CASE STUDY: Senior Vice-President

Middle East case study

Senior Vice-President - sky-high culinary operations 

Introduction:

This case study focuses on the private & confidential recruitment process for a global airline catering company in their search of a Vice-President of Culinary Operations in the Middle East. 

Company profile:

A world leading airline catering and events company operating globally, preparing, delivering, and serving a wide range of meals (over 10 million), beverages, and other amenities to be served onboard flights. The company has a large-scale production facility, storage areas, and a team of skilled chefs, food technicians, and service personnel.

Why did they choose us?

Our client had used a few Middle East based agencies to help them recruit for this specific position. However, after failing to hire anyone following a succession of interviews, they decided to select an agency which would allow them to interview a broader range of candidates with international exposure and attract global profiles. Our services were introduced to them, due to our good reputation and our ability to source the right sort of talent they were seeking.  

Recruitment objectives:

• Attract highly skilled and experienced senior candidates in the food and beverage industry.
• Identify candidates with a strong understanding of food safety regulations, airline catering industry standards but also gastronomy and haute cuisine.
• Find candidates who can handle the fast-paced and high-pressure nature of the airline catering industry.
• Ensure diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

Recruitment process:

• Job analysis and description:

The first step is to conduct a thorough job analysis to understand the key responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required for this exceptional position within the airline catering company.  A full job brief was then created, outlining the specific requirements for the role.

• Sourcing and advertising:

As an international recruitment company, we utilise multiple channels to attract the best potential candidates. These include online job portals, professional networks, industry-specific forums, and social media platforms. The job advertisement highlights the company's reputation, benefits, career growth opportunities, and the exciting nature of working in this specific industry.

• Screening and shortlisting:

Our team of skilled recruitment specialists screened the pre-selected applications and CVs, looking for candidates who meet the qualifications and experience outlined during the briefing call with the company’s HR team. Those who met the initial criteria were shortlisted for further evaluation.

• Interviews:

All shortlisted candidates were invited for interviews, which included multiple stages to assess their technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal skills. Behavioural-based interview questions were used to gauge their adaptability, teamwork, and ability to handle high-pressure situations.

• Reference checks:

Before making final hiring decisions, our recruitment team contacts the provided references to verify the candidates' professional backgrounds and performance in previous roles. These checks helped ensure the credibility and reliability of potential employees.

• Offer and onboarding:

Once the final candidate was selected, a job offer was extended, including details about compensation, benefits, and the terms of employment. The onboarding process involved providing necessary training, familiarising new hires with the company's policies and procedures.

Conclusion:

Recruiting for a senior position with a world-wide airline catering company required identifying candidates with relevant skills, experience, and a commitment to maintaining high-quality food services. 

Our tailored and through recruitment process emphasised on the candidates’ background, experiences, adaptability, and ability to handle the challenges of the position. 

By engaging with a comprehensive recruitment strategy, we built a skilled and diverse process delivering exceptional services to our client.