When it comes to executive recruitment, success isn’t just about placing a candidate it’s about ensuring they stay, thrive, and drive impact. At Wyman Bain, we’re proud to share that 80–90% of our executive placements in the manufacturing sector remain in post beyond their first year.

But why does this matter? And what does it mean for your business?

💸 The Real Cost of a Failed Placement

Let’s be honest a failed executive hire is not just frustrating, it’s expensive. Industry data shows the total cost of a failed placement can be 2–3 times the annual salary. For a typical leadership role in manufacturing, that could mean £300,000–£450,000 in lost value when you account for:

• Disruption to operations
• Reduced team morale
• Lost productivity
• Restarting the entire search process

It’s a setback no business can afford especially in a competitive, high-stakes sector like manufacturing.

🔍 How We Achieve Industry-Leading Retention

Our success rates aren’t the result of luck. They come from a methodical, research-driven approach built to ensure long-term fit and performance. Here’s how we do it:

1. 📊 Deep Market Intelligence

We don’t just pull names from a database. Our team conducts full market mapping, benchmarking both internal and external talent. This gives you access to passive candidates and top performers that traditional recruiters often overlook.

2. 🧠 Rigorous Candidate Assessment

Every candidate undergoes a robust evaluation process, including psychometric testing where relevant. We focus on both technical ability and cultural alignment, because the right fit on paper doesn’t always translate to the right fit in practice.

3. 🔎 Transparency at Every Step

We’re committed to open communication. Clients receive weekly progress updates, detailed shortlisting reports, and full visibility into our search methodology. No guesswork, no surprises just clarity and confidence.

4. 🌱 Focused on Long-Term Impact

We don’t disappear once an offer is signed. Our team stays engaged to ensure your new leader is settling in, delivering value, and poised for success well beyond the first year.

📈 Demonstrating ROI: The Value of Retention

Retention isn’t just a feel-good metric—it’s a business advantage.

If a failed hire can cost upwards of £400k, then our 80–90% retention rate represents significant bottom-line protection. The results?

• Greater leadership stability
• Lower recruitment costs
• Faster time to performance
• Less disruption for your teams

🏭 Real-World Success: Manufacturing Case Study

We recently partnered with a leading UK manufacturer to place a new Operations Director. Not only did the candidate bring fresh ideas and strategic clarity, but two years on, they’re still in role and have driven a 15% improvement in operational efficiency.

That’s not just a hire that’s a high-impact investment in leadership.

🤝 Why It Matters for Your Business

If you're evaluating executive search partners, one question matters above all:
“Do your placements stay and succeed?”

At Wyman Bain, we don’t just fill roles—we help build leadership teams that deliver results and stand the test of time.

📞 Let’s Talk

Thinking about your next key hire in manufacturing or engineering? Let’s have a confidential conversation about how our research-led approach can help you hire smarter—and retain longer.

👉 [Contact us]