Client: Surberry, a European company specialising in premium fruit solutions, offering quality products across Europe.
Position: Operations Manager
Location: Agadir, Morocco
Model: Retained
Challenges:
- Unclear needs
- A high volume of candidates to assess
- A tight 4-month deadline
Introduction
Surberry specialises in soft fruit, including raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. They produce the popular Adelita raspberry and market their fruit throughout Europe, partnering with a French company for distribution in France. Despite market fluctuations, Surberry maintains a steady supply of high-quality fruit year-round, including an organic range, with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
In this case study, we will describe the assignment, the solution, and the result of our search process.
The Assignment
Despite its success, Surberry recognised the need to address operational and management gaps within the company. To sustain growth, they started a search to find new talent to add to their experienced team. They sought candidates with deep expertise in operations management within the fresh produce sector, particularly berries, who could seamlessly adapt to Moroccan culture and were fluent in English, French, and possibly Arabic. With a tight four-month deadline and a vast pool of candidates, Surberry faced the challenge head-on, prioritising a swift and effective recruitment process.
The Solution
LCR took on Surberry's challenge with a clear and focused plan. Knowing time was tight, LCR quickly delivered a shortlist within three weeks. With many applicants to consider, the team carefully screened candidates, prioritising those with experience in the fresh produce industry and who could adapt well to Moroccan culture. Through this careful process, LCR identified 57 strong candidates, narrowing it down to eight for the longlist and arranging interviews for three. Impressively, within just two months, Surberry found the right candidate, well ahead of their deadline.
The Result
In just 9 weeks, LCR successfully placed an operations manager who met all of Surberry's key requirements.
The candidate had the right industry experience and language skills, perfectly matching the client's needs. This quick placement saved Surberry valuable time and allowed them to onboard the new manager before a major business project, ensuring they were ready and well-prepared.
Timeline (LCR guided the process to submit the shortlist within 3 weeks)
Week 01 -> Briefing session | Comprehensive search
Week 02 -> LCR - Interviewed & Assessed
Week 03 -> LCR - Interviews continued | Shortlist submitted
Week 04 - 05 -> 1st & 2nd stage interviews
Week 09 -> Offer made
