HTI takes necessary steps to hire new talent to mesh with customer needs.
When HTI sets out to find new employees for its plastics operations, as any company does, we look for certain qualities and qualifications. We want to make sure new members of our team fit into our already-successful business units. We spend extra time and carefully consider candidates to match them with specific plastics manufacturing requirements. Most of all, we keep our customers in mind—the right new people for us are those who fit seamlessly into our work with customers.
The Importance of Talent as an Asset
HTI knows both new and existing employees are a great asset to the company. When customers work with our associates, we want them to feel our employees work so well with them they could be members of their own staffs. “The right person fits smoothly into our own operation, so well the customer shouldn’t even know the person is a new hire,” said Troy Just, President of HTI. “There should be no visible learning curve when it comes to employees working with our customers.”
According to Just, an effort to assure employees fit within HTI’s operation doesn’t stop with hiring the right people. The work environment needs to be comfortable and supportive, so employees can focus on customers’ products.
HTI doesn’t follow one model of hiring, because each position is unique. We look for general traits: people with a good attitude, people who are goal-driven, and people who enjoy challenges, for example. We appreciate a candidate who is creative and energetic. Above all, it is imperative that a new hire blends in well with our culture.
Challenges and Expectations in Hiring for Manufacturing
In the plastics manufacturing industry, new hires really do have to possess fitting technical skills and be proficient in specific equipment they will use in the position. They also must be able to learn the ins and outs of the position quickly. These requirements can make it difficult to find the right employees.
In addition, HTI has faced the challenge of low unemployment rates in the region. With fewer people seeking work, the best candidates are difficult to woo. Once we find a good candidate, we need to be confident in our selections. We don’t want to have to go through the hiring process again right away. We ask candidates to complete an industry trade test, and we use Profile XP, a performance monitoring tool. Both of these resources verify the skillset a new hire can bring to the position.
Reviewing the Reviewers
For the most part, HTI hiring practices are the same as any other manufacturer’s. It sounds simple: hire the right person for the right position. However, we have learned how important it is to hire the right person the first time. For that reason, HTI’s hiring process is always under review and evolving. We don’t mind, because it allows us to find the highest caliber of employees to support the highest quality products and services.