Company Name
Shurhold Industries
Search Job Title
Factory Manager
Client Profile
Shurhold Industries is a Florida-based light manufacturer specializing in marine and boat accessories. The company has been in business for 50 years.
Role Objectives & Challenges
This was a replacement search for a retiring leader. Initially, the company attempted to fill the role with someone who had a maintenance background, but this approach did not meet their needs. They realized they needed to pivot toward hiring an operations-focused manager with lean manufacturing experience who could oversee the entire manufacturing facility. The position required managing an 80-person team in a single-shift operation. All direct reports were hourly employees, working Monday through Friday during standard business hours. One of the biggest challenges was finding a candidate who could oversee the entire facility without an additional layer of management. The ideal candidate needed experience in assembly and light manufacturing. Additionally, Shurhold operated without an ERP system and relied heavily on manual and analog processes. The new hire needed to be comfortable working within these constraints while also identifying opportunities for improvement and cost-effective digital upgrades.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
We focused on identifying candidates with prior experience in similar environments—problem solvers who could operate effectively despite resource constraints while also advocating for necessary growth initiatives. We targeted professionals with a background in lean manufacturing and operations management, aiming to find someone who could analyze and implement cost-effective improvements to the process, facility, and team to keep Shurhold competitive. Our initial search focused locally in Port St. Lucie, Florida, but the candidate pool was limited. We expanded to a regional search, covering all of Florida and Georgia. Additionally, we identified candidates planning to relocate to Florida who would need employment upon arrival.
The Hire & Results
By leveraging creative sourcing tactics, we identified a slate of six highly qualified candidates, of whom five were interviewed. Working closely with the company’s owner, we conducted a thorough vetting and screening process. The final round of interviews included three candidates, and one was hired within 45 days from the start of the search. The selected candidate had recently relocated from Indiana and aligned well with Shurhold’s requirements. His background includes extensive production and manufacturing experience with a Tier 1 automotive manufacturer, as well as oversight of a large logistics team at Walmart. Additionally, his time as a staff sergeant in the Air Force as a mechanic gave him both maintenance and operations expertise—making him an ideal leader for Shurhold’s 80-person team.
