Recruitment in Waterford
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Hartley People has recruited from Waterford for 25+ years, a team based here, not just covering the region from elsewhere. We support employers across Waterford City, Dungarvan, Tramore and the wider South East with permanent, temporary and executive hiring, backed by a 150,000+ candidate network across the country.
Waterford at a Glance
One Waterford-Based Group, Three Ways to Hire
Permanent, temporary and executive recruitment. Whatever you need to hire in Waterford, one relationship with our team gives you access to all three.
- Professional permanent recruitment across industries, functions and seniority levels
- Recruitment on Demand, Career Services and Outplacement support
- SearchPLUS sourcing for hard-to-fill and strategic Waterford appointments
- Temporary staff for seasonal, project and high-volume Waterford requirements
- Recruitment Project Management (RPM) and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)
- Flexibility, cost control and compliance built in
- Senior, executive and confidential search for Waterford and South East businesses
- Leadership assessment, succession planning and board-level appointments
- The LBR (Leaf, Branch, Root) sourcing methodology
Meet the Recruitment Team
You're hiring a service delivered by people. Meet the recruiters who could be working your Waterford search.
Fergal Hartley
Joint OwnerFergal Hartley
Joint OwnerWith a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, Fergal Hartley is a highly regarded joint owner of prominent recruitment and staffing ventures, including Hartley People Recruitment & Training, Flexiforce, Clannad Care and Burton Sinclair. His entrepreneurial spirit has driven these companies to success, making them leaders in their respective fields. Fergal's comprehensive background in talent acquisition, combined with strategic insight and a commitment to best practices as a Fellow of the National Recruitment Federation, positions him as an invaluable partner for securing top executive talent.
LinkedIn
Pierre Fetat
Head of OperationsPierre Fetat
Head of OperationsPierre is an accomplished B2B International Director who works across functions, with over 15 years of experience across digital marketing, business development, and complex sales. With a strong background in Customer Data Platforms (CDP), Customer Success, and digital transformation initiatives, Pierre brings a wealth of expertise to executive search. His strategic insights, coupled with his commitment to driving innovation and operational excellence, make him a valuable partner for clients seeking visionary executive talent.
LinkedIn
Damien McCleane
Head of Strategic RecruitmentDamien McCleane
Head of Strategic RecruitmentWith nearly 30 years of experience across recruitment, training, business development, and customer relationship management, Damien McCleane is an accomplished professional with a versatile background in executive and managerial roles across diverse sectors. Also serving as Regional Manager at Hartley People, Damien combines his expertise in strategic recruitment, client partnership, and team leadership to drive excellence and innovation within the executive search landscape.
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Jessica Maher
Recruitment Team LeadJessica Maher
Recruitment Team LeadJess is responsible for recruitment across supply chain, production, engineering and warehousing. Having previously worked in the hospitality industry, she spent four years in Australia furthering her career before returning home to Wexford. A positive and energetic member of the team, Jess is a keen supporter of Wexford hurling and enjoys baking, going to the gym and spending time with friends.
LinkedIn
Darren O'Connor
Recruitment Team LeadDarren O'Connor
Recruitment Team LeadDarren specialises in recruiting for IT, HR, agricultural and commercial sales roles. With previous experience as an Operations Manager and Partner and Client Relations Manager within the waste technology sector, he brings strong operational and people-focused expertise to his role. Based in Waterford with his wife and dog, Loki, Darren enjoys sport, travel and keeping active.
LinkedIn
Danielle Bohill-Walsh
Senior Partner — Finance SpecialistDanielle Bohill-Walsh
Senior Partner — Finance SpecialistAs an experienced Senior Talent Partner, Danielle brings extensive expertise and a genuine passion for connecting people with the right opportunities. She combines a professional and personable approach with a strong understanding of clients and candidates, building lasting relationships and identifying the right talent. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys home and interior design and spending time with her husband and young daughter.
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Padraig Murphy
Senior Partner — Sales SpecialistPadraig Murphy
Senior Partner — Sales SpecialistPadraig is a Senior Recruitment Partner at Hartley People Recruitment, where he leads the Sales desk and focuses on connecting talented individuals with the right businesses. Before moving into recruitment, he spent 10 years working in Business Operations and holds a BA in Business and Human Resource Management. Outside of work, Padraig is an avid Liverpool supporter and keen golfer.
