Jess Longstaff
Hackney,UK
Summary
Commercially focused Senior Recruitment Manager with 8+ years’ experience delivering both in-house and embedded recruitment solutions for high-growth FMCG challenger brands and corporate organisations. Proven track record of scaling teams across key growth functions, working closely with founders, leadership teams and internal stakeholders to deliver strategic hiring solutions aligned to business needs. Combines full 360 recruitment expertise with strong business development, consistently generating new opportunities through headhunting and network-led approaches. Experienced across start-up, scale-up and large in-house environments, with a reputation for driving growth, improving processes and building long-term client and stakeholder partnerships.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Senior Recruitment Manager
Ignite
London
07.2024 - 04.2026
- Senior Recruitment Manager at Ignite, partnering with high-growth challenger brands across FMCG. In just two years, have supported some of the UK’s most dynamic brands to scale their teams across key growth functions, including MOJU, Here We Flo, DASH Water and PerfectTed.
- Lead a full 360 recruitment role, delivering mid to senior-level hires across sales and commercial functions on both a permanent and fractional basis. Partner closely with founders and leadership teams to shape hiring strategy and build high-performing teams.
- Drive new business alongside managing existing client partnerships, with the majority of placements generated through headhunting and network-led approaches.
- Joined as the first employee, playing a key role in scaling the business, contributing to client acquisition, brand growth and positioning Ignite as a trusted partner within the challenger brand space.
Recruitment Manager
YF
London
08.2023 - 07.2024
- Recruitment Manager within an FMCG consultancy, supporting start-ups and challenger brands to achieve mainstream growth.
- Partnered with brands to build tailored growth strategies, providing market insight, hiring plans and recruitment strategy across commercial functions.
- Built and maintained a strong candidate network to enable rapid delivery, while supporting new business development and strengthening existing client relationships.
- Represented the business at industry events, increasing brand presence and providing market insights to clients.
Recruitment Account Manager
Randstad Inhouse Services
01.2018 - 08.2023
- Consistently promoted from Account Specialist to Site Lead to Account Manager, reflecting strong performance and leadership capability.
- Managed a team of 8 across 6 locations (North West to Scotland), ensuring full operational support and leading on all client escalations and resolutions.
- Developed long-term partnerships with CCEP, Mondelez, Heinz and ZF, delivering consistent 3% quarterly growth and achieving a 98% fulfilment rate during peak periods. Secured 5-year contract renewals with ZF and Mondelez by exceeding targets in a challenging market.
- Extensive experience across blue and white-collar recruitment, specialising in temporary models, workforce planning and pay and benefits reviews. Led recruitment strategy across multiple sites, hiring from admin to Head of Department level and supporting new business implementation.
- Delivered process improvements including automation projects saving £20k+ and payroll transformation, increasing accuracy to 98% and improving candidate experience.
- Strong financial ownership across payroll, billing and debt management, implementing client-specific processes aligned to SLAs. Also acted as Diversity Lead, delivering targeted campaigns and advising on inclusion strategies.
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Post Recruitment
11.2016 - 01.2018
- Delivered full 360 recruitment across tech and marketing roles, from business development through to placement.
- Managed and developed a junior consultant, supporting progression from resourcer to consultant.
Key Account Specialist
Randstad
06.2015 - 11.2016
- Delivered high-volume recruitment for major clients including Morrisons, British Gas and NHS, focusing on business support roles across customer service, sales and administration.
Personal Mortgage Adviser
NatWest
11.2013 - 06.2015
- CeMAP qualified mortgage adviser providing tailored, face-to-face financial advice. Managed the full customer journey, ensuring a high-quality experience throughout.
Education
Foundation Degree - History of Art
Manchester Metropolitan University
01.2009 - 01.2013
St Leonards RC Comprehensive & Sixth Form
Durham 01.2001 - 01.2008
Skills
Full 360 Recruitment
Stakeholder & Client Relationship Management
Business Development & New Client Acquisition
Headhunting & Talent Mapping
FMCG & Challenger Brand Expertise
Recruitment Strategy & Workforce Planning
Team Leadership & Development
Process Improvement & Automation
Commercial & Financial Management (Payroll, Billing, P&L awareness)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy
Timeline
Senior Recruitment Manager
Ignite
07.2024 - 04.2026
Recruitment Manager
YF
08.2023 - 07.2024
Recruitment Account Manager
Randstad Inhouse Services
01.2018 - 08.2023
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Post Recruitment
11.2016 - 01.2018
Key Account Specialist
Randstad
06.2015 - 11.2016
Personal Mortgage Adviser
NatWest
11.2013 - 06.2015
Foundation Degree - History of Art
Manchester Metropolitan University
01.2009 - 01.2013
St Leonards RC Comprehensive & Sixth Form
01.2001 - 01.2008