidly analyses complex problems, gets to the root causes and makes well-informed and timely decisions. Involves relevant people in decision-making to improve quality and to facilitate implementation.

Teamwork

Works cooperatively, collaboratively and effectively with others. Seeks ideas from others. Is open to reaching the same result in different ways. Builds a cohesive, high-performing team by establishing an open and trusting work environment. Willingly provides assistance.

Continuous Improvement

Adapts to changes in the work environment and job role. Initiates improvements for productivity, efficiency and/or cost savings. Supports kaizen methodologies. Is comfortable working outside of their comfort zone.

Planning and Organisation

Provides accurate time plans for project planning, sets realistic milestones and reviews appropriately. Makes effective use of tools, resources and time. Product Knowledge Commercial Awareness

Please get in touch with SFR Recruitment Solutions if you wish to learn more or apply for this position. 

Vacancies

Graduate Certification Executive – MR232

Sep 21, 2021 , , by sfrrecruitment

Main Duties: This is a Graduate level role with the following responsibilities:

 · to manage and coordinate product certification requirements within company. This would include the following:

· Ensure all applicable products are correctly certified – this currently includes CE, UKCA, Certifire and Kitemark but also include other certifications as needed.

· Inform and advise the business on all product certification matters.

· Inform and advise the business units on their specific product certification needs and issues.

· Ensure certification is considered for new products and product alterations and actioned accordingly.

· Ensure the business units understand the certification requirements for their products as well the documentation required.

· Ensure the business units have the requirement documentation in place and displayed in the correct areas.

· Coordinate all product testing for company certified products – this includes ensuring new products are scheduled for testing with the relevant certification body and current products are scheduled for periodic testing.

· Be the liaison between the business units and the certification bodies (EU notified bodies and UK approved bodies) to ensure products are certified correctly and within the required timeframes.

· Be the primary company contact for certification bodies for all certification matters

· Review certification matters for highly confidential acquisition targets reviewing and advising on the following:

– Any potential issues with the certification.

– Matters to address or issues to resolve ideally before acquisition.

-Matters to address or issues to resolve after acquisition.

Transfer the certification to company after the acquisition has been completed and before MVL of the acquired entity.

Education / Qualifications:

· Ideally qualified to degree level in a technical area

Functional competencies:

· Communication

· Planning and Organisation

· Problem Solving

· Teamwork

· Continuous Improvement

· Customer Focus

· Commercial Awareness

· Customer Focus

· Proficient in Microsoft Office (mainly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Personal characteristics:

· Flexible approach

· Reliable

· Empathetic

· Self-starter

· Can working individually as well as in a team

· Technical or legal studying background

· Ambitious

· Energetic, enthusiastic and committed

· Desire to succeed

· Problem solver

· Organized and rigorous

· Customer focused

· Proactive mindset

· Ability to work under pressure

· Good interpersonal communication skills

Please get in touch with SFR Recruitment Solutions if you wish to learn more or apply for this position.

Vacancies

Technical Consultant – MR229

Sep 14, 2021 , , by sfrrecruitment

SFR Recruitment Solutions are recruiting for a Technical Consultant for a client who are a leading distributor of Security hardware products and locking solutions for both household, commercial and automotive.

Our client is looking to increase the team with hiring a Technical Consultant.

This role is to support a range of end user customers with technical queries and issues by phone, email and on site.

Previous experience within a Locksmith, bench locksmith or a maintenance position would ideal.

You will have bags of enthusiasm, drive, the right attitude and we can give you the locksmithing and product training required.

Our client offers a fantastic career which can be specialised, different every day, interesting and very rewarding!

If you are interested in this position, please contact SFR Recruitment Solutions.

matthew@sfrrecruitment.co.uk – www.sfrrecruitment.co.uk

Blog Post

Vacancies record high, candidates record low

Sep 5, 2021 , , , by sfrrecruitment

A buoyant UK job market creates a record number of vacancies – it’s in the news everywhere! But where are all the candidates? We hear from our clients and, also companies with their own recruitment teams who normally source direct, that they are really struggling to find quality candidates. They say “We’ve posted the role on Indeed and CV Library, we use to receive 20 plus applications before, and we’ve received only 5 – what is going on? Can you help us please find some quality candidates?”

At SFR Recruitment Solutions we’re hearing this a lot and, you know what, we’re experiencing this too. Candidates seem to be hiding in the sand and, for some reason, not as many people are actively seeking new roles, and are seemingly apathetic towards job change right now.  So, why are available candidates in such low supply at the moment? While the job market is overflowing with opportunity?

What is causing the hiatus in candidates’ job searches?

According to WaveTrackR, it has recorded a downward trajectory in applications in nearly every industry over the past couple of months and the average number of applications per job has been decreasing for 5 consecutive months. 

WaveTrackR explains that jobs are 235% above the 2020 monthly average and leading economists have revised their forecasts now predicting that the UK economy will recover by the end of 2021 – a full year earlier than originally anticipated. The market has picked up across most industries and business confidence is soaring but candidate confidence is not.

Many are hesitant to make a change job whilst there remains uncertainty in the market. There are a lot of ‘what ifs’ still, which is discouraging passive job seekers from considering a move to a new role. This really hits the nail on the head when it comes to explaining the general lull in available candidates – people are just not looking!