LinkedIn
Brendan White
Marketing Manager
Nigel Kelly
Talent SpecialistNigel Kelly
Talent SpecialistHailing from Carrick-on-Suir, Nigel is responsible for recruitment across IT, research and development, hospitality, trades and service technician roles. With a strong interest in technology, he is often the first point of contact for technical support within the office. Nigel previously worked in radio, presenting sports news and his own weekly show on WLR. He is also an accomplished photographer, keen runner, rugby fan and enthusiastic gardener.
LinkedIn
Eimear Cox
Recruitment SpecialistEimear Cox
Recruitment SpecialistEimear graduated from WIT with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 2018. Following several years in the insurance industry, including a period in Vancouver working with clients such as Michael Bublé and Nelly Furtado, she moved into recruitment to apply her understanding of people and relationships to helping clients and candidates find the right opportunities. A Waterford native, Eimear enjoys reading, board games, Dungeons & Dragons, pub quizzes and jiu jitsu.
LinkedIn
Hannah Sullivan
Recruitment SpecialistHannah Sullivan
Recruitment SpecialistHannah holds a Diploma in International Human Resource Management, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in International Hotel Management from Shannon College of Hotel Management. Beginning her career in hotel management, she developed strong communication and problem-solving skills, along with a genuine interest in working with people. Her move into recruitment brings together her experience in business, hospitality and human resources, with a focus on understanding candidates and making the right connections.
LinkedIn
Tamara Fisher
Recruitment SpecialistTamara Fisher
Recruitment SpecialistTamara brings extensive experience in operations management, customer service and team leadership, having worked in fast-paced, people-focused environments. She also holds a QQI Level 6 qualification in Human Resources and has a genuine passion for building relationships and helping people find the right opportunities. Outside of work, Tamara enjoys travelling, keeping active and spending time with friends, family and her pug, Harry.
LinkedInThe Industries Driving Employment in Waterford
Waterford's economy shapes the candidate market we recruit into every day. Here's what's actually driving hiring across the region, and what it means if you're trying to fill a role.
Life Sciences, Pharma & MedTech
Waterford has one of the South East's strongest biopharma and medtech clusters. Sanofi has operated on site for over 20 years and employs 1,000+ people; Bausch + Lomb, West Pharmaceutical Services, Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland and EirGen Pharma all manufacture here. This creates sustained demand across technical, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain and engineering roles.
Manufacturing & Engineering
Manufacturing is Waterford's single largest employment sector. Census 2022 puts almost 9,000 resident workers in manufacturing roles, ahead of every other sector including health and social care. That's built on advanced manufacturing, production, maintenance and quality operations across the pharma/medtech names above plus a wider industrial base.
- ~9,000 workers · Census 2022
Technology & Business Services
Waterford's tech sector isn't confined to Dublin's shadow. IBM added up to 75 R&D and engineering roles here in 2025, Infosys BPM opened a 250-job delivery centre in 2021, and Nearform, the global software consultancy, is headquartered in Tramore. Alongside this, an established base of shared services and professional services roles supports the region's larger employers.
Food, Agri & Consumer Manufacturing
Particularly across County Waterford and towards Dungarvan, food and agri-food remains a core regional employer. Dawn Meats, one of Europe's largest red-meat processors, is headquartered in Waterford; Glanbia's Dungarvan-based business services centre supports finance, payroll and administration functions regionally.
Logistics & Infrastructure
Port of Waterford at Belview is a genuine regional growth story: 1.81 million tonnes of bulk cargo in 2024, up 19% year-on-year, with container volumes up 17% and vessel numbers up 15%. That expansion sits behind a wider logistics, transport and supply-chain ecosystem across the region.
- Port of Waterford, 2024 results
Construction & Infrastructure
Waterford is mid-way through a genuine period of capital investment: the North Quays regeneration, a new SETU engineering and computing building, and a privately funded €30 million redevelopment of Waterford Airport, all currently under way.
Specialist Recruitment Across Every Function
Our Waterford recruitment team supports employers across professional, technical, operational and leadership appointments throughout Waterford City, County Waterford and the wider South East.
