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Specsavers Group: IGS, Lens Online, Vision Labs
Manufacturing & Distribution Operations Europe, Kidderminster
Sector
Manufacturing & Distribution
Service
Industrial Temporary Recruitment | Temp‑to‑Perm Workforce Solutions | Project Staffing
The Challenge
Specsavers Group operates three high‑volume manufacturing and distribution businesses in Kidderminster, supporting stores and customers across the UK and Europe. The scale and pace of these operations require a large, reliable, and flexible temporary workforce, alongside a long‑term strategy for permanent talent attraction.
Key considerations include:
Converting temporary talent into long‑term permanent hires
Achieving visibility, governance, and control across a large temporary workforce
Ensuring recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible, without compromising standards
Maintaining consistent labour levels across multiple sites
Scaling resource up and down in line with operational demand
Ensuring quality, reliability, and cultural add in a fast‑paced environment
Specsavers needed a recruitment partner who could operate not as a supplier, but as an extension of their internal team.
Our Solution
Hewett Recruitment delivers an industrial temporary workforce solution for Specsavers Group, supporting all three Kidderminster sites.
Workforce at Scale
100–150 temporary workers on site every week, primarily on temp‑to‑perm contracts
Supply of short‑term project Temps to support peak periods and specific operational requirements
Consistent coverage across manufacturing and distribution functions
This approach ensures immediate flexibility while building a long‑term pipeline of permanent talent.
Quality That Converts
A key measure of success for Specsavers is not just filling shifts, but retaining the right people.
In 2025 alone, 112 temporary workers were offered and accepted permanent contracts with Specsavers Group. This reflects:
Robust screening and briefing at the front end
Candidates who arrive well‑prepared and aligned to operational expectations
A strong match between role requirements, pace, and culture
Temp‑to‑perm is treated as a deliberate talent strategy, not a by‑product.
A True Partnership Approach
Having worked with Specsavers group since 2007, this is a long‑standing, collaborative relationship, built on trust, communication, and shared accountability.
In 2025, Hewett Recruitment and Specsavers jointly reviewed every stage of the recruitment process through the lens of inclusivity. Together, we:
Stress‑tested every candidate touch‑point
Identified and removed unnecessary barriers to entry
Ensured assessment and onboarding processes were accessible, fair, and candidate‑friendly
Maintained high operational standards while broadening access to talent
This work reinforced our shared commitment to continuous improvement and inclusive recruitment practices at scale.
Governance, Visibility & Reporting
Given the size and complexity of the contract, visibility and control are essential.
Our delivery model includes:
Weekly meetings between Hewett Recruitment and on‑site Team Leaders
A monthly Management Information (MI) pack, covering:
Temporary workforce turnover
Absence
Spend
Time‑to‑fill
Quarterly management review meetings with Hewett Directors and senior Specsavers stakeholders, using MI to inform workforce planning and decision‑making
This structure ensures transparency, accountability, and the ability to proactively respond to changing requirements.
What Specsavers Say
Lee Timbrell
Director of Manufacturing and Distribution Operations Europe
January 2026
“We’ve worked together for a long time now, and the relationship has always been built on consistent communication, trust, and a genuine understanding of our operational needs. The team at Hewett continue to provide high‑quality candidates across a range of role, in support of our three manufacturing and distribution businesses in Kidderminster. The people you put forward arrive well‑briefed, reliable, and aligned to the pace and expectations of our environment.
What really sets Hewett apart is the level of engagement and responsiveness. Communication is always clear and proactive, and the management information you provide is timely, accurate, and genuinely useful in helping us plan and adjust resource levels. That level of professionalism has been key in maintaining a smooth operation.
Our partnership has lasted because Hewett take the time to understand not only the roles, but the culture and pressures of our business. That closeness and reliability make a significant difference, especially in demanding periods. Overall, the service has been excellent, and you’ve consistently demonstrated that you’re a trusted recruitment partner who delivers.”
The Outcome
A stable, scalable industrial workforce across three sites
Strong temp‑to‑perm conversion, supporting long‑term workforce planning
Improved operational continuity during peak and high‑pressure periods
Transparent reporting and governance at both operational and senior leadership level
A genuine partnership model where Hewett Recruitment operates as an extension of the Specsavers team
Why Hewett Recruitment?
For complex, high‑volume industrial environments, Hewett Recruitment delivers more than labour supply. We provide:
Embedded partnership
Quality‑led temp‑to‑perm recruitment
Inclusive, candidate‑centred processes
Clear data, insight, and accountability
Want a Workforce Partner You Can Rely On?
If your manufacturing or distribution operation needs a trusted industrial recruitment partner, we’d love to talk.
Scale and responsiveness
Cultural alignment
Inclusive recruitment practices
Transparent reporting and governance