Pete Tam, TA Enablement Manager, Ocado Group

Adam spoke with Pete about recruiter enablement. Here's the summary:
Pete's Background:
Pete transitioned from a career in sports science and personal training to recruitment over 10 years ago, leveraging skills such as coaching, communication, and negotiation
His recruitment career began in agency work, then moved in-house, eventually leading to his current role as TA Enablement Manager at Ocado Group
Transition to TA Enablement:
Pete’s experience as a recruiter and team builder, particularly during high-growth periods like the pandemic, prepared him for enablement responsibilities
He emphasized curiosity, questioning the status quo, and focusing on process improvement as essential traits for transitioning into enablement
Key Responsibilities in TA Enablement:
1. Reporting and Data Analysis:
Developed interactive dashboards to track recruiter productivity, time-to-hire, and other KPIs
Emphasized presenting data as a tool for improvement, not critique, fostering a supportive environment
2. Tooling and Process Optimization:
Led efforts to optimize ATS, CRM, and other tools, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
Built scalable systems to handle fluctuations in recruitment demands while maintaining efficiency
3. Global Collaboration:
Managed recruitment processes across diverse regions with unique cultural and operational nuances
Fostered a community among recruiters embedded in different departments, ensuring alignment and knowledge sharing
4. Cost Efficiency:
Evaluated tools and processes for cost-effectiveness while balancing innovation with budget constraints
Insights for TA Leaders:
Begin enablement initiatives by surveying recruiters to understand pain points and align goals
Focus on data accuracy and utility to inform decisions
Recognize that enablement involves both strategic oversight and operational improvements
Future Directions:
Although many processes are now business-as-usual, Pete is focusing on continuous improvement in candidate experience and time-to-hire metrics
Emphasizes adaptability and iterative enhancements to meet evolving organizational needs
Unique Organizational Structure:
At Ocado, recruiters report to business units rather than a centralized TA function, which aligns recruitment with business objectives but requires robust collaboration tools and strategies
The discussion underscored the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and a data-driven approach in creating impactful TA enablement initiatives.