Where are all the candidates?

Factors driving job move uncertainty right now

There’s still market uncertainty due to covid – infection rates in the UK are soaring again which is a worry for most people as life returns to normal there is an undercurrent of uncertainty. Why throw the stress and uncertainty of a new job into the mix? There’s less need to earn more money – less desire to go on holiday abroad, to buy a new car etc.

More demands on parents at home – pressures of intermittent home-schooling due to periods of isolation associated with school bubbles, parents feel that they cannot rely on school for childcare and are still juggling work and childcare.  

Contentedness – the pandemic has encouraged employers to embrace homeworking; employees have proven their effectiveness at working remotely and most are happy for this to continue. Employees are enjoying a more relaxed and balanced work/home life. It’s a concern that a new job might not allow homeworking.

Loyalty – people feel more loyal towards their employers who supported them during the pandemic, allowed them to work from home and cope with the upheavals of covid life. How do they know a new employer would do the same?

Trapped by furlough – a selection of people is on furlough and are therefore unavailable.

Lack of overseas workers – 1.3 million overseas workers are estimated to have left the UK since the end of 2019

Early retirement – lots of people have chosen to take early retirement and have left the job market.

Industry side-stepping – a number of workers made redundant from industries, that were particularly hard hit by the pandemic, have found jobs in other industries leaving yawning gaps in the ones they left behind.

Retraining and upskilling – many workers who have re-assessed their lives and careers during the pandemic, have been furloughed or made redundant, or have made the decision to retrain. 

How to help regain candidate confidence

Naturally, the best available candidates who are looking for a new role will be drawn towards the best companies who have great reputations, brand recognition and goodwill.

Employers should work on their own PR in order to be seen as an attractive employer, with above average salaries, that has great promotion prospects, offers stable employment and great benefits, always winning new contracts, a friendly place to work that celebrates employees’ achievements, treats people well and has positive employee reviews. Ask yourself: why should people work for your company? What are the real incentives? There are websites where employees can see employers’ reviews such as Glass Door and magazines who rank companies (top 100) based on their financials.

Candidate confidence will be restored overtime. The advice we would give is to focus on being clear in your job advertisements and people specifications. Be very precise on the role and benefits you are offering, including the flexibility you are prepared to offer and your attitude towards home working which is seen as a big perk right now.  By considering homeworking employers are also able to cast their net a lot wider on a national scale capturing more talent.  Use a sector-based recruitment partner to help you find passive job seekers – more about this below.  At SFR we are trusted advisers that are keen to talk to industry talent about their specific career goals and aspirations, so we can carefully match them to future roles.

Why the best candidates aren’t even looking!

The best candidates are the passive job seekers, whom are not actively looking for a new role; they are waiting for the perfect opportunity, albeit unknowingly! These types work hard, earn their bonus, hit their targets, are doing really well in their role, feel respected and appreciated by their employers. It would take an exceptional opportunity to persuade them to consider a move.   

Because ‘passives’ instinctively know the companies they would like to work for but aren’t actively looking – they therefore need to be headhunted. The perfect opportunity needs to be presented to them, on a silver plate with fairy lights – flaunting an attractive opportunity that they simply can’t ignore! A good recruitment partner will take a comprehensive brief from their client and will use their networking skills to uncover the best talent and find the perfect match. Reputation is also important for recruiters in order to attract the best talent the recruiter needs to be well-respected, engender supportiveness during the process and follow ethical recruitment practices.

Finding candidates right now is not impossible, it just takes a lot longer and companies need to be proactive in attracting and finding the best talent.

How to get the most out of using a recruitment partner

At SFR as well as really knowing our sector, we also work closely with our clients, listening to them and taking down a precise brief. Getting the most out of a recruitment partner is all about 3 things:

Detail – make sure your recruitment partner has all the details of the type of person you are looking to attract, don’t be vague– be the opposite – the more thorough the better! Candidates are generally put off when there is an absence of a job description, but also consider if the job specification is too complicated, full of company jargon and excessive responsibilities that can put people off. Don’t forget to mention the benefits of working for your company!

Trust your recruitment partner – allow them to do their job. By using a recruitment partner, you can reach a pool of, otherwise, inaccessible (passive) talent. A good recruitment partner will know what questions to ask you in order to find perfect candidate(s). 

Period of exclusivity – it’s best to give your recruitment partner a period of time to work exclusively on finding you candidates for your role. Choose a partner who has sector experience, already has contacts and positive testimonials.  Going to more than one agency at a time can demonstrate that you’re not committed to the partnership and dilutes the effort; generally lowering the overall success rate.

Here at SFR Recruitment Solutions, we’re employment specialists for the Architectural Ironmongery, Doors, Access Control and Window & Door Hardware industries. If you are struggling to find candidates right now, why not reach out to us for advice? Similarly, if you are a passive job seeker that is looking for something ‘just right’ it’s worth registering your interest with us so we can be on the lookout for you. 

matthew@sfrrecruitment.co.uk  mobile 07512 602431  www.sfrrecruitment.co.uk 

SFR Recruitment Solutions