The Anatomy of a Precision Search Campaign in Smart Manufacturing
Daniel Langley, Founder·4 March 2026The Client Challenge
A global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation needed to establish a Lead MES Engineer in Europe. This role was critical , a "player-coach" responsible for:
- Delivering high-value MES projects across Europe
- Mentoring junior engineers to grow a newly forming team
- Acting as a trusted advisor to clients on MES design, integration, and delivery
- Laying the foundation for a scalable European MES practice
The brief was ambitious: find a senior leader with both deep MES expertise and leadership skills in one of Europe's toughest hiring markets.
Our Retained Search Approach
We deployed our proven retained search methodology , designed for rigor, precision, and long-term success.
- 1. Kickoff Alignment
- 2. Rigorous & Robust Headhunting
- 3. Candidate Qualification
- 4. Weekly Steering Meetings
The Results
- 176 candidates identified → narrowed to 6 candidates presented.
- 100% interview selection rate → all 6 were invited to client interviews.
- 2 hires made from 1 mandate → such was the strength of the shortlist, the client doubled the outcome, hiring not one but two key MES professionals.
Client Outcomes
- Secured a Lead MES Engineer to spearhead delivery and mentorship.
- Added a second MES professional, accelerating European team growth.
- Established a blueprint for future leadership hiring using our retained search method.
- Achieved speed, precision, and quality far above industry averages , ensuring the client's MES practice could scale rapidly and deliver globally.
Client Feedback (Ty Rinholm)
"Both the overall candidates you found and the ones you narrowed down were very strong in quality and quantity. The shortlist was exactly in line with our expectations , which is rare. You did a very good job, and the communication throughout the process, especially the kickoff and weekly discussions, made the search smooth and effective."
MITREC Key Takeaway
Our retained search methodology , combining structured kickoff alignment, rigorous headhunting, and weekly steering meetings , delivered more than just a successful hire.
It built the foundation of a European MES team, doubled the client's initial ambition, and positioned them to lead digital manufacturing transformation across industries and geographies.
If you had to fill a critical MES leadership role tomorrow, would your current hiring process give you six perfectly aligned candidates , or would you be left scrambling?
