Head of Recruitment – Engineering / Manufacturing Recruitment

Michelle Waterworth Recruitment; Chesterfield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car or car allowance

Pension

Private healthcare

Bonus

Job summary

Michelle Waterworth Recruitment is seeking a Head of Recruitment / Recruitment Director to lead engineering, manufacturing and technical recruitment across the UK. You will shape strategy, develop teams and partner with the CEO to drive growth and high-performing delivery.

This senior, non-billing role offers a hybrid/remote working pattern, a competitive salary (£40k-£60k), a company car or car allowance, bonus and comprehensive benefits, plus scope to influence future directions.

Qualifications

• Previous recruitment management experience within a recruitment agency environment is essential.
• Experience managing teams within Engineering, Manufacturing, Technical, Pharmaceutical, FMCG, Professional Services or Executive Search recruitment would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of recruitment agency operations, sales recruitment, business development, consultant performance management and the full recruitment lifecycle.
• Strong fee-earning background and mentoring/training/leading other recruitment professionals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of recruitment teams and performance targets.
• Mentor Recruitment Consultants and implement training programmes.
• Manage permanent, temporary, contract, interim and executive search assignments.
• Work with CEO/MD on strategic planning and growth.
• Develop recruitment processes and high-performing environment.

Skills

Recruitment management

Team leadership

Business development

Strategic planning

Job description

Head of Recruitment – Engineering / Manufacturing Recruitment

Location: South Yorkshire – Flexible Hybrid Working / Remote Options

Salary: £40,000 – £60,000 Basic Depending on Experience + Car Allowance / Company Car + Bonus + Benefits

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Sector: Engineering, Manufacturing, Technical, Pharmaceutical, FMCG and Professional Recruitment

The Company

An established, privately owned recruitment business specialising in Engineering, Manufacturing, Technical, Pharmaceutical, FMCG and Professional Services recruitment.

The business delivers permanent, temporary, interim, retained and executive search recruitment solutions to clients across the UK and international markets.

The Role – Head of Recruitment / Recruitment Director

Due to continued growth and ambitious expansion plans, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Recruitment, Recruitment Director or Recruitment Manager to join the senior leadership team and take responsibility for the development and performance of the recruitment operation.

This is a key senior appointment offering the opportunity to work directly with the CEO/Managing Director, influence business strategy and play a significant role in the future growth of the company.

The business has an established client base, a strong reputation and a supportive, privately owned culture, with an emphasis on employee development, flexibility and long-term career opportunities.

This is a non-billing senior management position responsible for overseeing, managing and developing the recruitment teams across the business.

You will take ownership of the day-to-day recruitment operation, managing an existing team of Recruitment Consultants while supporting the recruitment, training and development of additional consultants as the business expands.

Working closely with the CEO/Managing Director, you will be responsible for improving team performance, developing recruitment processes, implementing structured sales training and creating a high-performing recruitment environment.

The position will suit an experienced Recruitment Manager, Head of Recruitment or Recruitment Director who enjoys developing people, improving performance and building successful recruitment teams.

You will have the autonomy to introduce new ideas, develop training programmes and implement management strategies to support the company's continued growth across Engineering, Manufacturing and Technical recruitment markets.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for the overall management and development of the recruitment teams, ensuring consultants receive the training, support and leadership required to achieve their individual and collective targets.

This will include managing and mentoring Recruitment Consultants, implementing structured recruitment and sales training programmes, developing individual career plans and conducting regular performance reviews.

You will oversee recruitment activity across permanent, temporary, contract, interim and executive search assignments, ensuring the business maintains high standards of client and candidate service.

A key part of the role will be identifying opportunities to improve business performance, developing recruitment processes, supporting new team growth and ensuring the company has the right people, structure and training in place to achieve its expansion plans.

You will work in close partnership with the CEO/Managing Director, contributing to strategic business planning, recruitment growth, team structure and operational development.

Experience Required

Previous recruitment management experience within a recruitment agency environment is essential.

We are interested in speaking with experienced Recruitment Managers, Head of Recruitment professionals, Recruitment Directors, Associate Directors, Senior Branch Managers, Business Managers and Recruitment Operations Managers.

We would also consider an established Senior Recruitment Consultant or Principal Recruitment Consultant with a strong fee-earning background and demonstrable experience mentoring, training or leading other recruitment professionals.

You must have a strong understanding of recruitment agency operations, sales recruitment, business development, consultant performance management and the full recruitment lifecycle.

Experience managing teams within Engineering, Manufacturing, Technical, Pharmaceutical, FMCG, Professional Services or Executive Search recruitment would be advantageous.

You should be commercially minded, confident managing people and capable of developing a successful recruitment team while working alongside senior business leaders.

Salary & Benefits

The package includes a competitive basic salary of £40,000 to £60,000 depending on experience, alongside a company car or car allowance, performance-related bonus, pension and family healthcare benefits.

Flexible working arrangements are available, including hybrid and remote working options.

You will also benefit from the opportunity to join a privately owned recruitment business with an established client base, a supportive management team and genuine opportunities to influence the future direction of the company.

Location & Flexible Working

The position is Midlands / South Yorkshire based, with flexible hybrid working arrangements available.

The role will involve a combination of office-based and remote working, with flexibility around working hours and diary management.

Candidates must be comfortable travelling to the office and supporting the wider recruitment operation as required. Remote working arrangements may be considered for the right candidate, subject to business requirements and regular attendance at the South Yorkshire office.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity would suit an experienced Recruitment Manager, Recruitment Director, Head of Recruitment or Senior Branch Manager looking to take the next step in their career.

It would also appeal to an established recruitment professional who wants to move away from individual billing responsibilities and focus on leadership, training, team development and operational management.

If you have a proven background in recruitment agency management and enjoy building successful teams, developing people and driving business growth, this could be an excellent next career move.

Please note: Previous experience within a fee-earning recruitment agency environment and demonstrable recruitment leadership or management experience are essential.