Accountancy & Finance
Find Out MoreBusiness Support
Find Out MoreCustomer Services
Find Out MoreCompany Secretarial
Find Out MoreConstruction
Find Out MoreEngineering
Find Out MoreExecutive
Find Out MoreHuman Resources
Find Out MoreInfrastructure
Find Out MoreLegal
Find Out MoreLife Sciences
Find Out MoreLogistics & Supply Chain
Find Out MoreManufacturing
Find Out MoreMarketing
Find Out MorePersonal & Executive Assistant
Find Out MoreProcurement
Find Out MoreSales
Find Out MoreSocial Care & Social Work
Find Out MoreTechnology
Find Out MoreDon't see your area listed? Talk to our Waterford recruitment team about your hiring requirement.
Recruiting Across Waterford & the Surrounding Region
Waterford's employment market doesn't stop at the county line. Commuting patterns and candidate pools cross into neighbouring counties every day.
Hartley People, Waterford
Unit 1B Cleaboy Business Park
Old Kilmeaden Road
Waterford, X91 DVY8
(051) 878 813
Get Directions→Tap the pin for office details
Waterford City, County & the Wider Commuter Market
Candidates commuting into Waterford, and Waterford employers open to candidates commuting in, routinely cross these county lines. We recruit accordingly.
Waterford's Three Employment Hubs
Waterford City
The region's employment centre, with strengths across life sciences, manufacturing, technology, retail, construction, healthcare and professional services. Home to our office and the majority of our Waterford client base.
Dungarvan
West Waterford's key employment hub, with manufacturing, food, engineering, professional services, tourism and local enterprise all recruiting here regularly.
Tramore
A large population centre with strong commuting links into Waterford City, and home to employers of its own, including Nearform's global HQ.
A Changing Waterford Changes Who You Compete For
Growth creates opportunity. It also creates competition for the people who can deliver it. That's where we come in.
The North Quays regeneration is the clearest current example. Government-approved public investment is funding a new integrated transport hub and a sustainable transport bridge connecting the North and South Quays, unlocking a major mixed-use city quarter with residential, office, hotel, aparthotel and retail space, plus new public realm along the river.
Construction on the private phase-one development is expected to get under way before the end of 2026, with delivery continuing from 2028. It's a multi-year build, not an overnight change, but investment on this scale creates business growth, and business growth creates hiring competition long before the ribbon is cut.
The Investment Behind Waterford's Growth
Waterford's Talent Pipeline Runs Through SETU
Waterford's candidate market isn't only about attracting experienced professionals into the county. It's fed continuously by graduates, apprentices and professionals upskilling through South East Technological University. SETU supports over 18,000 learners and 2,000+ staff across its South East campuses, with degree programmes in engineering, technology, business and science that build in structured industry internships.
SETU acquired the former Waterford Crystal factory site in 2024 to develop a new university and enterprise quarter, and its Walton Institute and SEAM research centres already work directly with regional employers across precision engineering, medtech and materials science. Understanding where Waterford's talent comes from, not just where it currently works, is part of how we build a realistic search strategy.
Before We Search, We Understand Your Market
Good recruitment starts with understanding the business, the role and the Waterford candidate market, not with posting an ad.
Where is the realistic candidate pool: Waterford City, County Waterford, or further afield?
How far will candidates realistically commute for this role?
Are relevant candidates already working locally, for a competitor?
Will we need to attract someone into Waterford from outside the region?
What are competing Waterford employers actually offering?
Is the salary aligned with the local market, not just a national benchmark?
What matters most to candidates considering a move right now?
Is hybrid working expanding or shrinking your available talent pool?
Which skills are genuinely essential, and which could be trained?
What could genuinely be trained, versus what has to walk in the door?
What does success look like after six or twelve months?
Why should someone leave their current employer for this opportunity?
We build the search strategy around the answers, not before.
Tell us what you need to hireOur 3E Approach
Experience
25+ years recruiting from Waterford. Local employer relationships built since 2001, first-hand understanding of the regional employment market, and national candidate reach through the same relationships.
Expertise
Experienced recruiters with real sector knowledge. Strategic Sourcing Specialists for hard-to-fill roles, sector knowledge across Waterford's key industries, and structured screening backed by advanced sourcing technology.
Ethics
Sustainable fit, not just CVs. Accurate representation of every role, every time, candidate motivation assessed before a submission is made, and appropriate, transparent shortlists, not volume-dumping.
