Background: an automotive equipment manufacturer wants to develop its own R&D centre and wishes to hire an expert who can lead innovation in the design of new equipment for driver comfort and ergonomics.
Recruitment challenges: the profiles that could achieve this differentiation are mainly in the health and medical devices sector, which is culturally very different from the automotive sector. The main difficulty is that the automotive sector struggles to attract talent in this area.
Added value provided by the firm/Skills used: we studied the market of companies with design laboratories in the health and sports equipment sectors, and had many conversations with specialists to improve the response rate. More than 150 profiles were approached. We produced a pitch on developing health R&D in the automotive sector to prompt reflection on the part of the candidates.
Result and profile recruited to the position of Comfort Expert: the candidate was a high-level athlete with a PhD in biomechanics and experience working in various sports shops and in a laboratory designing equipment for people with reduced mobility and severe disabilities. The candidate was capable of leading innovation in ergonomics using the science of physical activity and sports and human biomechanical technologies.