Question 1

How do Surrey salary ranges for the most-recruited roles compare to national averages?

Accepted Answer

Surrey's manufacturing and logistics concentration means production supervisors and warehouse managers command salaries 8-12% below Vancouver metro averages, reflecting the suburban cost structure. Forklift operators and shipping coordinators typically earn within 5% of national averages for similar-sized markets. Supply chain planners see compression of 10-15% compared to Toronto or Montreal due to local market density. Light industrial roles align closely with BC provincial norms, though shift premiums for evening and weekend work often exceed patterns in eastern Canada by two to three dollars hourly.

Question 2

What types of roles do these Surrey recruiting agencies typically fill?

Accepted Answer

Surrey agencies concentrate heavily on light industrial, warehousing and logistics positions reflecting the city's commercial profile—forklift operators, production workers, shipping and receiving clerks, and inventory specialists. Manufacturing roles span food processing, automotive parts and general assembly work. Several firms also place administrative support, customer service and light trades positions. Given proximity to Vancouver's port and distribution networks, many agencies maintain dedicated teams for supply chain coordination roles and quality control technicians. Temporary-to-permanent placements dominate, though direct-hire services exist for supervisory manufacturing positions.

Question 3

What questions should I ask a recruiter before signing a contract?

Accepted Answer

Ask about fee structure first—contingency typically runs 20 to 25 percent of first-year salary, while retained arrangements differ. Clarify replacement guarantees if a candidate leaves within 90 days. For Surrey's dominant manufacturing and logistics sectors, confirm the recruiter's track record filling roles requiring forklift certification, WHMIS training or supply chain credentials. Request their average time-to-fill for your specific positions and ask how many qualified candidates they currently have in their database matching your requirements. Finally, establish communication cadence and who will handle your account day-to-day.

Question 4

What's typically included in a recruiting agency's fee?

Accepted Answer

Contingency fees for manufacturing and warehouse roles in Surrey typically run 15 to 25 percent of first-year salary, paid only when a hire starts. This covers candidate sourcing, screening, reference checks and offer negotiation. Temp-to-perm arrangements usually charge a conversion fee if you hire the worker permanently, often prorated by assignment length. Some agencies bundle safety compliance verification and skills testing for forklift operators or production technicians. Retained search for senior operations or logistics management positions involves upfront payments across defined project phases, with total fees reaching 25 to 33 percent of compensation.

Question 5

When does retained search make sense?

Accepted Answer

Retained search proves worthwhile for executive roles, highly specialized technical positions and confidential replacements where discretion matters. In Surrey's manufacturing and logistics sectors, companies typically use retainers when filling plant manager positions, senior supply chain directors or niche engineering roles that require dedicated research and vetting. The upfront commitment—commonly one-third of estimated first-year compensation—ensures the recruiter invests significant time in market mapping, competitor intelligence and candidate assessment rather than rushing to fill the role first.

Best Recruiting Agencies in Surrey, BC

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