Service Engineer

Client: Matt Pearson

Consultant: Ollie (Verto)

Purpose of Call:

• Introductory discussion following email

• Understand current and future recruitment needs

• Qualify a niche service engineer vacancy

• Explain Verto's recruitment approach and fee structure

Client is skeptical of recruiters due to poor past experiences:

• Candidates oversold as suitable but lacking real experience

• Incorrect location or availability

Has been contacted by 10 agencies already

Open to working together if candidates are genuinely relevant

Primary need: Service / Installation Engineer

Focus area: Air handling, dust & mist extraction systems

Reason: Business wants to expand and strengthen this side of operations

Vacancy is live but early-stage; feelers put out pre-Christmas

Office / Base: Kidderminster

Ideal candidate location:

• Midlands-based

• Preferably just north of Birmingham

• Avoid far north (e.g. Scotland, North Yorkshire) due to travel costs

Territory: UK-wide coverage

Travel:

• National travel required

• Some overnight stays (optional depending on engineer preference)

• Engineers are paid door-to-door

Background in:

• Dust extraction or mist extraction

• Installation of multiple types of extraction units

Experience required:

• Solid ducting

• Mechanical installation

• Basic electrical competence

  • Power supplied by customer OR taken from control panels

Preference for:

• Candidates with direct industry experience

• Will consider adjacent industries (e.g. AHU / compressed air) if filtration exposure is strong

Travel time: Paid door-to-door

Working day: Can be long (6-11 hours depending on travel)

On-site presence:

• Customer sites always

• Factory visits for parts are sporadic

Package includes:

• Company van

• Tools

• Company credit card

• Mobile phone

• Tablet

Salary is dependent on candidate experience

Client open to discussion once suitable profiles are identified

Aware that experienced candidates command higher packages

No interviews conducted yet

Previous candidates rejected due to:

• Wrong location

• Lack of niche experience

• Lack of inspiration / quality

Strong desire to avoid:

• Job-hoppers

• "Journeyman" engineers moving frequently

Verto explained pricing options:

• 18% - 2-month free replacement

• 19% - 3-month free replacement

• 20% - 4-month free replacement

Premium option (Verto Engage):

• £2,000 upfront

• 6-month free replacement

• £2,000 deducted from final fee

Client requested all fee options in writing

Open to:

• Flat fee discussion instead of % (to avoid penalising higher salaries)

Ollie to:

• Email full role summary + fee options

• Send over an initial shortlist / candidate overview

Client to:

• Review candidate snippets

• Give quick yes/no feedback

• Discuss internally with MD if interest

Catch-up call booked:

• Friday afternoon 3:00pm

Service & Installation Engineer - Air Handling / Extraction Systems

Installation and servicing of dust & mist extraction systems

UK-wide travel to customer sites

Occasional factory visits to collect parts

Mechanical installation with some electrical connection work

Reports into senior management / MD (exact structure not specified)

Midlands-based preferred (north of Birmingham ideal)

UK-wide coverage

Overnight stays as required (flexible)

Growth hire to expand air handling / extraction side of the business

Early-stage

Interviews ASAP once the right candidate is identified

Client open to fast movement for strong profiles

Multiple agencies involved

Client highly selective and cautious due to past experiences

Client has a genuine but niche requirement for a Midlands-based service/install engineer with dust & mist extraction experience.

They are highly skeptical of recruiters but open to engagement if candidates are credible and well-vetted.

UK-wide travel, door-to-door pay, and a strong package are positives for candidate attraction.

Decision-making will be quick once the right candidate is found.