Recruitment consulting for industry and mid-caps: executive search with industry depth
As a specialised recruitment consultancy based in Düsseldorf we fill leadership and specialist positions in the core industrial sectors of automotive, chemicals and mechanical engineering — through direct approach, with scientifically grounded aptitude diagnostics and 25 years of industry network.
Six-month placement guarantee: If a placed candidate leaves the company within the first six months, we run the search again at no additional fee.
Why industrial companies need a specialised recruitment consultant
Not every recruitment consultancy is the same. The German market counts more than 6,000 of them, most of them generalists.
As a recruitment consultancy specialising in industry we know the corporate landscape, the decision-makers and the technical requirements in our three core sectors.
Our approach combines three search methods: executive search (direct approach/headhunting) for executives and key positions, advertisement-based search for specialists, and Aptitude diagnostics to DIN 33430 as quality assurance in every assignment.
Ob managing director, C-level executive or divisional head, whether head of sales, plant manager or head of development — Bohlken Consulting is the consultancy that understands your industry.
Recruitment consulting that deserves the name
- Hidden market: the best candidates are not actively looking — we reach them through a targeted direct approach
- Industry language: we speak the language of your departments, whether REACH regulation, IATF quality management or lean production
- Diagnostic depth: NEO-PI-R, BIP and DIN 33430 interviews — robust decisions instead of gut feeling
- Speed: shortlist in 4–6 weeks, final placement in 8–12 weeks
- Discretion: anonymised first approach, no public job posting without your agreement
- Six-month guarantee: fee-free repeat search — our promise of responsibility
Recruitment consulting with genuine industry knowledge
We deliberately concentrate on three core industrial sectors. That specialisation is what makes the difference.
Automotive industry
Recruitment consulting for OEMs, tier-1 to tier-3 suppliers and engineering service providers: managing directors, plant managers, development and sales leadership.
Headhunter automotive →Chemical industry
Recruitment consulting for speciality chemicals, fine chemicals, petrochemicals and life sciences: plant managers, heads of R&D, production management.
Headhunter chemicals →Mechanical & plant engineering
Recruitment consulting for manufacturers, special-purpose machinery and plant engineering: managing directors of mid-caps, divisional leadership, design and sales.
Headhunter mechanical engineering →Recruitment consulting by function and hierarchy level
Alongside industry expertise we offer functional specialisations for critical roles.
Sales & business development
Recruitment consulting for heads of sales, key account managers, heads of sales and business development managers.
Headhunter sales →Operations & supply chain
Recruitment consulting for production managers, plant managers, COOs, supply chain managers and lean experts.
Headhunter operations →Executives & C-level
Recruitment consulting for managing boards, executive boards, C-level and divisional leadership.
Headhunter executives →Three search methods — one integrated approach
Depending on the position, hierarchy level and market situation we choose the right method — or combine them.
Direct search & headhunting
Active, discreet identification and approach of candidates in the hidden job market. The method of choice for leadership roles.
More on direct search →Aptitude diagnostics & potential analysis
Scientifically validated personality diagnostics (NEO-PI-R, BIP) and structured interviews to DIN 33430.
More on diagnostics →Advertisement-based search
Targeted job advertisements on industry-specific channels, complemented by active sourcing. The method for specialist roles.
More on advertisement-based search →Recruitment consulting in five steps: from briefing to guarantee
Every assignment follows a structured process that combines speed, quality and discretion.
A personal briefing on site. Analysis of the company culture, strategic goals and a precise definition of the requirement profile.
Target company mapping and systematic identification of suitable candidates within our 25-year industry network.
Anonymised, personal contact with identified candidates. We present a perspective, not merely a vacancy.
In-depth interviews, NEO-PI-R, BIP and DIN 33430. Presentation of three to five hand-picked candidates with full profiles.
Contract negotiation, onboarding support and a fee-free repeat search if the placement leaves within the first six months.
Jan Bohlken — your contact for every assignment
Jan Bohlken
For more than 25 years I have advised industrial companies on filling key positions — from specialised experts to the executive board. recruitment consultant: every appointment must fit technically, personally and culturally.
The combination of executive search and scientifically grounded aptitude diagnostics to DIN 33430 is the basis for a lasting appointment.
„For me, recruitment consulting means finding the right person for the right position — not the fastest one.“
Frequently asked questions about recruitment consulting
Answers on fees, process, methods and specialisation of our recruitment consulting for industry and mid-caps.
For executive search we work in thirds: 25–33 % of the gross annual target salary. Reduced conditions apply to advertisement-based search. Aptitude diagnostics are included.
A recruitment consultancy such as Bohlken Consulting works on an exclusive basis with active direct approach and in-depth diagnostics, rather than forwarding CVs.
Automotive industry (OEMs, suppliers), Chemical industry (speciality chemicals, fine chemicals, pharma, life sciences) and mechanical and plant engineering (including special-purpose machinery and engineering). Functionally we cover sales, operations and executives.
Executives (managing board, C-level, divisional and department leadership) and highly specialised professionals (development engineers, process engineers, regulatory experts). Functionally: sales, operations, supply chain.
Shortlist in –6 weeks. Final placement after –12 weeks. C-level assignments up to 16 weeks. Plus a six-month placement guarantee with a fee-free repeat search.
executive search (direct approach), advertisement-based search and Aptitude diagnostics to DIN 33430 with NEO-PI-R and BIP. The method is matched precisely to hierarchy level, industry and market conditions.
Yes. Head office in Düsseldorf, assignments across Germany and the DACH region (Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands). What matters is the industry, not the geography.
Yes. A fee-free repeat search if the placement leaves within the first six months — a fixed part of every contract.
Bohlken Consulting opens doors that are not visible on the open job market. Executives and specialists are welcome to talk to us in confidence — we know the vacancies before they are advertised.
Ready for your next key appointment?
Talk now to your specialised recruitment consultant for industry in Düsseldorf — discreet, without obligation, at eye level.