The Challenge

Our client needed to recruit a Formulation & Development Chemist with a highly specific technical background in polymer science.

Several factors made the assignment particularly challenging:

• The role was based in a rural location on the south coast, limiting the local talent pool.
• Candidates required a specialist scientific qualification and formulation experience within polymer chemistry.
• Traditional local advertising alone was unlikely to generate sufficient quality applicants.
• As a small business, cultural fit was just as important as technical capability.

To secure the right individual, the search needed to extend well beyond the immediate geographic area, with commuting and relocation both considered viable options.

Our Approach

We began by spending time with the client to gain a detailed understanding of both the technical requirements and the working culture. With a small team, personality and long-term fit were critical to the success of the appointment.

A full Wallace Hind eSearch campaign was launched, including:

• Optimised advertising across all seven of the UK’s leading job boards.
• Carefully targeted geographical coverage to maximise candidate reach.
• Advert copy written specifically to appeal to experienced scientific and formulation professionals.
• Comprehensive candidate briefing documents and role addendums.
• Competency-based, face-to-face interviews conducted by Wallace Hind consultants.
• Thomas International psychometric profiling for shortlisted candidates before client interviews.

This process ensured every candidate presented had been assessed for both technical competence and cultural alignment.

The campaign was delivered on time and within budget.

The Results

Campaign Outcomes

• 259 advert responses
• 27 candidates engaged
• 19 candidate briefs and addendums issued
• 13 Wallace Hind competency interviews completed
• 8 candidates presented to the client
• 6 first-stage client interviews arranged

By combining targeted attraction, rigorous screening and detailed behavioural assessment, we delivered a high-quality shortlist despite the geographical constraints and highly specialised technical requirements of the role.