At BioTalent, we specialise in connecting top talent with leading organisations across various sectors, including the highly specialised field of ophthalmology. When a global leader in eye care needed to fill challenging roles within their organisation, they turned to us for our expertise and deep industry knowledge. This case study details how we partnered with them to overcome significant recruitment hurdles and secure the right candidates for their team.
The Context
Our client, a global giant in the eye care industry, operates in over 70 countries and serves patients in more than 140 countries. With thousands of employees worldwide, they are at the forefront of innovation in surgical equipment, vision care products, and pharmaceuticals. Their commitment to quality and extensive product range have made them a key player in ophthalmology.
Despite their global presence and strong market position, the client faced a significant challenge in hiring Surgical Account Managers for various territories. These positions require a unique blend of sales expertise in ophthalmology and experience in a surgical theatre environment. Compounding the challenge, many potential candidates were bound by non-compete clauses from competitors, making the talent pool even more limited.
The Challenge
The client had been struggling to fill these critical roles through internal recruitment efforts, prompting them to reach out to BioTalent. They needed professionals who not only had the technical and sales skills but also fit the company’s culture. Each hiring manager had slightly different requirements, making the search even more complex. With our proven track record and specialised consultants focusing on this niche market, we were well-equipped to take on the challenge.
The Solution
To address the client’s needs, we launched an exclusive search strategy that leveraged all available resources and platforms. Our approach included:
Targeted Job Adverts: We crafted job descriptions based on the detailed briefing from the client and posted them across multiple forums, ensuring maximum visibility.
Proactive Engagement: We actively headhunted passive candidates and maintained communication with those who were already on the market. Given the exclusive nature of our agreement, we were able to dedicate more resources to these searches, conducting a thorough dive into the market and even headhunting directly from competitors.
Utilisation of "Race In STEM" Community: This unique network allowed us to reach candidates who may not be active on platforms like LinkedIn, broadening our search.
Referrals and Recommendations: We tapped into our network for referrals and recommendations, ensuring we left no stone unturned.
Our team’s commitment, combined with the client’s dedication, enabled us to customise our search for each role, accounting for the different priorities of each hiring manager. Whether it was educational background, specific industry experience, or the ability to upskill, we tailored our search to meet these varying requirements.
The Results
Our focused efforts led to successful placements for all three Surgical Account Manager roles. The search process involved a deep dive into the talent pool, speaking with as many candidates as possible to ensure the best fit for both the client and the candidates. Here’s how it broke down:
Roles Filled: 3 (all focused on sales, covering different territories with slightly varied job titles/products)
Candidates Approached: Approximately 100-150 individuals per role
Applications Reviewed: Around 80-120 for each role
Shortlists Created: Initial shortlists consisted of 4-8 profiles per role, with additional qualified CVs shared as the search progressed
Interview Success Rate: 75% of shortlisted candidates secured interviews
Final Interview Stage: 2-3 candidates per role reached the final interview stage
Despite the complexity and challenges of these searches, we were able to brief, resource, and place candidates within two months, including their notice periods. This swift turnaround was achieved thanks to our comprehensive approach and the strong partnership with the client.
This case study highlights BioTalent’s ability to tackle even the most challenging recruitment scenarios in specialised fields like ophthalmology. By leveraging our extensive network, industry expertise, and a tailored approach, we were able to deliver exceptional results for our client, ensuring they could continue to lead the way in global eye care.
Reach out to the BioTalent team to see how they can solve your recruitment needs.