How do you match candidates to the right opportunities?

Our priority is fit, not speed. We take time to understand your background, goals, and motivations, then provide clear insight into each opportunity so you're only considered for roles that truly align with your experience and ambitions.

What types of roles and industries do you specialise in?

We specialise in senior, specialist, and leadership appointments across the markets we serve. Our focus is on roles where experience, judgement, and cultural alignment are critical — typically mid- to senior-level management through to executive and board appointments.

How does working with Irving Knight benefit me?

You'll gain honest market insight, access to high-quality opportunities, and clear guidance throughout the process. Our aim is simple: to help you make the right move, at the right time, with confidence.

Do I need to pay for your services?

No. Our services are completely free for candidates. We are retained by our client partners to manage their hiring processes, meaning there is never a cost to you at any stage. Our role is to represent your interests professionally, provide guidance throughout the process, and help you assess opportunities objectively — without any financial obligation.

Will using your services put me at a disadvantage compared to direct applicants?

No — if anything, it gives you an advantage. We provide context, insight, and advocacy that ensure your experience and motivations are clearly understood from the outset. Our role is to strengthen your candidacy and guide you through a transparent, well-managed process.

What makes Irving Knight different from other recruitment firms?

We operate as a retained, partnership-led search firm rather than a transactional recruiter. That means fewer searches, deeper engagement, and a far higher level of commitment to outcomes. By combining sector specialism, market intelligence, and a disciplined search methodology, we deliver hires that are aligned not only to role requirements, but to culture, strategy, and long-term growth plans.

How do you find and assess candidates?

We don't rely on databases or job advertising alone. Our searches are driven by proactive market mapping, targeted outreach, and insight gained from long-standing sector networks. Candidates are assessed on capability, leadership style, cultural alignment, and long-term potential — not just CV fit — ensuring a robust and well-informed shortlist.

How do you approach confidential searches?

Confidentiality is fundamental to how we operate. Every search is handled with discretion, clear communication, and controlled market engagement. As your representative in the market, we protect your brand, manage messaging carefully, and ensure sensitive information is only shared when appropriate — safeguarding both your business and your candidates throughout the process.

What is your success rate in filling roles?

Our retained model is designed to deliver outcomes, not volume. Because we invest the time to fully understand the role, the business, and the wider context, we achieve a consistently high completion rate across our searches. More importantly, our focus is on long-term retention and impact, not short-term placement metrics.

What happens if a hire doesn't work out?

While our process is designed to minimise risk, we recognise that circumstances can change. In the rare event a placement doesn't succeed, we work closely with our client to address the situation and agree the most appropriate next steps. Our commitment is to the partnership and the outcome — not just the initial hire.

For more information on our Automation services, get in touch with

Jack Purnell

Business Manager

Hundreds of 'Excellent' reviews

Automation Executive Search

Helping Automation companies unlock their next stage of growth

Specialisms We Cover

AGV AMR AMRs & AGVs ASRS Automatic Identification Automation Instrumentation Automation Sensors Automation Software Components Data Capture Factory Automation Intralogistics Material Handling Micro-Fulfillment Motion Control Piece Picking Robot PLC, HMI, & SCADA Process Automation Process Control Robotics System Integration Warehouse Automation Warehouse Drones Warehouse Robotics

The global industrial and warehouse automation market exceeds $300 billion in value and continues to grow, driven by labour shortages, supply-chain optimisation, and rapid advances in robotics, controls, and smart logistics.

Industrial and warehouse automation has become a critical enabler of efficiency, resilience, and scalability across manufacturing, logistics, and distribution environments. As businesses respond to rising labour costs, skills shortages, and increasing demand for speed and accuracy, automation technologies—from robotics and material handling systems to controls, vision, and warehouse management software—are being adopted at pace.

