DUNSTEEL
First Business Development Manager
Built Through Executive Search
When Dunsteel decided to invest in its first dedicated Business Development Manager, they needed a strategic search partner to identify someone capable of driving long-term growth.
ABOUT DUNSTEEL
Dunsteel is a well-established Australian supplier of steel and industrial products, servicing customers across a range of commercial and industrial sectors. Having successfully grown through reputation, relationships and repeat business, the company identified an opportunity to accelerate growth by creating its first dedicated Business Development Manager position.
This was a pivotal hire that would shape the future direction of the business.
The challenge
Unlike replacing an existing employee, Dunsteel was creating a brand-new role. There was no benchmark for success, no previous candidate profile and no established recruitment process for the position.
Having partnered with recruitment agencies for other positions previously, they wanted a more strategic and consultative approach for this critical appointment.
They needed a recruitment partner who could:
- Define the ideal candidate profile from the ground up
- Conduct a rigorous executive-style search rather than rely on job advertising
- Target passive candidates with proven business development success
- Assess commercial capability, cultural fit and long-term potential
- Deliver confidence that their first BDM would become a long-term growth driver
Services Used: retained executive search, permanent recruitment, executive headhunting, market mapping
The solution
Recognising the importance of getting this hire right the first time, Dunsteel chose Sales HQ to conduct the search on a retained basis.
Sales HQ partnered closely with Dunsteel to build the role profile, map the market and execute a targeted executive search focused on high-performing business development professionals. The retained model enabled a thorough, proactive and confidential process that prioritised quality over quantity.
By taking an executive search approach, we identified and engaged passive candidates who would never have applied through traditional recruitment channels.
For Dunsteel, we delivered:
- A retained executive search for a business-critical first hire
- Market mapping and targeted headhunting of passive talent
- Consultation to define the ideal Business Development Manager profile
- A rigorous assessment process focused on capability, culture and long-term fit
- A successful appointment within a short timeframe
Within a short timeframe, Dunsteel successfully appointed its first dedicated Business Development Manager, giving the business a commercial leader focused on new business growth and a foundation for future expansion.
The Results
Business impact
The success of the search reinforced the value of a retained recruitment model for business-critical appointments.
1
First Business Development Manager appointed
1
Retained executive search engagement
1
Appointment in a short timeframe
