Case Study

Building a senior enterprise sales team for iBASEt

Senior Enterprise SalesSales LeadershipPre-Sales
Days to Fill
Under 42 days
Candidates Shortlisted
200
Roles Filled
3

Recruiting MES enterprise sales talent for A&D requires mapping the complete MES, PLM, and ERP landscape to find candidates with both domain credibility and consultative selling ability. MITREC delivered multiple A+ hires for iBASEt within 42 days by screening 200+ candidates on deal complexity, sector fit, and cultural alignment.

Challenge
Solution
Results
The Challenge

iBASEt had built a dominant position in MES/MOM for Aerospace and Defence, but needed to scale its US sales organisation to match growing demand. The company required elite enterprise sales talent capable of navigating complex, multi-stakeholder deal cycles worth seven figures or more. Previous hiring efforts through generalist recruiters had delivered candidates who looked strong on paper but lacked the specific combination of MES domain knowledge, defence sector credibility, and consultative selling ability that these roles demanded.

MITREC was retained to identify and deliver senior enterprise software sales professionals with direct experience selling MES, MOM, or adjacent solutions into Aerospace and Defence manufacturers. The brief was precise: candidates needed a track record of closing complex, long-cycle deals with C-suite and VP-level buyers, alongside deep understanding of regulated manufacturing environments. iBASEt needed people who could articulate technical value in business terms and build trust with engineering leaders and procurement teams alike.

The Solution

We executed a retained, research-led search across the MES, PLM, and ERP landscape, mapping every credible enterprise sales professional with relevant A&D experience in the United States. Our research team built a longlist of over 200 candidates, then applied rigorous screening criteria covering deal complexity, sector fit, and cultural alignment. We conducted in-depth interviews with each shortlisted candidate, probing not just their track record but their understanding of iBASEt's specific competitive landscape and buyer personas. The entire process was completed within six weeks from mandate to shortlist presentation.

The Results

We presented a shortlist of exceptional candidates, each of whom met or exceeded every requirement in the brief. The calibre was so high that iBASEt's biggest challenge was choosing between them. Multiple hires were made from the search, each going on to contribute significantly to pipeline growth and deal closure rates. The relationship has since expanded into a retained partnership covering multiple sales and leadership searches across the organisation.

MITREC understood exactly what we needed. They didn't just find us salespeople; they found sales leaders who genuinely understood MES, could articulate value to engineering and executive buyers, and had the persistence to win complex A&D deals. The calibre of candidates was outstanding.

SM
Steve Modrall
CRO, iBASEt

Frequently asked questions

What made this iBASEt search different from a typical sales recruitment?

+
This was not a generalist sales hire. The role demanded deep domain expertise in MES and MOM software, combined with the ability to sell complex enterprise solutions into highly regulated Aerospace and Defence environments. Generalist recruiters consistently failed to deliver candidates with this combination, which is precisely why iBASEt engaged MITREC.

How long did it take to deliver the shortlist?

+
We delivered the final shortlist within six weeks of the retained mandate being signed. Our existing research database of MES and manufacturing technology professionals gave us a significant head start, allowing us to move directly into targeted outreach rather than starting from scratch.

How many candidates were mapped during the search?

+
Our research team identified and mapped over 200 enterprise sales professionals with relevant MES, PLM, or ERP experience in the A&D sector. From this longlist, we conducted detailed screening calls with approximately 40 candidates before presenting a focused shortlist of the strongest fits.

Why did iBASEt choose MITREC over other search firms?

+
iBASEt had previously worked with generalist technology recruiters who consistently delivered candidates lacking the specific MES domain knowledge required. MITREC was selected because of our exclusive focus on MES and smart manufacturing, our existing candidate network in this space, and our track record of placing similar roles for other MES vendors.

Were all hires successful long-term?

+
Yes. Each candidate placed through this engagement remained in role and contributed meaningfully to iBASEt's revenue growth. The quality of the shortlist meant that iBASEt had genuine choice between multiple outstanding candidates, reducing the risk of a poor fit.

Has MITREC continued to work with iBASEt?

+
Absolutely. What began as a single sales search has evolved into a retained partnership. MITREC has since been engaged for multiple additional searches spanning sales leadership, technical pre-sales, and product management roles across the iBASEt organisation.

Ready to make your next critical hire?

Start a SearchI'm a Candidate