Date: February 7, 2025

Navigating a multi-staged interview process and complex sourcing challenges to source a senior executive.

Background

The client is a provider of operating systems technologies focusing on software for smartphone, automotive and IoT products with an expanding global footprint and multiple R&D centres around the world. The sourcing of a Senior Executive was part of stage 1 of the client’s strategy to expand their European footprint. They approached Indotronix Avani UK and worked closely with our account manager to source a senior, executive-level candidate to build a new R&D Centre of Competence in Romania.

The account manager worked closely with the client through a multi-staged interview process that spanned several months. They were also supported by nearly a decade of their own experience in automotive recruitment. Their focus on quality and client/candidate support, across all global markets was integral to the resounding success of this complex project.

Challenges

• Unclear Final Project Location: When the client engaged Indotronix, they were still in the process of determining the ideal location for the R&D centre that the Senior Executive would ultimately lead. Locations near the European headquarters of the client (Germany) and other lower-cost European locations were being compared. Therefore, the client requested candidate representation from across Europe.
• Scheduling Complications: In the later stages of the interview process, the General Manager personally conducted interviews with selected candidates in their respective countries, leading to significant scheduling challenges and delays. These challenges were ultimately overcome through strategic planning and adaptability.
• Project Scale: The client worked closely with our account manager through the course of this international placement. This involved the Heads of HR from Europe and China as well as the General Manager of Europe. The project was delayed due to scheduling conflicts, international travel, and executive leadership involvement at various stages

Approach:

• Automotive Recruitment Experienced Account Manager: The project benefited from the oversight of an account manager with extensive industry experience having started specialising in automotive recruitment nearly a decade ago. Their primary focus is on (Embedded) Software, Electronics and hardware development with a focus on ADAS/AD, eMobility and the infotainment space.
• LinkedIn Outreach: The Account Manager leveraged their extensive executive leadership network and connections to drive direct conversations about the role and company, supported by LinkedIn Recruiter and InMail outreach.
• Multi-Staged Interview Process: As seen in Figure 1, the hiring process took place over several months and multiple stages. Of the hundreds of candidates initially screened, a few were picked to then go through rounds of interviews with the client’s HR representatives, General Managers and finally the executive team from China before an offer was extended and accepted.

Hiring Timeline

• International Candidate Representation: As the final location of the project was initially undetermined, the account manager screened candidates from multiple European locations. Ultimately, they introduced the client to 14 senior director and vice president candidates from across Germany, Romania, Poland, Sweden, Italy and Hungary.
• Maintaining Candidate Trust & Interest: The Account manager maintained constant communication with the candidates and kept their interest and maintained their trust throughout the hiring process. This was particularly important to retain the interest of senior executive-level clients. Our account manager’s attention to client-candidate relations is evidenced by the testimonial that the candidate has given as seen in Figure 2.

Candidate Testimonial

Results:

• Hired a Senior Executive Leader who has begun to set up an R&D Centre of Competence in Bucharest, Romania.
• Has successfully expanded the team and continues to work with Indotronix Avani UK to hire specialists as the team grows, with ongoing support from the client’s German HQ.

Conclusion:

The success of this project was largely guided by the initiative, resolve and experience of the account manager who worked closely with the client and the candidate to ensure that both parties were accurately represented through negotiations. The account manager and candidate remain in constant contact, discussing topics related to the client’s growth and project pipelines.