When it comes to finding the right candidates for procurement roles, working with a professional recruitment agency can be a valuable asset.
However, it’s important to choose the right agency to partner with to ensure a successful hiring campaign.
Before making a decision, it’s crucial to ask the right questions to determine if the agency is the right fit for your company’s needs.
So, we’ve put together 10 questions to ask before partnering with a procurement recruitment agency.
What is your area of expertise?
Not all recruitment agencies have experience in the procurement field.
Ensure the agency you partner with specialises in procurement and has a track record of successfully placing candidates in similar roles to the one you are looking to hire.
How do you source candidates?
Understand the methods the agency uses to source candidates.
A good agency should have a diverse range of methods to find the best candidates, such as using specialist job boards like Supply Chain Online, LinkedIn, and well-nurtured networks.
Furthermore, the best recruitment agencies will have clear Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policies to enable them to attract diverse candidate pools, so it is important to ask about the agency’s commitment to ED&I.
You can read about Procurement Heads’ ED&I statement and commitments here.
How do you vet candidates?
Vetting is a critical step in the recruitment process, and it’s essential to know how the agency performs this task.
Ask about their screening process, including background checks, reference checks, and skill assessments.
What is your success rate?
At Procurement Heads, we’re proud of our ability to fill permanent and interim procurement roles.
When considering which agency to partner with, ask the agency about its success rate in placing candidates in procurement roles.
A good agency should have a high placement rate and be able to provide references from satisfied clients.
What is your fee structure?
Understand the agency’s fee structure, including any upfront costs, retainer fees, and percentage of the candidate’s salary.
Make sure the fee structure is transparent.
Can you provide case studies?
Ask the agency to provide case studies of similar procurement roles they have successfully filled.
This will give you an idea of the types of candidates they have placed and the results they have achieved.
What is your communication process like?
Good communication is key to a successful partnership.
Ask the agency about their communication process and how they keep you informed throughout the recruitment process.
Can you provide a guarantee?
A good agency should have confidence in its ability to find the right candidate for your company.
Ask about their guarantee policy and what it covers.
How do you handle disputes?
In the unlikely event of a dispute, it’s important to know how the agency will handle it.
Ask about their dispute resolution process and what steps they take to resolve any issues.
What is your approach to candidate retention?
At Procurement Heads, we are proud of our 92% retention rate.
When discussing options with a potential recruitment partner, ensure the agency has a strategy in place to retain candidates.
Ask about their follow-up process and what they do to ensure the candidate is a good fit for your company and the role.
Partnering with a procurement recruitment agency can be an asset for your company.
However, it’s important to choose the right agency by asking the right questions.
Make sure the agency has a strong track record, a diverse range of sourcing methods, a robust vetting process, a transparent fee structure, and a commitment to candidate retention.
By asking these questions, you can find the right agency to help you find the best procurement talent for your company.
Procurement Heads specialise in recruiting senior procurement professionals into permanent and interim roles using a flexible and innovative approach, priding ourselves on sourcing the best talent possible.
Click here to register your role with Procurement Heads.
