CASE STUDY 
Plant Director 

Brief

Our client, a leading Tier 1 automotive components manufacturer with a critical site in Poland, was in need of a General Manager (GM) to steer the plant back to full operational efficiency. The facility, which had experienced several challenges, required a strong leader with the ability to realign production, motivate teams, and take on significant responsibility due to the decentralized nature of the site. This meant that the new GM would need to manage a wide scope of responsibilities, with limited direct oversight from the corporate group but substantial operational autonomy. Time was of the essence, as the site was underperforming, and the client needed someone who could drive immediate improvements.

​

Our Process

We launched a focused search to identify high-caliber candidates with a proven track record of turning around underperforming sites and leading teams in complex, high-pressure environments. The search was tailored to candidates with:

​

• Extensive experience in automotive component manufacturing with a deep understanding of operational excellence and production optimization.

• The leadership skills to inspire and unify teams that had previously struggled with low morale and operational inefficiencies.

• The capacity to work with minimal direct oversight from the corporate group, taking full ownership of the plant’s financial and operational performance.

​

Within just two weeks, we supplied five market-leading profiles, all of whom were award-winning or industry-recognized professionals with significant leadership experience. These candidates were carefully selected for their ability to handle the demands of a decentralized site, requiring a GM who could take on significant responsibility while driving the plant towards optimal performance.

​

Challenges

One of the primary challenges was the scope of responsibility involved in managing this decentralized plant. The GM would be required to make critical decisions autonomously, with limited day-to-day input from the corporate group. This meant the successful candidate needed not only the technical expertise to manage production but also the leadership acumen to drive strategic initiatives and foster a high-performance culture.

​

Additionally, the client had been experiencing operational inefficiencies at the plant, which required the new GM to implement immediate improvements in productivity, cost control, and employee engagement. The urgency of the hire further complicated the search, as the client needed a strong leader to take charge as soon as possible.

​

Result

Within two weeks, we provided a shortlist of five exceptional candidates, each of whom had demonstrated excellence in leading high-pressure manufacturing operations. Two of these candidates were shortlisted for final stages of interviews, with one progressing to the point of an offer. The client had the opportunity to choose between two award-winning industry leaders, ensuring they could select the candidate they believed to be the best cultural and operational fit for their plant.

​

By delivering top-tier talent in record time, we helped the client regain control of the underperforming site and positioned them to implement the critical changes necessary to restore the plant to full efficiency. The process underscored our ability to rapidly deliver market-leading talent for high-stakes leadership roles.

​