Discrete and process plants both compete for the same handful of candidates who understand Lean, Six Sigma, ISO 9001 or IATF 16949. Plant managers want engineers who can read a control plan and stand on the floor during a changeover. Maintenance technicians who can troubleshoot PLCs and hydraulics are scarce in most metro areas. Second and third shift supervisor roles stay open longer than day shift roles, because fewer experienced leaders want off hours without a strong reason.
Good candidates in this sector look for more than base pay. They ask about shift differentials, overtime expectations, safety record, equipment age, and whether the plant runs a stable schedule. Supervisors want authority to write up issues and order parts without waiting for three signatures. Engineers want to see documented processes and a real commitment to quality systems. When the offer matches what the floor actually looks like, candidates accept faster.
Roles we fill in manufacturing
- Plant managers
- Manufacturing and process engineers
- Quality managers
- Maintenance technicians
- Production supervisors
- CNC machinists
Hiring problems we solve
Second and third shift coverage
Night shift supervisors are the hardest seats to fill in manufacturing. Talent Strand builds a bench of leaders already working off shifts in your region, so a search does not start from zero when a supervisor gives notice. We screen for people who have held a second or third shift role on a client's payroll before.
Certification and systems fit
Lean, Six Sigma, ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 appear in almost every brief. Talent Strand asks candidates to name the exact standards they have worked under and the ERP, MES or CMMS systems they used, then verifies those answers with references before you interview.
Maintenance and skilled trades shortages
CNC machinists, industrial electricians and maintenance technicians are hard to find in many U.S. regions. Talent Strand recruits from neighboring plants, local trade schools and technical programs, and checks hands-on skills like PLC troubleshooting, hydraulic repair and machine setup before presenting anyone.
What we check
For manufacturing roles we verify what the resume claims before an interview. That includes Six Sigma belt levels, ISO or IATF internal auditor certificates, OSHA 10 or 30 cards, forklift and crane licenses, and state electrical or HVAC licenses where the role requires them. ERP, MES, CMMS and PLC platforms named on the resume get checked against references and your own systems list. Background checks, drug screens and any site-specific safety clearances run according to your plant's policies.