Copper Quail Global that specializes in engineering and manufacturing recruitment and headhunting. We have a dedicated team of industry professionals who bring both hands-on technical and practical experience in sectors like heavy manufacturing and large-scale engineering projects. Our expertise spans a wide range of sub-industries, including FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), EPC (engineering, procurement & construction), offshore engineering projects, and heavy industry operations.

Our team consists of industry leaders and experts who are highly qualified and experienced in the engineering and manufacturing sector. In response to rapid advancements in technology and shifts in the global manufacturing landscape, we have continually adapted our division to stay current with industry knowledge and expanded our reach to a truly global standard. The demand for specialized engineering talent has grown not just in Africa but worldwide, and we have risen to the occasion by attracting top talent for our clients across various sub-sectors—covering countries like Kenya, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, UAE, Qatar, Morocco, and Mauritius. We have placed professionals ranging from CFOs of major manufacturing firms to entire teams of engineers for large EPC projects by leveraging our unrivaled market reach and technical understanding of these industries.

Copper Quail is proud to be one of the premier recruitment agencies in the engineering & manufacturing space, with a team that includes members who have personally managed manufacturing plants and led infrastructure projects in Africa. We have successfully placed more than 10 high-level engineering professionals within just a couple of months for a new client – a testament to our agility and vast talent network. We assist multiple clients across 40+ African countries, in 4 Middle Eastern countries, and in 10+ European countries, and have partnered with companies from Australia, Canada, the USA, and several parts of Asia – demonstrating our truly global reach. We are proud to have played a pivotal role in securing top talent such as project directors, plant managers, operations executives, design and construction engineers, quality control managers, and chief financial officers for a spectrum of organizations including multinational manufacturers, industrial conglomerates, EPC contractors, infrastructure developers, and fast-moving consumer goods producers.

Our team is constantly growing our knowledge base and building solid networks within the engineering and manufacturing sectors by continuously researching new technologies, further educating ourselves, and conducting in-person visits to project sites and factories in the regions where our clients operate.

We can assist any engineering or manufacturing company globally—whether it’s a large-scale offshore industrial project in need of specialized technical professionals, or a manufacturing firm looking to hire a new CFO, Copper Quail can assist.

We are committed to being the best at finding the very best engineering and manufacturing professionals for our clients.

Case Studies

Successful CFO Placement for a Manufacturing Company in Kenya

Client: Confidential – Leading Manufacturing Company (Kenya
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Position Filled: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Sector: Manufacturing (Industrial/FMCG)
Project Duration: 6 Weeks
Services Provided: Executive Search (Retained)

Background
Our client, a prominent manufacturing company in Kenya, was entering a phase of rapid expansion and needed a seasoned Chief Financial Officer to steer their financial strategy. The company required a financial leader who could not only manage complex budgeting and reporting for a growing multi-country operation, but also work closely with the CEO to drive strategic investments and operational efficiency in a competitive manufacturing sector.

The Challenge
The client faced several challenges in their search for an ideal CFO:

• Local Insight with Global Standards: They needed a finance executive intimately familiar with Kenyan regulatory requirements and business culture, yet capable of implementing global best practices in financial planning and corporate governance. Such dual expertise is rare in the local market.
• Strategic Growth Leadership: The new CFO would be tasked with securing funding for expansion, optimizing cross-border financial operations, and guiding the company through potential mergers or acquisitions. Finding a candidate with a proven track record in scaling businesses in the manufacturing industry was critical.
• Cultural Fit and Stakeholder Management: The candidate had to mesh well with the company’s leadership team and its ethos. Moreover, they needed excellent communication skills to engage with diverse stakeholders – from local employees and suppliers to international investors and board members.

Having successfully filled executive roles in similar contexts, Copper Quail was engaged to conduct a discreet and thorough executive search for this pivotal position.

Our Approach
Comprehensive Briefing: We began by consulting closely with the company’s CEO and board to understand their strategic goals, company culture, and the specific competencies required for the CFO role. This detailed briefing ensured we targeted candidates who not only had strong technical finance skills but also aligned with the company’s vision and values.

Targeted Talent Search: Leveraging our extensive network, we identified and approached top CFO-caliber professionals across Africa and beyond. We paid particular attention to diaspora Kenyan finance leaders and regional experts who had experience with multinational manufacturing or FMCG companies. Our search combined meticulous market mapping with headhunting – reaching out to candidates who were not actively on the job market but fit the profile perfectly.

Rigorous Evaluation: Over a span of just a few weeks, we vetted and interviewed a shortlist of highly qualified individuals. Each candidate was assessed for technical expertise in financial management, proven ability to support business growth, leadership style, and cultural fit with the organization. We also conducted thorough reference checks focusing on their impact in previous roles.

The Outcome
Within 6 weeks, Copper Quail successfully placed a Kenyan-born CFO with over 15 years of international and regional experience in the manufacturing and consumer goods sectors. This individual had a strong background in financial restructuring and growth management, having led finance teams across East Africa and delivered improved profitability for a global FMCG company. The new CFO hit the ground running – implementing enhanced financial controls, introducing robust forecasting processes, and mentoring the existing finance team. In the first 100 days, the company saw improved cash flow management and greater confidence from investors and auditors, laying a solid foundation for its expansion plans.

Client Testimonial
“Copper Quail understood our needs right from the start. They didn’t just present us with qualified CVs – they delivered a CFO who fits our organization’s culture and drives our strategy forward. In a short time, our new CFO has tightened our financial operations and brought invaluable strategic insight. We consider this placement transformative for our business.”

— CEO, Leading Kenyan Manufacturing Firm