IFDA Report: The Roadmap to Hiring Top Talent Using a Data-Driven Approach

International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) and Carnegie Mellon University Team Up

Foodservice distributors often say this is the tightest labor market in decades.  To further complicate matters, the operation is under constant pressure as workers are out on sick leave or are afraid to come into work. To recruit employees, many are turning to conventional practices.  But despite hosting job fairs, sponsoring driving academies, and introducing pop-up schools, distribution companies are still seeing mixed results with respect to the quality of job candidate.

Is there a way to address the problem?

In a recent report, IFDA teamed up with Carnegie Mellon University’s Master’s of Statistical Practice Program to examine challenges and opportunities in recruiting warehouse and driver positions. The report identifies serval key questions including:

• Which sourcing channel provides candidates that are most likely to get hired?
• What types of applicants tend to apply early / late?
• What is the average time to hire for each job role?
• What are the common traits of hired applicants?
• What types of employees are more likely to stay at the company for more than 6 months?
• What is the number of qualified applicants per hire?

While noting there is “no silver bullet”, the full report lays out how foodservice distributors can leverage job applicant data collection and analysis to gain insight that would ultimately lead to more efficient recruiting and hiring practices. Head over to the IFDA Website to check out the full report.

*Note: you must be an IFDA Member to download the report on the IFDA website