Executive Search for a Head of Engineering for an Automotive Manufacturer

Case Study: Strategic Appointment of Maintenance Support Engineer – Japanese Automotive Manufacturer

For Operational and Manufacturing Leaders Seeking:

• How to hire a Maintenance Support Engineer who drives efficiency and safety?

• What qualifications should a senior maintenance engineer in automotive manufacturing have?

• How do I find engineering talent aligned with lean production and global standards?

🏭 The Challenge: Recruiting Engineering Leadership for Operational Excellence

Client: A globally recognised Japanese car manufacturer, known for its engineering precision and lean manufacturing principles.
Role: Head of Maintenance Support Engineer
Objective: Identify and appoint a senior maintenance leader to optimise equipment reliability, improve production uptime, and reinforce safety in a high-performance automotive environment.

Key Priorities:

• Advance preventative and predictive maintenance strategies

• Enhance overall plant efficiency and uptime

• Uphold world-class safety and compliance standards

• Champion continuous improvement in line with lean manufacturing

🔍 The Strategy: Bespoke Executive Search for Manufacturing Leadership

1. Deep Alignment With Client Strategy
Collaborated with the client’s senior leadership to understand:

• The critical nature of the maintenance function within global production

• Strategic goals around uptime, process improvement, and lean initiatives

• Core values around precision, innovation, and operational discipline

2. Ideal Candidate Profile
We defined a high-impact profile featuring:

• Extensive experience in automotive or industrial maintenance operations

• Deep knowledge of lean systems, TPM, and advanced diagnostics

• Strong leadership and hands-on engineering execution

• A mindset geared toward continuous improvement and efficiency gains

3. Targeted Global Talent Search
Sourced across automotive, industrial, and Tier 1 supplier sectors:

• Focused on professionals with a track record in high-volume production environments

• Balanced active search with passive outreach to reach in-demand, hard-to-find talent

• Prioritised individuals experienced in automation, equipment lifecycle management, and digital maintenance platforms

4. Evaluation and Fit
Conducted competency-based evaluations focused on:

• Engineering depth and hands-on maintenance expertise

• Ability to lead cultural and operational change

• Results in driving cost savings, reliability, and production performance

• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement

✅ The Result: High-Impact Appointment with Measurable Results

The selected Maintenance Support Engineer delivered immediate value:

• Production Uptime: Reduced downtime through predictive maintenance upgrades

• Safety Leadership: Reinforced global safety protocols and reduced incident rates

• Efficiency Gains: Streamlined workflows across multiple production sites

• Innovation: Introduced data-driven solutions to optimise asset performance

Why They Were the Right Fit:

• Extensive experience with leading automotive brands

• Proven ability to manage complex engineering teams and systems

• Strong alignment with the company’s operational culture and innovation goals

🔑 Key Takeaway

For automotive and industrial manufacturers, this case study demonstrates how a tailored executive search can deliver engineering leadership that drives:

• Operational efficiency

• Safety and compliance

• Sustainable process improvement

• Competitive advantage in global markets

🔧 Need to Recruit Maintenance and Operations Leaders?

We specialise in executive search for engineering, manufacturing, and technical operations roles—connecting world-class talent with businesses that demand reliability, innovation, and transformation.

📞 Call: 0207 160 6996
✉️ Email: info@executiveheadhunters.co.uk
🌐 Visit: www.executiveheadhunters.co.uk