About CES
CES Advanced Armour is a specialist in the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced armour solutions, catering to the defence and security sectors. Since 2022, CES Advanced Armour has been undergoing a significant transformation, transitioning from a design, development, and prototype facility to a full-scale manufacturing operation at their Coventry site.
This expansion has necessitated the recruitment of highly skilled professionals across design, engineering, and manufacturing functions to support their growing operations.
The Challenge
As CES Advanced Armour expanded, they required a strategic hiring partner to help them source and recruit top-tier talent for their evolving business needs. Moving from a predominantly research and development-focused setup to a full-scale manufacturing facility meant that CES Advanced Armour needed a diverse range of specialists, from design engineers to manufacturing professionals. They required experienced individuals who could seamlessly integrate into a high-performance, defence-sector manufacturing environment.
The primary challenges included:
- Identifying and attracting skilled professionals in a niche industry.
- Managing the scale-up of recruitment while ensuring cultural and operational fit.
- Competing with established defence manufacturers for top talent.
- Addressing skill gaps within the newly established manufacturing functions.
The Solution
To address these challenges, we partnered with CES Advanced Armour to develop a comprehensive recruitment strategy tailored to their business needs:
Talent Mapping & Market Insights: Conducted in-depth research into the local talent pool to understand salary expectations, availability of skilled candidates, and competitive hiring trends.
Strategic Sourcing: Leveraged our specialist networks, targeted advertising, and proactive search strategies to attract high-calibre candidates across design, engineering, and manufacturing disciplines.
Screening & Selection: Provided a rigorous selection process, including detailed assessments of technical capabilities, cultural fit, and industry-specific experience.
Offer Management & Onboarding Support: Assisted in negotiations, ensuring seamless transitions for new hires into CES Advanced Armour growing team.
The Results
Since 2022, we have successfully placed over 30 professionals into key roles at CES Advanced Armour, spanning design engineering and manufacturing functions. This strategic hiring effort has played a crucial role in:
- Building a skilled workforce to support the full manufacturing transition.
- Enhancing operational efficiency with experienced professionals from similar industries.
- Strengthening CES Advanced Armour position as a competitive manufacturer in the defence sector.
“Working with Jonathan Lee Recruitment has been instrumental in our transformation journey. Their expertise in sourcing high-quality talent within the defence and manufacturing industries has enabled us to scale efficiently. The seamless recruitment process, tailored approach, and deep understanding of our needs have made them an invaluable partner in our growth."
Chris Davies
Director of Technology and Product development
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