EXECUTIVE SEARCH | We lead the search process for a new Purchasing Department of an industrial multinational

At Saltor Talent we lead the search process for a Purchasing Director for the Spanish subsidiary of a large multinational in the industrial sector. From the global headquarter, they asked us to carry out a search, emphasizing the national market, but also identifying possible profiles located in other European countries with the will to relocate to Catalunya. 

1. What was the challenge?

The project presented a challenge for change. The client is a large multinational, at a time of important transformation.  Specifically, the direction of the global purchasing department had recently changed, and sought to print a new leadership style, as well as the transformation of the purchasing function at all levels (processes, digitalization, contribution of value to the business, etc.). 

The objective was to find a person with the capacity to understand the corporate vision, and transfer it to the Spanish subsidiary, in which there had been no major changes in recent years, and a moderate resistance to change was foreseeable. 

2. What did we do and how did we do it?

First, as usual, we carry out an exhaustive mapping of the market, identifying industrial companies of similar size and structure, both nationally and internationally. 

Our client operates in a complex industry, so the Purchasing Management in turn manages highly technical product and service categories, and it was necessary to focus our search on this type of profiles. 

Secondly, we interview all potential candidates, following an objective, rigorous and unbiased process, using our own evaluation methodology. 

Throughout the process, we maintained continuous and exhaustive communication with the Global Purchasing Management and the Talent Management, both people located in the Headquarter.

We presented our client with 4 candidates with a strong background in the function, with extensive knowledge of technical purchasing, and with experience in the transformation of departments. 

3. The final solution

After interviewing the external candidates presented by Saltor Talent, the client decided to move forward initially with 2 profiles as priorities due to their greater fit with the profile sought.

After several interviews and the comparison of the references taken by Saltor Talent, he joined one of them, who now occupies the position of Purchasing Director. 

In this project, the exhaustive identification of industrial companies with complex production processes was key, due to the technicality of the products and services managed from the Purchasing function, in addition to a constant and fluid dialogue with the corporate headquarter.