Focus on flexibility

Selbstbewusster chinesischer Geschäftsmann mit Auto im Hintergrund

Successful recruitment of a plant manager for an automotive supplier despite multiple changes in requirements

In dynamic markets like China, adaptability and precision in executive search are essential. For us at Steinkellner China Search, the assignment to find new plant leadership for one of the Chinese facilities of a global automotive supplier was a prime example of our capability to provide best-fit solutions despite continuously evolving parameters. This success story illustrates how we identified the ideal candidate and secured continuity at a critical production site – even as key requirements shifted significantly, including the nationality of the candidate and the potential work location.

A leading global automotive supplier operates six manufacturing facilities across China. At one of these sites, located in a relatively remote region of Jiangyin, the company was confronted with the need to appoint a new plant manager following the retirement of the long-serving incumbent.
The assignement was clearly defined: to identify a seasoned executive with deep expertise in the production of commercial vehicle seating systems and the associated specialized manufacturing processes. In addition to professional excellence and strong leadership experience, the role also required alignment with the client’s salary structure.

From the outset, the recruitment of this plant manager was marked by high complexity and evolving requirements. The initial focus of the search was on identifying a European executive. However, as the project progressed, the emphasis shifted toward local Chinese leadership. At the same time, a potential relocation of the entire plant, implying a change in work location, was repeatedly considered. For us at Steinkellner China Search, required us to demonstrate maximum flexibility and agility throughout the process.

We continuously adapted our search strategy to reflect the shifting parameters and successfully identified and presented qualified leadership candidates for each scenario. A further critical element was our effective coordination of the multiple internal stakeholders and decision-makers on the client side. Due to effective communication and structured alignment, we were able to develop a viable solution for the client’s broader organization in China, despite the complexity of internal dynamics.

Despite multiple substantial changes to the requirement profile throughout the project, we successfully completed the assignment and secured the ideal candidate for the plant management position. The Chinese plant manager we identified and placed turned out to be a “Perfect Match” for this demanding role. With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the manufacturing of precisely the same product, seating systems for the commercial vehicle industry, he offered the deep technical and process expertise required to seamlessly integrate into the organization and initiate improvements without delay. Our team’s ability to respond with agility to evolving client needs and find highly qualified candidates across all potential scenarios proved to be a decisive success factor in this complex and dynamic mandate.

Steinkellner China Search helped us find a plant manager for our factory near Wuxi under difficult conditions. Although the requirement profile changed several times, Manfred Steinkellner and his team reacted quickly and presented us with very good candidates corresponding to the requirement profile. 9 months after recruitment, I can say that I am very satisfied with the choice and performance of the candidate.

Ulrich S., Vice President BU

  • Agile and flexible project management: Our ability to stay focused and effectively realign the process in response to evolving requirements and shifting priorities.
  • Sector-specific expertise: Our specialized knowledge in the automotive supplier industry and the production of commercial vehicle components, which enabled the identification of a talent with highly specialized, relevant product knowledge.
  • Effective stakeholder management: Our strength in managing complex internal dynamics and aligning diverse decision-makers behind a shared, high-impact hiring solution.
  • Talent access across cultures: Our proven network and dual-track search methodology allow the identification of exceptional candidates for both European and Chinese leadership roles.

Your success story could be next

These success stories confirm: With the right partner at your side and a proven method in place, even the most complex challenges in China can be managed successfully.
If you are ready to set the course for sustainable success, let’s connect.