Professional and Middle Management Recruitment
Search for a Senior SWIFT Alliance Access Administrator for a major bank in Moscow
Search for a Grain and Flour Supplier Development Manager
A major food producer in Moscow is forming a new raw material supplier development department. We were tasked with finding 2 specialists: one for flavors, another for grain and flour. The role combines the responsibilities of a technologist and R&D: conducting supplier audits, interacting with the procurement department. Confident conversational English is required for communication with suppliers, as well as 30-40% travel across Central Russia — from elevators in the Yaroslavl region to flour mills in the Tula region.
Challenges
A new role at the intersection of functions: technologist, R&D, with the task of conducting audits and cross-functional interaction with the procurement department.
A mandatory requirement for confident conversational English for working with raw material suppliers. Grain and flour technologists generally do not speak English, as they work with local suppliers.
The position involves 30-40% travel within central Russia.
The search is being conducted in parallel with the client and another recruitment agency.
Offer rejection for the flavors position — the candidate expected a higher salary and rejected the offer a second time after a salary increase. The salary range for flavors was closed by a competitor.
Change of search profile for the grain category after a candidate passed the final stage. The new search requires niche experience in the primary stage of grain processing into derivatives.
Solution
We held regular discussions with the client: analyzed market feedback, adjusted the profile. For the grain position, we lowered the English requirements, focusing on expertise. We compiled a list of 20 target companies — flour mills such as "Sokolovsky" and "Prodimex", plus regional ones in the Central Federal District. We developed contacts through HR, social networks, and direct calls.
Conducted 2 meetings with the hiring manager. Discussed the profile details: a specialist with hands-on experience in grain processing, production audits, and coordination with procurement.
Result
For the grain position, we presented a candidate from a regional flour mill. He oversaw primary processing: grain intake, cleaning, drying, milling. He passed the client's audit, confirmed his expertise. Received an offer of 75,000 rubles gross above expectations and accepted it.
