More Than Recruitment — Building a Scalable Hiring Infrastructure
A large FMCG food manufacturer approached Pioneer Selection as an existing PSL partner with a challenge that extended far beyond traditional recruitment support.
The business needed to hire 50 permanent and contract employees for a single site in Newcastle, while also improving recruitment visibility, streamlining processes and implementing a fully bespoke ATS system.
Managing multiple agencies, inconsistent processes and growing hiring demands had created pressure internally — and the client needed a long-term recruitment solution, not simply additional CVs.
Creating a Bespoke Recruitment Partnership
Working closely with the client’s leadership and internal talent teams, Pioneer Selection designed and implemented a fully integrated recruitment service tailored to the business’s operational needs.
The solution combined the flexibility and control of an RPO model with the specialist market expertise of a dedicated PSL partnership.
Partnering with a select group of niche recruitment providers, we created a fully aligned supply chain built around shared delivery standards, accountability and communication.
At the centre of the project was a jointly managed governance structure, giving the client greater visibility, consistency and control across every stage of the recruitment process.
Implementing Systems, Structure and Scalability
Beyond hiring delivery, the project focused heavily on long-term process improvement.
Within just 12 weeks, the partnership successfully implemented:
- A bespoke ATS system
- Defined SLAs and KPI frameworks
- A dedicated recruitment delivery function
- Streamlined recruitment workflows
- Enhanced reporting and hiring visibility
The new model also strengthened the client’s internal capability by effectively absorbing the cost of two internal talent acquisition headcounts.
Measurable Results Across Recruitment Performance
The partnership delivered significant operational and financial improvements:
- 18% cost savings across recruitment activity
- 18% reduction in time-to-hire
- 92% CV-to-interview ratio
- 99% contractor retention through end of assignment
Most importantly, the client gained a scalable recruitment infrastructure capable of supporting future growth across both permanent and contract hiring.
A Recruitment Partner Embedded in the Business
“We knew partnering with Pioneer Selection was the right fit for our business, having worked with them before. Specialist hiring needs require a specialist approach and commitment from recruitment companies. To have implemented processes, an ATS system, SLAs, KPIs and a full delivery team in just 12 weeks is phenomenal. The service I receive from Pioneer hits the mark every time, giving me the certainty that I can meet business and resourcing objectives. I can rely on Pioneer Selection to go the extra mile to achieve this.” — Operations Director
At a Glance
The Challenge
- 50 permanent and contract vacancies
- Managing and transitioning existing PSL suppliers
- Design and implementation of a bespoke ATS system
- Need for scalable recruitment infrastructure
The Outcome
- 18% recruitment cost savings
- Fully implemented ATS and recruitment process
- Improved hiring visibility and efficiencies
- Streamlined, scalable recruitment partnership with Pioneer Selection