West Midlands | UK-wide search capability

Senior Engineering & Manufacturing Recruitment in the West Midlands

Specialist executive search, retained recruitment and interim leadership solutions. Worcestershire-based. Supporting engineering and manufacturing businesses throughout the West Midlands and across the UK.

Looking beyond active applicants

Finding the right people requires looking beyond the active candidate market.

Recruiting experienced engineering, manufacturing and operational leaders is rarely straightforward.

The individuals capable of improving performance, delivering complex projects, leading change or strengthening a management team are often already employed and delivering results elsewhere. They may not be actively looking for another opportunity. They may never see your advertisement.

That doesn't mean they wouldn't consider the right conversation.

At Arqentis, we help engineering and manufacturing businesses identify, engage and secure senior, specialist and business-critical professionals through a structured, search-led recruitment approach.

We work alongside Managing Directors, HR leaders and functional decision-makers to understand the business challenge behind each appointment and identify the people best equipped to address it.

Our specialist markets

Specialist recruitment for engineering and manufacturing businesses

Our experience spans technical, operational and commercial appointments across engineering-led organisations.

Industries we support

  • Automotive manufacturing and supply chains
  • Aerospace and advanced manufacturing
  • Industrial engineering and technical services
  • Precision engineering and specialist manufacturing
  • Automation, controls and engineering project delivery
  • Engineering-led construction and infrastructure businesses

Relevant to SMEs and mid-sized businesses

Our focus is particularly relevant to SMEs and mid-sized organisations where an unsuccessful senior appointment can have a significant operational and commercial impact.

We support recruitment across a range of leadership and specialist disciplines, approaching each assignment according to the business requirement rather than a predetermined list of job titles.

Typical appointments

Senior and business-critical appointments

Operations and manufacturing leadership

Operations Directors, Manufacturing Directors, General Managers, Plant Managers, Site Directors and senior operational improvement professionals.

Engineering and technical leadership

Engineering Directors, Technical Directors, Engineering Managers, Automation Leaders and senior technical specialists.

Programme and project delivery

Programme Directors, Senior Project Managers, NPI and Launch Managers, Commissioning Managers and engineering project specialists.

Supply chain and commercial functions

Supply Chain Directors, Procurement Managers, Plant Buyers, Logistics Managers and senior commercial professionals.

Retained executive search

A more structured approach

Traditional recruitment methods can be effective when suitable candidates are actively looking for work. Senior, specialist and difficult-to-fill appointments often require a more comprehensive approach.

Our retained search methodology is designed to identify and engage relevant professionals across the wider market.

01

Define

Understand the business, the challenge, the required outcomes and the experience needed.

02

Map

Identify relevant organisations, professional backgrounds and individuals across the target market.

03

Engage

Approach suitable professionals discreetly, establish interest and assess alignment.

04

Shortlist

Present carefully assessed candidates, supported by meaningful market information.

The result is a controlled recruitment process designed around the quality and relevance of the appointment, not simply the volume of available CVs.

Explore our Retained Search service →

Interim & contract

Interim management and specialist contract recruitment

Not every business challenge requires an immediate permanent appointment. Organisations experiencing growth, restructuring, leadership gaps, project deadlines or recruitment restrictions may need experienced capability without committing to a permanent hire.

Typical interim requirements

  • Interim Operations and Manufacturing Directors
  • Plant and Site Management
  • Engineering and Technical Management
  • Programme and Project Delivery
  • Manufacturing Improvement and Transformation
  • Specialist Engineering and Commissioning

Assignments can be structured around defined business needs, with contractual and IR35 considerations assessed where applicable.

Explore Interim & Contract solutions →
Regional understanding, national reach

Supporting engineering and manufacturing employers across the West Midlands

Based in Worcestershire, Arqentis works with employers across the region, including Worcester, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Warwickshire and Herefordshire.

Our understanding of engineering and manufacturing recruitment extends beyond geographical boundaries. For specialist appointments, the right individual may be based outside the immediate area, particularly where relocation, hybrid working or national search becomes relevant.

Our approach combines regional understanding with UK-wide market coverage.

We don't limit a search to the candidates who happen to live nearby or are currently applying for vacancies.

Why Arqentis

A partner to your business, not simply a supplier of CVs.

Experience where it matters

With more than 25 years' recruitment experience, we understand the challenges of identifying and securing experienced professionals for technically demanding environments.

Dedicated market engagement

We proactively identify and approach suitable individuals, including those who may not be actively considering a career move.

Meaningful market insight

A structured search can provide useful information about salary expectations, candidate availability, employer perception and the competitiveness of an opportunity.

Support for internal teams

We complement existing HR and talent acquisition functions with dedicated search capacity for specialist appointments.

Focus on the appointment

Our priority is helping clients make informed, commercially sound hiring decisions through a measured and accountable process.

Start a conversation

Have a senior or specialist appointment to make?

Whether you're planning a leadership appointment, struggling to fill a specialist position or considering interim support, let's discuss the business challenge, the talent market and what a successful appointment needs to achieve.

Discuss Your Hiring Challenge →