Sometimes the Right Candidate Isn't Here Yet
When a specialist role needs someone to relocate, the job isn't the only thing on offer. The region is part of the pitch: a coastal city on the River Suir, the Waterford Greenway on the doorstep, Tramore's beaches twenty minutes from the office, and a genuinely shorter commute than Dublin or Cork.
Our recruiters know how to put that proposition in front of candidates who've never considered Waterford, because a job ad alone rarely gets them there.
The Best Candidate May Never See Your Job Ad
We combine national sourcing capability with genuine local knowledge, because a national database search for "Waterford" in a candidate profile isn't the same as understanding this market.
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150,000+Candidate network
- Existing candidate relationships
- Local recruiter networks
- LinkedIn Recruiter
- Strategic Sourcing Specialists
- Direct & passive candidate outreach
- Market mapping
- Referral networks
- Targeted advertising & major job boards
SearchPLUS in Waterford
For engineering, specialist manufacturing, life sciences, technical and senior professional roles where the local candidate pool alone isn't enough.
Precision Headhunting
Direct, targeted approaches to specific candidates who match the brief.
Total Market Mapping
A full picture of who's who across the Waterford and South East candidate market.
Multi-Channel Outreach
Coordinated activity across every channel a passive candidate might see.
Confidential Referrals & Network Activation
Trusted introductions through Waterford's own professional networks.
Tech-Enabled Sourcing
Advanced sourcing technology, applied by recruiters who know the local market.
Strategic Talent Insight
Market intelligence on salary, availability and competing employers.
From First Brief to Start Date
The same disciplined process behind every Waterford search, whatever the role.
Discovery
Understanding the role, the team and the Waterford candidate market before we start.
Search Strategy
Building the right approach around where your candidates actually are.
Talent Sourcing
Combining local networks with our 150,000+ candidate database.
Screening & Assessment
Structured interviews and motivation checks before anyone reaches your desk.
Shortlist & Interview
A shortlist built for fit, not just volume.
Offer & Onboarding
Support through offer, negotiation and start date.
Why Waterford Employers Choose Us
Access
Direct access to Waterford candidates who aren't actively job-hunting.
Time
We manage sourcing and screening so you're only meeting genuine fits.
Expertise
Recruiters who understand Waterford's key industries.
Reach
A 150,000+ candidate network that goes well beyond the local market.
Flexibility
Permanent, temporary and executive hiring from one relationship.
Search Capability
SearchPLUS for the roles advertising alone won't fill.
People + Technology
Recruitment technology, run by experienced recruiters, not the other way round.
Local Presence
A Waterford office, not a national account manager working the county remotely.
What Our Clients Say
“Hartley People were recommended to us as we opened our Waterford office and were instrumental in putting together our team. They were attuned to the specifics of the role and after a brief calibration period sent us exactly the candidate that we look for. They approach recruitment as a partnership and have provided huge value to our company.”
Karl FinnPublicRelay
“Hartley People have consistently sourced high calibre candidates for our business for more than a decade. Their recruitment team is always highly knowledgeable in their fields and their service is always excellent. They have become a key vendor for our business in relation to all of our recruitment requirements.”
Declan WalshKeltech Engineering
“We have partnered with Hartley People for many years now and would recommend their services to anyone looking for support with their hiring needs. They have a strong track record of securing excellent candidates for us, using sourcing strategies that meet our business requirements and the requirements of the candidate.”
Jill DavidsonTirlánWaterford Isn't a Region. It's Home.
Hartley People has operated from Waterford since 2001, 25+ years working with employers and professionals across the city and county. That means first-hand knowledge of the local employment market, real-time candidate availability, and the hiring challenges actually facing Waterford businesses, not a national view applied to a regional page.
Unit 1B Cleaboy Business Park
Old Kilmeaden Road
Waterford, X91 DVY8
(051) 878 813
Get Directions→
We Have a Route to Every Waterford Hire
Six ways employers come to us. Pick the one that sounds like your situation and we'll put you with the right team.
I need a permanent employee
Full search and shortlist for a permanent role, across every specialism we cover.
Start here FlexiforceI need temporary staff
Cover, contract and seasonal staff, on site when you need them.
Start here Burton SinclairI need a senior or confidential appointment
Discreet executive search, run without advertising the role.
Start here SearchPLUSI have a difficult-to-fill Waterford role
Headhunting and market mapping for when the right person isn't applying.
