Mexico recruiters are optimistic despite Mexican manufacturing contracting.

Headhunters in Mexico remain optimistic despite the contraction reflected in the IHS Markit Mexico Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the third month out of the last five.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – Headhunters in Mexico remain optimistic despite the contraction reflected in the IHS Markit Mexico Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the third month out of the last five. The PMI index is an indicator of economic health for the manufacturing and service sectors.

The IHS Markit Mexico Manufacturing PMI slipped to 49.8 in March from 52.6 in February. A reading above 50 signals expansion in the sector, while a reading below that threshold points to contraction.

The optimism among the headhunters (as executive recruiters are often called) comes from the same index in February posting its strongest pace of growth in 13 months. Mexico sends about 80 percent of its exports, primarily manufactured goods like cars and other industrial products, to the United States.

An internal survey among Mexico recruiters and consultants at Alder Koten, a leading executive search firm in Mexico, reflects an uptick in new searches from manufacturing clients. “There was more uncertainty when negotiations over the new shape of the North American Free Trade were taking place. Clients held back and they are now confident about the hires they need,” said Silvia Flores, an executive recruiter in the maquiladora and manufacturing practice of Alder Koten in Mexico.

ABOUT JOSE J. RUIZ

Jose Ruiz serves as Alder Koten’s Chief Executive Officer providing vision, strategic direction and the roadmap for the executive recruiting firm’s future. He is also involved in executive search work focused on board members, CEOs and senior-level executives; and consulting engagements related to leadership and organizational effectiveness helping clients create thriving cultures. An important part of his time is spent on research work focused on organizational effectiveness centered on leadership and culture. Prior to joining Alder Koten, Jose was a Principal with Heidrick & Struggles’ Global Industrial Practice based in Houston, TX and Monterrey, Mexico. His professional experience also includes leadership positions in engineering and operations management for manufacturing organizations in the US and Mexico. This experience includes serving as vice president and general manager at Holley Performance Products. Jose serves on the board of Shelmex and on America’s Council of the Association of Executive Search Consultants where he also chairs the Boutique and Independent Search Firm Forum.

Jose holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and electrical engineering from the Instituto Technologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Jose can be reached at jose.ruiz@alderkoten or at his office in Houston +1 (713) 476–9000

ABOUT ALDER KOTEN

Alder Koten has recruiters and research teams in Mexico and the United States. The firm was founded in 2011. Its headquarters are located in Houston and it has offices in Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City with partner firms in New York, Boston, Chicago, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and United Kingdom. Alder Koten recruiters serve multiple industries including automotive, building products, construction & projects, consumer markets, energy & chemicals, equipment & industrial products, financial services, life sciences, medical devices, maquiladora, mining & metals, professional services, renewable resources, technology, and transportation & logistics. The firm is a proud standing member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants. The Association of Executive Search Consultants was founded in 1959 as the Association of Executive Recruiting Consultants (AERC) for the dual purposes of creating a professional association for the most competent and reputable search firms, and for providing clients and prospective clients a means by which to differentiate qualified and ethical practitioners.