automotive giant supercharges recruitment with RPO.
trucks division for an automotive giant overcomes challenges of filling specialty skills that are key to powering EV market growth
industry
automotive manufacturingchallenges
The company needed to attract and hire key talent who can fulfill its ambition to be a leader in the EV revolution.solution
The company implemented a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) program to achieve specialty hiring and placement needs.key results
The company achieved a 100% fill rate (607 engineering professionals ranging from professional to director level) through a full recruitment process redesign.
the challenge
An instantly recognizable automotive consumer brand is in the midst of transforming its business model. With ambitions to be a leader in the electrical vehicle (EV) segment, the company is betting heavily on the transition to cleaner energy transportation with robust investments in people, technology and processes. This bold vision, however, faces a significant hurdle: acquiring the specialized skills needed to become the innovative trailblazer it aspires to be.
The path the company has set forth is indeed promising. According to the IEA, EV adoption continues to set sales records year after year, and with some markets mandating a transition away from internal combustion engines, demand is likely to continue. However, growth also faces significant talent hurdles as new and specialized skills are needed to accelerate the transition. For the trucks division of this automotive manufacturer, this challenge was readily apparent: Attracting and acquiring the right talent proved to be a monumental task, one that the company realized required external support. Based on a history of successful collaborations with Randstad, in 2022, the company turned to its strategic partner to implement a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solution.
the solution
The decision to leverage an external solution was strategically focused. To stay ahead of the industry's rapid adoption and commercialization of EV technology, the organization needed to build its team quickly and effectively. Moreover, it required the expertise of a partner with decades of automotive expertise and collaboration. Finally, it was important for the provider to develop a solution that could be seamlessly integrated into the company’s existing talent acquisition function.
To meet all of these requirements, Randstad Sourceright, a part of Randstad Enterprise, tailored a solution that was embedded on-site at the company’s headquarters. This integration greatly enhanced the automaker’s in-house talent acquisition team by providing expert resources with deep market insights and backed by innovative technologies that enhance access to talent. From this robust foundation, the company successfully filled all 607 engineering professionals at various job grades within its desired time frame.
The embedded RPO team collaborated closely with the automotive manufacturer’s HR department to redesign and optimize existing recruitment processes. This involved a thorough assessment of current workflows, identification of bottlenecks and adoption of best-in-class sourcing strategies, candidate assessment techniques and employer branding initiatives. The introduction of advanced recruitment technologies and data-driven analytics provided the client with enhanced visibility of talent pipelines and improved forecasting.
Functioning as an extension of the client's internal HR function, the RPO team developed a deep understanding of the company culture, strategic objectives and specific talent requirements for each role. This close collaboration fostered trust and ensured a seamless alignment of the RPO service delivery with the client's broader business goals.
the results
Beyond meeting the company’s hiring goals, the solution also served as a foundation for its recruitment process moving forward. Through the partnership, the company achieved:
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A perfect score: A 100% fill rate for 607 engineering roles, spanning from early-career professionals to experienced directors. The broad array of specialty skills added during this time ensured the company could continue along its business trajectory and stay ahead of competitors in a rapidly advancing EV market.
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Reimagined recruitment: Built on best-in-class methodologies, AI-empowered technologies and data-driven insights, this transformed recruitment process creates a more efficient, agile and candidate-centric experience.
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Enhanced access to specialty skills: Securing the specialized engineering talent was the initial goal of the RPO engagement, but in achieving this goal, the automotive manufacturer also transformed the way it will attract and acquire in-demand skills in the future. The solution serves as a road map for the company’s internal recruiters to deliver excellent results long-term.
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The strategic partnership between the automotive giant and Randstad Sourceright yields significant and ongoing benefits as the employer accelerates its market presence in electrified freight transportation. Not only are specialized automotive engineering skills hard to come by, rapid growth of the industry means competition for the finite talent pool is intensifying. So beyond achieving its stated goal at the outset of the RPO implementation, the lasting transformation that resulted ensures the company is well positioned to be a preferred employer over established and new competition in the EV market.