Chris McGeechan

Figured are a SaaS-based Kiwi agritech taking on the world. We are a small team of just 70 across NZ, Aus, UK & US markets. Primary market is ANZ, with expansion into US the focus for 2024/25.

• Brought in on a contract to review current recruitment process and systems, as well as implementing future-proofing into the next 36 months.
• Updated ATS and implemented the first HRIS for the business.
• Managed relationships with suppliers to maximise our partnerships across ATS, HRIS, L&D and employee engagement platforms.
• Ran projects alongside RevOps, Finance and Partner Success to reorganise role responsibilities, development and performance to meet new and upcoming market demands.
• Created an EVP statement and currently implementing 2024 employee branding across NZ, AUS, UK & US markets.
• Manage relationships with management and SLT to both support them and utilise collaboration in Talent projects.

Contract currently runs until the end of May with a 4 week notice.

• Assessed current recruitment practices and implemented new and improved talent acquisition strategies - increasing applications on average by 250% and saving over $350k in agency fees in the first six months
• Reviewed, identified and implemented digital reference and assessment tools and a brand new ATS & Onboarding tool, reducing the average candidate-to-hire ratio from 7:1 to 3:1
• Developed and delivered an industry-leading EVP to help attract and retain the best talent
• Built up our employee branding across ANZ and built an employee branding strategy to enter new international markets
• Owned weekly, monthly and quarterly business-specific reporting on departmental and team hiring goals
• Increased team results by leveraging metrics and setting targets to track recruitment activities against goals
• Designed and delivered coaching and mentoring to hiring managers to improve hiring outcomes. This included the design and implementation of our first recruitment policy

As with many of our tech industry peers, the business had to make the decision to restructure to ensure the long-term security of the business. I helped in facilitating the design for my team. More then 80 roles were affected across all departments.

Senior Retail Recruitment Lead:

• Created, led and delivered a new, cost-neutral, chargeback (internal agency) headhunting model that supported our owner-operated Co-op.
• Expanded this to include further services such as job ad copywriting, screening services, interview design and delivery and org structure and hiring policy reviews
• Identified, led, and transformed ATS updates to the store network across Foodstuffs North Island.
  

Ownership Lead:

• Built and delivered a long-term strategy to ensure the future success of the Trainee Operator Program (TOP), providing a solid pipeline, diversity and continuous improvement
• Advised and engaged with executive leadership to impact positive outcomes for the cooperative
• Acted as the critical point of contact within Foodstuffs as the leading technical specialist for TOP selection, driving robust talent conversations
• Overall 40% reduction of nominees, with a 50% higher return of successful nominees
• Delivered the D&I strategy for future owner operators - achieving a 100% increase in female store ownership during my time.

• Engaged and partnered with business leaders to understand hiring requirements and formulate successful talent acquisition strategies
• Prepared and executed innovative and forward-thinking recruiting strategies
• Reviewed applications, candidate backgrounds, skills, compensation needs and other qualifications
• Saved the Corporate BU over $400k in recruitment agency fees
• Built and delivered a graduate assessment center and programme for the Shared Services BU
• Encouraged internal employee growth by focusing on the talent within the organisation

• Promoted to Senior Consultant after continuously delivering commercial KPIs
• Mentored and supported junior members, running team meetings, forecasting and representing the team at manager's meetings
• Determined business development opportunities and implement effective strategies for new clients
• Managed full-cycle recruiting, including sourcing, interviewing, offering jobs and negotiating contracts

• Specialised in the recruitment of permanent Senior Accountancy & Finance roles across a range of industries
• Determined business development opportunities and implemented effective strategies for new clients
• Leveraged cold calling, in-person visits and referrals to build leads
• Managed full-cycle recruiting, including sourcing, interviewing, offering jobs and negotiating contracts
• Tailored recruitment strategies for different types of vacancies by adjusting wording, social media paths and key websites