We support organisations operating across the full automation ecosystem, including manufacturers, systems integrators, technology providers, and end users. Our team understands the technical, operational, and commercial complexity involved in deploying automation at scale. By aligning specialist engineering, operational, and leadership talent with business objectives, we help our clients design, implement, and optimise automation strategies that deliver measurable, long-term impact.

The right talent is becoming harder to source and hire.

As the automation industry continues to expand at pace, demand for professionals with expertise in automation technologies is increasing faster than the available talent pool. This skills imbalance has intensified competition for qualified candidates, making it essential to work with a partner who understands the market and can help you differentiate your opportunity. We work closely with clients to position roles effectively and secure the talent needed to compete and grow.

Given the technical complexity of the automation sector, working with a specialist recruiter who understands both the role requirements and your business from the outset is critical. A deep knowledge of the market, combined with an established network, ensures the search is focused and effective. This level of expertise is often the difference between a successful hire and a prolonged, misaligned process.

Team

Jack Purnell

Business Manager

Guy Taylor

Senior Consultant

Case Study

Scaling US Growth for a Global Warehouse Automation Leader

In 2025–2026, a European-headquartered warehouse automation systems integrator accelerated its US expansion to meet surging demand across e-commerce and supply chain markets. Specialising in AS/RS, AMRs, robotic picking and WMS integration, the business targeted key logistics hubs including Atlanta and Chicago. However, rapid market growth—fuelled by labour shortages and automation investment—created intense competition for talent. Facing a 90-day average time-to-hire, limited diverse candidate pipelines, geographic constraints for on-site engineering roles, and competition from major employers offering premium salaries, the company required a strategic partner capable of delivering at pace without compromising quality.

Case Study

Scaling US Growth for a Global Warehouse Automation Leader

Over a 12-month partnership, Irving Knight delivered 25 critical hires across controls engineering, robotics integration, project management, technical sales and solution architecture. Time-to-hire was reduced by 40%, while 92% of placements remained in role beyond six months—significantly outperforming industry averages. Our targeted search strategy also supported the client’s DEI objectives, achieving 35% female representation and 25% minority hires across placements. The strengthened leadership and delivery teams directly contributed to securing over $50M in new contracts, positioning the organisation for sustained US growth.

Download our brochure

Learn more about our services, approach and the sectors we operate in.

Did you know?

Hiring the wrong candidate costs more than just time—it can waste salary, training resources, and opportunities. The Department of Labour estimates a bad hire can cost up to 30% of the role’s first-year earnings.

We hire right

Organisations are often reluctant to use external recruiters due the percieved cost. Think about it like this - what financial benefit could a top candidate bring to your business unit? You could make a 100x return on your investment.

97% Placement Rate 1
1.78:1 CVs Sent to Interviews 2
Avg. 32 Day Engagement to Placement 3

1. Based on all roles engaged on by a client on an exclusive basis from Jan 4 2025 - Dec 31 2025.

2. All CVs Sent from Jan 4 2025 - Dec 31 2025.

3. From Jan 4 2025 - Dec 31 2025.

Stats

387 active opportunities

1,908 placements made across 25 sectors

262,736 companies in our CRM

"At Irving Knight, we don't just fill positions; we build lasting partnerships. Our commitment to understanding your unique needs ensures that we deliver leaders who drive success and embody your company's values. When it comes to identifying the high-performers of tomorrow, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Our bespoke approach ensures every search is personal, diverse, and tailored from the ground up — delivering an individual, unrivalled experience for both clients and candidates. "

- Joe Davey, Group CEO of Irving Knight Group

Vincent Dehousse

Head of Sales & Marketing, Netherlands

Great experience working with Cian from Irving Knight—professional, responsive, and genuinely supportive. Highly reco...

Cian ODonnell

CDMO & CRO

Dipen Shah

Account Manager, Canada

I was assisted by Aiden Kerr on getting a new job in the chemical industry. He was fantastic in terms of timing, comm...

Aidan Kerr

Chemicals

Ashley Maclean

Systems Sales Engineer, South Carolina

Jack Purnell with Irving Knight was the best recruiter I’ve worked with - by far. He communicated clearly, was respec...

