Cross-border search helps Vossloh secure talent for its Global Digitisation Program

About the client

Vossloh is a global leader in rail infrastructure solutions, headquartered in Germany. The company was founded in 1883 and has a long history of manufacturing and selling rail-related products and services covering the entire rail infrastructure lifecycle. The company operates in more than 30 countries and has production facilities in Europe, North America, and China.

Background

Developing in-house digital expertise is a core part of Vossloh’s ongoing transformation towards using digital services to enhance its core business. As part of this process, the business requested Nigel Wright’s help in recruiting a Cloud Technical Lead. This individual would be responsible for building a global cloud architecture, connecting Vossloh’s infrastructure to client organisations.

The challenge

Vossloh had limited expertise in recruiting Cloud profiles, making it difficult for the business to specify the skills and experience required for the role. Further, Cloud Technical Leads are typically attracted to opportunities at pure-play enterprises. Nigel Wright, therefore, had to sell Vossloh’s proposition vis-à-vis the prospect of leading digital change within an industrial company.

Nigel Wright Solution

With Vossloh’s digitisation team mostly split between France and Germany, Nigel Wright consultants based in Düsseldorf and Paris collaborated on this search, leveraging their local market knowledge and combined networks to broaden the talent pool. By outlining the technical capabilities of the role, they were able to shape the brief and sell the opportunity to potential candidates.

The Outcome

Despite the competitive market for Cloud Technical Leads alongside other challenges associated with recruiting this role, the search was a success. Following a rigorous process, Vossloh interviewed three strong candidates, one from France and two based in Germany. The successful candidate has extensive digitisation experience from previous leadership roles based in Germany and overseas.

Client Testimonial

“Overall, this was a very professional service. Throughout the process, the consultants demonstrated a willingness to satisfy their customer. Despite operating in different markets, they were completely aligned and worked collaboratively to find the best solution, offering regular communication along the way. Thanks to Nigel Wright’s expertise and cross-border search capabilities, we now have more capabilities to build a global cloud architecture and boost Vossloh’s digital offering.” - Pierre-Henri Bougeant, Head of Digitalisation at Vossloh