Recruiting key team members for a large life sciences company
A large life sciences company started construction on a new, $175m, small-scale clinical biotech facility in 2007. When the plant became operational in 2009, the client required key team members to be recruited.
The plant is a phase 2B/3 clinical trial scale facility to manufacture, purify, formulate and bulk-fill mammalian cell culture-derived proteins. The facility is designed as a strategic biotech manufacturing centre of excellence and is planned to support the rapid development of new biotechnology products.
The plant uses a novel operating model, including self-directed high-performance teams, a low hierarchy organisational approach, integrated facilities management, and implementation of cross-functional product teams to manage process activities.
Approach
Early in 2008 Quanta was approached by the company’s recruitment department. Due to their novel operating model, the client invited Quanta to meet key business partners and was asked to create a proposal to recruit five key team members:
- Purification lead – technical services
- Purification lead – manufacturing
- Cell culture lead – technical services
- Cell culture lead – manufacturing
- Head of engineering
Quanta was engaged on an executive search and selection programme to source individuals for these positions.
Process
Quanta created a ‘fast response team’ to provide a priority service. The team’s first task was to identify the roles required and their order of priority. They subsequently set about contacting contractors within Quanta’s unique network of specialists. Many of these individuals were working across the globe and could not be contacted during normal working hours. To overcome this, the team set up a shift system where staff worked not just normal work hours but also in the evenings and at weekends to resource the roles.
Outcome
Quanta sourced 4 out of the 5 positions, with the head of engineering candidate applying directly. The company was extremely pleased, since Quanta had been able to source individuals who were able to start within a 3-month period.
Subsequently, Quanta has become an approved supplier of human resources to the client in other geographical locations.