Securing turbo growth
How a Leading Energy Innovator established the basis for its procurement operations Team with Our Support.
When exponential growth meets global supply chain shortage, strategic solutions are crucial. For us at Steinkellner China Search, supporting a leading innovator in the sector of energy storage systems presented exactly this kind of high-intensity challenge.
A German pioneer in the energy transition was experiencing rapid growth, nearly doubling its annual revenue. While highly positive, this development placed enormous pressure on production, particularly on the supply chain. The situation was further aggravated by the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused severe disruptions in the supply of business-critical components. To overcome this bottleneck and secure a substantial sourcing volume, the company made a strategic decision to establish its own procurement team directly in China.
The challenge: At the time, the company had neither a subsidiary nor personnel in China. The assignment for us as Steinkellner China Search was therefore especially demanding – requiring not only the identification of a suitable senior professional as the first “key person”, but also the development of a practical employment model without a local infrastructure.
To effectively support our client’s “hyper-growth” scenario, our Shanghai-based team operated with maximum speed and precision from day one. Our in-depth understanding of the client’s needs enabled us to quickly identify relevant profiles with the right potential.
A key driver of both agility and cultural alignment was our proven two-stage model: Each candidate was jointly assessed by a senior Western and a senior Chinese recruiter, ensuring alignment with both the German headquarters’ expectations and local market realities. This dual-lens approach allowed us not only to identify the right talent, but also to guide the client on cultural and business specifics in China – crucial for defining the right role profile and conditions for their very “first key person on site”.
Since this was the client’s first employee in China, we provided end-to-end support, including guidance on employment modalities without local entity. To ensure long-term success beyond placement, we also introduced a monthly “OnBoarding Talk”, an early-warning system and trust-building mechanism during the critical ramp-up phase offering structure, continuity, and security for both sides.
Our approach proved highly effective in practice: The candidate ultimately hired was among the very first three profiles we presented. Remarkably, we were able to introduce this preferred candidate just one week after the formal contract was signed.
From project initiation to onboarding, the process took only six weeks – enabling an immediate start for the new Purchasing Manager. This pace was essential to meet the client’s strategic timeline. The newly appointed head of China procurement immediately began sourcing essential components locally, optimizing supply chains, and supporting the company’s continued rapid expansion.
Identifying and hiring the right talent was key to sustaining the client’s revenue growth. The positive feedback from our client’s CTO who expressed clear satisfaction with both the speed and quality of the outcome affirmed the impact of our work.
“The intensive consultation from start to finish was very important to me. Not everyone can do that. I was also surprised by the speed with which we found the right candidate.”
Hans-Joachim H., CFO
- Rapid alignment with client needs: Our ability to quickly interpret requirements and present hand-selected, precisely fitting candidates.
- Strategic and cultural advisory: We provided essential guidance on China-specific business and cultural dynamics, supporting role definition and employment structuring, especially when building an initial presence on-site.
- Integrated recruitment approach: Our proven two-stage model, combining Western and Chinese recruiters, ensured strong alignment between the client’s corporate values and local realities.
- Sustainable onboarding support: With tools like the “OnBoarding Talk,” we actively facilitate smooth integration and long-term collaboration – emphasizing our role as a strategic and sustainable partner.
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.