Understanding the Challenge
The Wakefield-based food manufacturer was experiencing difficulties in sourcing suitable candidates for their bakehouse positions. They faced high staff turnover and were unable to build a stable, reliable team. The roles required specific physical capabilities and resilience, which made finding the right candidates particularly challenging.
Our Approach
To effectively meet the client’s needs, we adopted a practical and tailored recruitment strategy. We focused on sourcing individuals with prior bakehouse experience or those accustomed to physically demanding, repetitive tasks.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the roles, the Aqumen Consultant personally toured the bakehouse to observe the working environment and job responsibilities. This insight allowed us to provide accurate, realistic previews of the role to candidates.
Furthermore, we implemented a candidate engagement process that included a full site tour prior to induction. This gave potential hires the opportunity to assess the role visually and consider whether it was the right fit for them before committing. Candidates who felt confident about the role were then invited to the official induction process.
The Outcome
As a result of our targeted recruitment efforts, the client now has a strong, well-balanced bakehouse team comprising both male and female employees. The quality of the candidates has significantly improved, with many showing strong commitment and a desire to stay long-term—largely due to the realistic job previews and supportive onboarding process.
Client Feedback
“The Aqumen Consultant has joined Aqumen as our Account Manager during our busiest period yet. Their dedication and support have been invaluable, especially in guiding our temporary workers through a recent business transition. The Aqumen Consultant’s ‘can do’ attitude, friendly demeanour, and knack for identifying top-notch candidates make them a true asset.”
Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned
This case highlights the importance of fully understanding the client’s working environment before initiating candidate sourcing. A walk-through of the site and gathering detailed information about the role enables recruiters to better screen candidates, manage expectations, and provide accurate insights—leading to better candidate-job alignment and improved retention.