Start here Flexiforce RPM / RPOI need to scale a workforce quickly
Managed recruitment for volume hiring across a site, shift pattern or season.
Start here Burton SinclairI need a C-suite or board-level appointment
Leadership appointments, with succession and board-level briefs.
Start hereQuestions Waterford Employers Ask Us
Where is Hartley People based in Waterford?
Our Waterford office is at Unit 1B Cleaboy Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road, Waterford, X91 DVY8. It's our head office. The recruitment group was founded in Waterford in 2001.
How long has Hartley People operated in Waterford?
Over 25 years. Hartley People was founded in Waterford in 2001 and has recruited from the city ever since, alongside our Dublin office.
What are the best recruitment agencies in Waterford?
Rather than make that claim for ourselves, we'd point to what's verifiable: 25+ years operating from a Waterford office, real recruiters based here, and a track record recruiting across the region's key industries. We think that's worth a conversation, but you should judge any agency on its own history and presence, not marketing copy.
What industries do you recruit for in Waterford?
We recruit across 19 specialisms in Waterford, including Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, Accountancy & Finance, HR, Sales, Construction, Logistics & Supply Chain and Executive Appointments, reflecting the industries that actually drive employment in the region.
Do you recruit across County Waterford, not just the city?
Yes. We recruit across Waterford City, Dungarvan, Tramore, Portlaw, Dunmore East, Lismore, Cappoquin and Tallow, and into the wider commuter market including Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, New Ross and South Kilkenny.
Do you recruit in Dungarvan?
Yes. Dungarvan is a key employment centre in West Waterford and a regular focus for our team, particularly for manufacturing, food, engineering and professional services roles.
Do you recruit in Tramore?
Yes. Tramore sits within the wider Waterford City employment market and is home to employers of its own, including Nearform's global headquarters.
Can you help us find candidates from outside Waterford?
Yes. Our Waterford recruiters combine local market knowledge with a 150,000+ candidate network and national sourcing capability, useful when the right person needs to be attracted into the region, not just found within it.
Do you provide permanent recruitment in Waterford?
Yes, through Hartley People Recruitment: permanent hiring across all 19 specialisms, delivered by our Waterford-based team.
Do you provide temporary staff in Waterford?
Yes, through Flexiforce, part of the same group: temporary staffing, high-volume recruitment and workforce solutions for Waterford employers.
Do you recruit engineers in Waterford?
Yes. Engineering is one of Waterford's most active recruitment areas, given the region's manufacturing and life sciences base, from process and maintenance engineers to engineering leadership.
Do you recruit for life sciences companies in Waterford?
Yes. Waterford has a significant biopharma and medtech employment base, and life sciences recruitment (technical, quality, regulatory and manufacturing roles) is a core part of our Waterford work.
Do you recruit for manufacturing companies in Waterford?
Yes. Manufacturing is Waterford's largest employment sector, and it's one of the areas where our local market knowledge matters most, since experienced manufacturing candidates are rarely actively job-hunting.
Do you provide executive search in Waterford?
Yes, through Burton Sinclair, our specialist executive search business, and through SearchPLUS for senior and hard-to-fill appointments within Hartley People Recruitment.
How do you find passive candidates in Waterford?
Through our 150,000+ candidate network, direct sourcing, LinkedIn Recruiter, market mapping and local referral networks, combined with recruiters who understand who's actually working where across Waterford.
Can you help with difficult-to-fill Waterford roles?
Yes, through SearchPLUS, our specialist sourcing solution for difficult-to-fill, strategic and mid-to-senior appointments where advertising alone won't reach the right candidates.
What does a recruitment agency in Waterford cost?
Fees depend on the seniority and complexity of the role and which service is involved: permanent, temporary or executive. Get in touch and we'll talk you through pricing for your specific requirement, no obligation.
How quickly can you start a search?
It depends on the seniority of the role and how niche the requirement is. We'll give you a realistic timeline once we understand what the hire needs to achieve.
Who Do You Need to Hire in Waterford?
Tell our Waterford recruitment team about the role, team or workforce challenge. We'll talk through the local candidate market, the people you need and the recruitment approach that makes sense for your business.
- 25+ Years in Waterford
- 150,000+ Candidate Network
- Permanent | Temporary | Executive
Discuss My Waterford Hiring Requirement
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