By Sarah Walker
After more than 30 years working in operational and engineering management, Aycliffe-based Steven Turnbull still has the “fire in his belly” to give 110% wherever he goes.
Steven, who is passionate about helping businesses improve their operational management processes – as well as recruiting the right person for the permanent job – is applying his decades of experience to making a success of his new venture, Steven Turnbull Resource.
His work will see him take up the role of interim manager for firms with a gap in their management resources, while he helps the business improve their current structure and culture, before recruiting the right permanent replacement for the team.
It’s a cost-effective solution for businesses, who get the benefit of someone working in the vacant role, at the same time as looking for the right new person to slot into the team permanently.
Steven explains: “I offer interim management to help a company if they are short of a manager and it’s putting a management team under pressure.
“I can bridge that gap and I can also help them to recruit.
“The benefit of this approach is that I would be working in the position and would understand exactly what type of character is required – and I could go out and headhunt that person.”
Steve also helps the teams he works with improve and become more efficient, empowering staff and analysing their current structure and working practices.
He draws on more than 30 years’ experience, during which he held lots of high-profile positions with four employers, gaining promotion several times as a long-standing employee.
It’s this kind of ability that left Steven feeling like he had “more to give” when he began working solely as a recruiter.
“I know what it takes to stay within a company for a long time and be successful,” he says.
“As a recruiting interim manager, I would cost no more than that person being in position, so I could help the company get the right people in place and work for them in the interim until that happens, without putting the company under any pressure from a costs point of view.”
Steven’s recent work has seen him plug a gap in management at Stellex Manufacturing in Morpeth, where he is also recruiting for the role he is currently working in on a temporary basis.
“I’m going to induct the successful candidate and stay with him for a month to make sure he settles right in,” Steven says.
“I’ve also been able to support the company to restructure how the workforce operates in terms of empowerment, who can now have the courage to make their own decisions.
“They’ve come a long way in the three months I’ve been there – things are really starting to happen now and they are doing really well.
“I’ve also recently completed a project management assignment with Modern Precision Engineering in Aycliffe, which enabled MPE to avoid the long-term cost of employing a full-time project manager, demonstrating its not all about recruitment.
For Steven, this is the most satisfying part of running his business, as an “inclusive leader” who enjoys watching teams and people grow and developing a positive culture within businesses.
“People are the most important thing to me,” he says.
“I enjoy talking to and developing people and watching them grow within the business.
“Firms might say “I need a production manager” but they are not looking at why they need them – that’s something where I can add value, supporting them to recruit the right person, who will be there for a long time, rather than recruiting over and over again.”
Steven is excited about the prospect of working with companies on his doorstep across Aycliffe Business Park.
“For any companies that have a gap in their management team, I’m a local resource,” he says.
“I’m happy with where it’s going – there has been work available from day one and it’s developing.
“I’m hoping to be able to help more companies in the local area recruit the managers of the future and continue to make a positive contribution to local industry.”
• To enquire about Steven Turnbull’s services, call 07555 753623 or email [email protected]