D R Newitt prides itself on its specialist knowledge, with teams that concentrate on individual aspects of manufacturing within the FMCG industry (e.g Technical, NPD, Commercial).
Today we turn our attention to a consultant who recruits across a broader spectrum; Simon Norris is a Senior Recruiter who heads up D R Newitt’s Scotland division. Our team of Scotland recruiters are unique to D R Newitt as their parameters are geographical rather than sector based. Here Simon gives us an insight into recruiting for Scotland.
Hi Simon, for starters what is your professional background as a recruiter?
From early on in my career I have always worked within organisations where their customers have been provided service efficiently and successfully. My career started within convenience food but led into recruitment after a belated gap year. Despite the surface level differences of the businesses I have worked for; I have always maintained success in delivering each companies’ service promises. Previous training in customer service coupled with my determination to do the best job possible has led me to where I am now in my career.
At D R Newitt I am the Senior Recruitment Consultant who specialises in Scottish based Food and Drinks recruitment, specifically focusing on Technical, Operations, New Product Development, and HSE.
D R Newitt has more profession-based teams like ‘Supply Chain’, ‘Engineering’, why have a team focused on Scotland?
Good question – here in Scotland we may not have the largest of populations (with regard to client and candidate density), but what we do have is the best provenance of product arguably across the British Isles. It made sense to amalgamate the department services offered through myself to function as a central account manager that clients could rely on. Our core industries in Scotland of Meat, Bakery, Dairy, Fresh Produce, and Drinks all have supply chains that are interconnected, with this connectivity comes a responsibility to be able to link these professionals quickly and adeptly for candidate hiring processes.
What are the most exciting aspects of manufacturing in Scotland?
When I was offered a position with D R Newitt, I was given location and department choices to work across. I specifically chose to work across Scotland. As an Englishman (I can hear the boos from here), I didn’t just want a new job but wanted a brand-new challenge following relocation to Edinburgh in 2016.
The best way of taking on this challenge was through immersing myself in everything in the Scottish recruitment region for Food and Drink. Every day has been a step in my journey to learn about new products and processes across this wonderful nation.
With the industry’s ambition to double in the next 11 years, from a recruitment perspective, it is a very exciting time to be a service provider to our clients looking to employ the brightest talent for their businesses.
What is different about recruiting in Scotland?
You may have heard of the ‘Kevin Bacon Number’, where everyone is separated by six connections. Well, this is magnified to about three people here in the Scottish F&D industry. It is easy here in Scotland to establish long term connections with your candidate and clients, where repeat interactions or positive follow-ups happen all the time!
Why should Scottish businesses use D R Newitt?
We have been a market leader for 17 years. With year-on-year service to our region, the candidate database has increased to such an extent where it is now a rarity to find a new candidate working in the sector that we have not spoken to in the past. This advantage of holding a massive number of advanced professionals sets us apart from every other recruitment business that specialise here in Scotland. We will always know the people your business needs to move forward and add value.
Please feel free to contact Simon today with your recruitment enquires today.
Simon@drnewitt.com
For manufacturing jobs in the FMCG industry – speak to our friendly & experienced team at D R Newitt.