Jack Purnell

Material Handling & Automation

Franz-Leo Nedo

Territory Sales Manager

Joseph is an expert in recruting people. He has in-depth practical knowledge and helpful by solving potential issues....

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Nika Kuchaidze

Senior Continuous Improvement Chemist, US

It was a pleasure working with Joseph on transitioning to a position with a new company. Communication was prompt,...

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Daniel Villanueva

Key Account Manager

Joseph is a dedicated professional and a stand up person to work with. His patience and his understanding certainly s...

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Kerry Maye

Regional Sales Manager

Working with Joseph was a wonderfully positive experience from our first contact, through acceptance of my job offer....

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Nathan Radue

Channel Marketing Manager, US

Oliver is a thorough and effective recruiter, representing both sides with character and solid communication. He appr...

Oliver Kiddy

Flavors & Fragrances

Corinne Grice

Strategic Account Manager, US

Luca was an absolute gem to work with ! He reached out to me on linkedin with several different opportunities & was a...

Luca Dowdell

Lubricants, Oil & Gas

Kay Witte

Global Director Performance Excellence

Joseph was instrumental in making my last professional opportunity happen. He was easy to work with, responsive, and ...

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Jane Scates

Packaging Engineer, US

Henry was a true professional, perfect attention to detail at every step of the process. Would definitely recommend!

Henry Spooner

Packaging, Paper, Recycling

Andrew Coutts

Director Global Strategy, US

First Class Service Emma shared details of a relevant opportunity and did a great job helping to manage lengthy nego...

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Brian Carpenter

VP Continous Improvement, US

Stewart was instrumental in helping me through this process and alleviating my concerns as I’ve been out of the workf...

Stewart Boyd

Stewart Boyd

Construction Materials & Mining

Rishi Sarkar

Environmental Process Engineer, US

Irving Knight helped place me with a company that I could have a positive impact on that aligned with my career goals...

Irving Knight Group delivers executive search across 20+ core industries.

Jack Purnell

Helping Automation companies unlock their next stage of growth

Specialisms We Cover

The global industrial and warehouse automation market exceeds $300 billion in value and continues to grow, driven by labour shortages, supply-chain optimisation, and rapid advances in robotics, controls, and smart logistics.

The right talent is becoming harder to source and hire.

Team

Jack Purnell

Guy Taylor

Scaling US Growth for a Global Warehouse Automation Leader

Scaling US Growth for a Global Warehouse Automation Leader

Download our brochure

Did you know?

We hire right

Stats

Vincent Dehousse

Head of Sales & Marketing, Netherlands

Cian ODonnell

CDMO & CRO

Dipen Shah

Account Manager, Canada

Aidan Kerr

Chemicals

Ashley Maclean

Systems Sales Engineer, South Carolina

Jack Purnell

Material Handling & Automation

Franz-Leo Nedo

Territory Sales Manager

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Nika Kuchaidze

Senior Continuous Improvement Chemist, US

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Daniel Villanueva

Key Account Manager

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Kerry Maye

Regional Sales Manager

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Nathan Radue

Channel Marketing Manager, US

Oliver Kiddy

Flavors & Fragrances

Corinne Grice

Strategic Account Manager, US

Luca Dowdell

Lubricants, Oil & Gas

Kay Witte

Global Director Performance Excellence

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Jane Scates

Packaging Engineer, US

Henry Spooner

Packaging, Paper, Recycling

Andrew Coutts

Director Global Strategy, US

Emma Conlin

Animal Health

Anja Florbach

Digital & Commercial Excellence Manager

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Rania Metwall

Head of Sales, France

Luca Dowdell

Lubricants, Oil & Gas

Veronica Hagborg

Senior Director Global HR, Sweden

Joseph Davey

Group CEO

Lucas Quadflieg

Sales Manager, Netherlands

Aidan Kerr

Chemicals

Keith Parvin