So, you’re an industrial business with a need for temporary labour. Chances are you’ve got an agency (or perhaps a few) you turn to, whether you need people in a hurry or simply to plan ahead with someone who just gets it.
But when was the last time you really thought about that relationship? Not just what they’re supplying – but how they’re working with you? Are they easy to get hold of? Do they keep you in the loop? Or are you constantly chasing updates, watching those WhatsApp messages sit on read, wondering if anyone’s actually on the case?
In fast-paced environments, communication isn’t a ‘nice to have’; it’s what keeps everything ticking over. When it slips, so does everything else, costing time, money… and trust. Yikes. (Spoiler: that’s usually when suppliers get switched. Fast).
What does a relationship that just works look like?
It starts with strong communication, not just between you and your agency, but all the way through to the workers onsite. When things run smoothly behind the scenes, candidates show up informed, ready, and far more likely to stick around. It might seem obvious, but that kind of consistency is rare – and when you find it, you hang on like your reputation depends on it. Because let’s face it, it probably does.
You might have seen it happen in real time: suppliers start strong, then vanish. Updates become vague, calls go unanswered, and suddenly you’re being ghosted faster than you were by your latest match on a certain dating app.
The good ones? You don’t have to chase them. They’re already on the phone before things go pear-shaped. They flag issues before you spot them, make sure nothing slips through the cracks, and actually listen when you feed back. That’s what open communication with your staffing suppliers should look like as standard.
Why it matters in industrial recruitment more than ever
Industrial sites are busy, and busy operations don’t always have the internal resource to deal with the day-to-day niggles brought about by temporary labour: monitoring shift swaps, chasing no-shows, and repeating the job spec for what feels like the hundredth time. Let’s be honest – it’s not exactly the best use of your time, right? Effective staffing communication is essential to keep operations moving without the constant firefighting.
When a supplier picks up on the first ring, or even offers to go onsite to help lessen the load, it makes a world of difference. And that’s just the kind of relationship you can expect when you partner with gap personnel. We’re looking to develop and nurture relationships built on great communication, solid delivery, and mutual trust.
Is your current setup working hard enough for you?
There’s a difference between a supplier and a partner. And at the heart of it is smart supplier relationship management. A partner shows up, stays in touch, and sorts problems before they land in your lap. And when you have a responsive recruitment partner who understands that delivering this as standard is simply good business, not high maintenance, you can focus on what matters most – moving your business forward.
Are you ready for a partnership that just works? Get in touch with our team today.
