Contract Development Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), operating since 1942, and remains one the nation’s leading manufacturers with over 100 unique product families. The firm plays a crucial role in saving and enhancing everyday people's lives. The company has two main locations: Indiana, where it operates a research and development facility boasting a workforce of over 400 employees, and Philadelphia, which serves as its corporate headquarters.
In November 2022, Harba approached the pharmaceuticals company whilst it was reevaluating its headcount needs. Although not hiring at the time, the team would be recruiting through the summer of 2023. In June 2023, the pharmaceuticals company reconnected with Harba Solutions as hiring campaigns were underway.
As much of pharma companies’ work is based on contracted manufacture, more staff are needed as and when demand increases. However, the company was facing challenges in finding qualified staff in the rural location of Seymour.
It would be important for Harba to find qualified staff at speed as meeting demand was contingent on having the personnel available to deliver.
The firm also required qualified technical skills across Chemists, Manufacturing Technicians and Materials Handling, who were not only reliable but also possessed the necessary expertise for the roles.
Upon winning the project, Harba Solutions set a goal to fill all ten roles available by the first hiring class. The team took a multifaceted approach to source and attract potential candidates effectively:
Harba’s Immediate Network: Harba Solutions leveraged it’s immediate network, a distinct set of segmented talent pools to quickly source candidates who had been pre-qualified in the last 3 months.
Headhunting: The team proactively identified and reached out to professionals in the industry who possessed the desired qualifications and experience. This approach allowed them to tap into a broader talent pool who were highly skilled, yet passive and who might not have been actively seeking new opportunities.
Utilizing online platforms: Rather than solely relying on receiving applications, they actively searched for individuals with the required skill set across various job portals, marrying the unique requirements of each individual role to skilled available professionals.
Referrals: Throughout the hiring process, Harba Solutions encouraged referrals from existing applicants whilst undertaking the above tactics. The team spoke to referred candidates and explored their suitability for the available positions. In one notable case, a mother applying for one of the roles referred her daughter, who was studying Chemistry at College. Both went on to join the team.
Harba Solutions successfully filled every Manufacturing Technician and Material Handler position. Each candidate interviewed were commended for their ability and professionalism, owing to Harba’s rigorous selection process.
The hiring process yielded the following results:
Positions Filled:
8 Pharma Manufacturing Technicians
5 Material Specialist
1 Raw Materials Chemist
2 Analytical Chemist
2 Analytical Services Chemist Timelines:
Positions were filled between June 26th and July 10th 2023, a span of two weeks.
Ongoing Collaboration:
Harba Solutions continues to work closely with Lannett Pharmaceuticals to hire analytical chemists. Their partnership remains strong as they aim to fulfill the company's talent acquisition needs and support its growth into the future.
Through its comprehensive approach, Harba Solutions provided effective solutions staffing challenges. By leveraging various recruitment strategies, an immediate network of qualified talent, and a professional hiring process, Harba Solutions successfully filled critical positions within a short timeframe. Their ability to find and attract qualified candidates has helped meet immediate staffing requirements and establish a collaborative partnership for ongoing recruitment needs.