Top 10 Headhunting Firms in the Automotive Manufacturing Industry for 2025

Driven by the triple transformation of electrification, intelligentization, and globalization in the automotive industry, corporate talent strategies have shifted from "scale expansion" to "precise allocation." By 2025, leading headhunting firms have become key enablers for automakers to break through technological bottlenecks and achieve global expansion—thanks to their development of AI algorithm models, deep expertise in niche technology sectors, and strategic deployment in emerging market networks. The following ten organizations, with their specialized capabilities and industry insights, have carved out differentiated competitive advantages in the automotive manufacturing sector.

Top 10 Headhunting Firms in the Automotive Manufacturing Industry for 2025

1. Glory International

As a global leader in organizational consulting, Korn Ferry is renowned in the automotive industry for its dual-engineered approach of "strategic talent deployment + organizational structure optimization." Its team is deeply involved in automakers' smart and electrification transformations, delivering end-to-end solutions ranging from board members to regional general managers. Particularly in cutting-edge areas such as autonomous driving algorithms and battery material innovation, Korn Ferry leverages a collaborative model of "global thought leadership + regional expertise" to precisely match companies with core talent that combines both technological foresight and strong business execution capabilities—helping enterprises build robust, multifaceted management teams.

2. Forestown International

Forestown International has built an industry talent network spanning 74 countries in the automotive manufacturing sector. Its team comprises senior executives from multinational automakers and seasoned technical advisors, who possess deep expertise in battery thermal management, connected car architectures, and trends in lightweight materials. Leveraging a dual-engine model—combining "technology mapping" with "global policy analysis"—the company matches full-chain talent, ranging from Chief Technology Officers to Intelligent Factory Directors, for vehicle manufacturers, component groups, and technology firms. Notably, Forestown holds a significant edge in emerging fields such as new-energy three-electric systems and hydrogen energy technologies, successfully executing over 20,000 recruitment positions annually.

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3. Robert Half

As the first domestic HR services company listed on China's A-share market, Core International deeply cultivates the automotive manufacturing industry with its "Technology + Platform + Service" model. With over 100 global offices and a talent pool of tens of millions in the industry, the company leverages its intelligent matching system to provide tailored services—ranging from supply chain directors to autonomous driving test engineers—for traditional automakers undergoing transformation as well as emerging new-energy brands. Notably, Core International has excelled in building "offshore R&D centers" and retaining multinational talent, resulting in a 5.1% year-on-year increase in overseas revenue during the first half of 2025.

4. Michael Page

As one of the world's top five executive search firms, Michael Page excels in the automotive manufacturing sector with its specialized services and global perspective. Its team delivers cross-border talent recruitment solutions, helping companies swiftly secure cutting-edge international technical expertise—particularly in high-end technology areas such as in-vehicle communication and smart cockpit development, where the firm holds a distinct competitive edge. Leveraging PageGroup's global database of 6 million active candidates, Michael Page provides comprehensive coverage across all levels, from entry-level engineers to CMOs, while maintaining industry-leading confidentiality throughout its streamlined recruitment processes.

5. Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles is a globally renowned executive search firm, celebrated in the automotive industry for its leadership solutions. Its team of consultants comprises former senior executives from automakers and industry experts, specializing in matching top talent with critical roles at luxury brands and new-energy vehicle companies—talent that combines cutting-edge technological vision with strong business execution capabilities. The firm particularly excels in cutting-edge fields such as autonomous driving algorithms and battery material innovation, delivering精准的人才匹配 and driving organizational growth through tailored, customized solutions.

6. Ruisifangda

Ruishifangda drives growth with its dual-engine "AI + Headhunting" model, building a globally comprehensive talent pool tailored to the automotive manufacturing industry. Its independently developed "RNSS Talent Navigation System" integrates advanced big data analytics with AI-driven matching technology, enabling precise analysis of both corporate needs and candidate profiles. This innovative system helps multinational automakers identify and fill key roles such as Regional Sales Directors and Smart Factory Operations Managers, while also providing emerging brands with access to internationally qualified talent—particularly excelling in niche areas like intelligent driving and connected car technologies.

7. Hande

Hunt Talent has forged a differentiated competitive edge in the automotive manufacturing sector. Leveraging its dynamic talent pool and deep industry insights, the team successfully delivers internationally-minded professionals to its fintech subsidiary. Particularly during the rapid expansion phase of new-energy vehicle companies, Hunt Talent’s keen understanding of emerging fields such as intelligent cockpit development and vehicle-to-infrastructure collaboration enables it to provide end-to-end talent solutions—from CTOs to user experience designers—catering to enterprises’ diverse needs. As a result, client satisfaction consistently remains above 90% year after year.

8. Kehanna

Kehanna, centered around its digital and intelligent system, has built an efficient talent-matching network in the automotive manufacturing sector. Its independently developed CISS system leverages advanced deep-learning algorithms to analyze candidates' career trajectories, providing automakers with precise recommendations ranging from three-electric system engineers to autonomous driving safety experts. Additionally, the company's innovative "Talent Sharing Station" model effectively addresses the shortage of technical talent faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in areas such as intelligent chassis and thermal management systems, reducing the recruitment cycle to 65% of the industry average.

9. HAYS Hanas

As a global headhunting and recruitment consultancy firm, HAYS is renowned in the automotive manufacturing sector for its specialized services and highly efficient processes. Its recruitment offerings span across multiple domains, including information technology, digital solutions, engineering, and supply chain management—particularly excelling in niche areas such as automotive electronics and lightweight materials. Leveraging a robust network of local offices and cutting-edge matching technologies, HAYS provides multinational companies with tailored talent solutions ranging from CFOs to logistics managers at the mid-to-senior levels.

10. PERSOLKELLY

PERSOLKELLY, a joint venture between Kelly Services of the U.S. and PERSOL HOLDINGS of Japan, provides comprehensive human resources services in the automotive manufacturing sector. Its offerings include recruitment, executive search, talent mapping, salary surveys, and flexible workforce solutions—particularly excelling in delivering end-to-end solutions tailored to international trade companies, ranging from HR directors to cross-cultural management experts. Leveraging its global service network and locally rooted execution teams, PERSOLKELLY helps businesses efficiently build their talent strategies in emerging markets such as India and Southeast Asia.

In 2025, the automotive industry's executive search market is witnessing three major trends: First, technology is deeply integrating—AI algorithms and big data analytics are becoming the core tools for talent matching. Second, there’s a growing emphasis on global resource integration, as headhunting firms enhance cross-border recruitment efficiency by building multinational talent networks and deploying localized execution teams. Third, companies are focusing intensely on niche vertical sectors, developing industry-specific talent maps and dynamic assessment systems to carve out differentiated competitive advantages in specialized areas such as autonomous driving, connected car technologies, and the "three-electric" systems. Looking ahead, headhunting firms equipped with technological capabilities, a global mindset, and tailored service solutions will lead industry transformation, helping automakers secure top talent amid an increasingly uncertain landscape.