Case Study: Building a high-performing QA team in a remote location

A niche pharmaceutical company operating in a remote area of the UK underwent significant changes following a recent acquisition. As part of a vital initiative designed to tackle compliance challenges that had to be addressed prior to pursuing GMP accreditation, our project was dedicated to resolving these compliance issues by bringing in the right hires to strengthen their quality assurance team.

Key stats

• 24 CVs submitted within three weeks

• 6 interviews conducted

• 10 successful placements

The situation

As part of their remediation project, they identified several critical gaps in expertise and infrastructure. To address this, the company planned to hire a team of 15 Quality Assurance (QA) consultants with varied levels of experience and responsibilities..

The positions demanded candidates to work on-site five days a week, with some required to cover night shifts and weekend operations due to the company’s 24/7 manufacturing schedule. Additionally, their reliance on a paper-based Quality Management System (QMS) presented further challenges. Despite engaging another agency weeks earlier, they had only managed to secure one suitable candidate and were struggling to gain momentum.

The Hobson Prior solution

Recognising the urgency and complexity of the situation, our team embedded a dedicated recruitment consultant within the company’s project team. We conducted monthly on-site visits and participated in key hiring meetings to stay aligned with the client’s needs.

Our lead consultant developed a detailed recruitment strategy that outlined timelines, hiring triggers, and the specific qualifications required for each role. To begin, we tapped into our extensive consultant network, conducting thorough qualification calls to assess candidates’ expertise, experience, and willingness to work in a remote location under demanding conditions.

Once we had maximised our existing network, we expanded our efforts by headhunting and building new connections through referrals. Starting with candidates located within a commutable distance, we gradually widened the search radius to ensure a robust pipeline of talent.

The results

Despite being two to three weeks behind the competition, our tailored approach delivered impressive results. Within 24 hours of the initial briefing, we submitted five detailed applications. Four candidates were interviewed, three of whom were hired. Over the next three weeks, we submitted an additional 19 CVs, leading to 12 interviews and seven more hires. In total, we placed 10 of the 15 QA consultants required for the project, achieving a CV-to-placement ratio of 2.4:1 and a CV-to-interview ratio of 1.5:1.

Ensuring client success

Our proactive and strategic recruitment efforts enabled the client to address their skill gaps efficiently, ensuring the smooth progression of their remediation project. The successful delivery of this project underscored our ability to navigate challenging scenarios and secure top-tier talent even under tight timelines.

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