Halden SearchStart a search

A Chicago search firm for Midwest manufacturing and engineering roles. A calibrated shortlist in 15 business days.

Start a searchLooking for a role?

Five kinds of hire. Nothing outside the plant.

  1. 01

    Plant managers

    We checkP&L ownership, headcount led, union or non-union, and the turnaround they can point to.

  2. 02

    Quality engineers

    We checkIATF 16949, ISO 9001 or SQF audits run, PPAP and root-cause work they own end to end.

  3. 03

    Controls and automation engineers

    We checkPLC platforms in hand (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), commissioning they led, not watched.

  4. 04

    Maintenance leads

    We checkPlanned versus reactive ratio, CMMS they ran, crews they scheduled across shifts.

  5. 05

    EHS managers

    We checkOSHA recordables history, PSM or lockout programs built, and how they handle a stop-work call.

Before we call a single candidate, we write the job down with you: the lines they will run, the people they will lead, the audits they will answer to. Every person we put in front of you has been interviewed against that page by someone who has worked a plant floor.

What lands in your inbox on day 15.

Every candidate is scored against the must-haves you signed. Select a line of the scorecard to see who meets it.

Sample shortlist

Controls Engineering Manager

Food and beverage plant, Rockford, IL. Reports to the plant manager.

Scorecard, signed day 1

  • T.S.5 of 5 must-haves

    Senior controls engineer, snack foods

    1. Line 1: meets
    2. Line 2: meets
    3. Line 3: meets
    4. Line 4: meets
    5. Line 5: meets
    On floor
    9 years
    Notice
    4 weeks
    Base ask
    $132k
    Gap
    None against the scorecard.
    Reason to move
    Wants to lead a team, not a project list.
  • R.M.4 of 5 must-haves

    Controls lead, beverage bottling

    1. Line 1: meets
    2. Line 2: meets
    3. Line 3: meets
    4. Line 4: does not meet
    5. Line 5: meets
    On floor
    14 years
    Notice
    3 weeks
    Base ask
    $138k
    Gap
    Dairy plant under 3-A sanitary standards, not SQF.
    Reason to move
    Current plant is cutting its second shift.
  • J.O.4 of 5 must-haves

    Automation supervisor, frozen foods

    1. Line 1: meets
    2. Line 2: meets
    3. Line 3: does not meet
    4. Line 4: meets
    5. Line 5: meets
    On floor
    11 years
    Notice
    2 weeks
    Base ask
    $126k
    Gap
    Commissioning limited to line extensions.
    Reason to move
    Relocating to Rockford in the spring.

Fifteen business days, in four steps.

  1. Day 1

    The scorecard

    A 60-minute call with the hiring manager. We write five to seven must-haves, the shift, the reporting line and the base range.

    You sign it before we search.

  2. Day 3

    The market map

    Every plant within commuting range that runs comparable lines or equipment, and who runs them there.

    You see the map and the target list.

  3. Day 10

    Floor interviews

    Recruiters with plant backgrounds interview each candidate against the scorecard: equipment, team size, audits, reasons to move.

    Candidates who miss a must-have stop here.

  4. Day 15

    The shortlist

    Three to five candidates, scored line by line against your scorecard, with notice period and base expectation.

    You choose who to meet.

The fee, the clock and the guarantee.

  • 22%of first-year baseOne fee on base salary. No charge on bonus, sign-on or relocation.
  • Retainedor contingentRetained: a third at kickoff, shortlist and start. Contingent: billed only when your hire starts.
  • 15business days to a shortlistCounted from the day you sign the scorecard.
  • 90 daysreplacement guaranteeIf the hire leaves or is let go in the first 90 days, we run the search again at no fee.

Run a line, a lab or a crew? We should talk.

Send a resume once. We call when a search fits the work you actually do.

Send your resume
  • Plant roles onlyManufacturing and engineering searches. We do not recruit outside them.
  • A recruiter from the floorSomeone who knows a changeover from a shutdown reads your resume.
  • Your name stays with usNo employer sees it until you say yes to that specific role.

Start a search with one email.

Send these four things and we will book the scorecard call within two business days.

Start a search
  1. 1The job title and plant location
  2. 2Who the hire reports to
  3. 3The base range you have approved
  4. 4The date you need them on the floor
(312) 555-0163searches@haldensearch.com