Contingent Search Connecting Top Talent & Companies

What Is a Contingent Search Firm?

In the recruiting industry, a contingent search is a hiring arrangement where a recruiting agency is compensated only if the client hires a qualified candidate that was presented by the agency. Unlike retained or managed recruiting models that involve upfront payments and exclusivity agreements, contingent search offers a performance-based approach. This model allows clients to explore talent acquisition solutions without financial commitment until the right hire is made.

A retained search typically involves hiring an agency to exclusively fill a high-level executive role, with fees paid regardless of the outcome. Managed recruiting, on the other hand, often supports long-term hiring needs across multiple positions with a defined service agreement.

Contingent search is especially effective for independent contributor positions, mid-level roles, urgent hiring needs, or situations where multiple hires are required quickly. At CS Recruiting, we distinguish ourselves from transactional recruiters by acting as true hiring partners when we are engaged in a contingent search. We’re not just posting job descriptions and filtering through resumes to source qualified candidates. We’re investing in your long-term success by acting as an extension of your team through the entire process.

As a contingent recruiting firm specializing in logistics and supply chain talent, CS Recruiting combines the speed of contingency searches with the quality and care of long-term partnerships.

You can meet our team to learn more about our recruiters and what sets our approach apart.

Why Companies Choose Contingent Search

Hiring managers face a range of pressures; tight timelines, lean Talent Acquisition teams, and growing expectations. Working with a contingency search firm can ease these burdens significantly, while still delivering the right results.

The most immediate advantage for a contingent search is speed. Open roles create workflow bottlenecks and impact the bottom line. Our contingent service leverages our robust database, proprietary tools, and vast industry network to quickly connect you with potential candidates who match your needs.

Another benefit of the contingent search model is the low financial risk. With CS Recruiting’s contingent offering, clients only pay a recruiting fee when a hire is successfully made and retained for a guaranteed period of time. There are no upfront costs, making this model ideal for companies working with strict budgets.

Beyond cost, the real value lies in access to our team’s expertise and a deep network of talent. We go beyond job boards and public postings to find professionals who aren’t actively applying but are open to new opportunities. Our recruitment process filters for not only functional skills but also cultural fit.

Through our proven hiring process, clients gain confidence through our expert recommendations and industry insights. The result? Efficient placements, strong retention, and long-term ROI. For more insights, you can visit our recruiting blog for stories, strategies, and talent trends in the logistics industry.

Our Specialized Industry Focus

CS Recruiting is not just a traditional recruiting firm. We’re a contingent search firm that operates exclusively within the supply chain, logistics, and transportation sectors. This focus allows us to deliver faster, more accurate matches, because we understand your world.

From 3PL and freight forwarding to warehousing, procurement, and transportation technology, our team speaks the same language as our clients and we understand the industry jargon and nuances that that drive real results in logistics and supply chain hiring. That means less time explaining your industry, and more time identifying candidates who are already immersed in it.

We’ve placed talent across a wide range of roles including operations managers, transportation analysts, supply chain planners, and freight brokerage leadership. Our recruiters have real-world knowledge of the technologies, trends, and job functions that define this space.

With every search, we leverage our proprietary candidate database and extensive professional network. This specialization means we’re doing more than filling roles, and we’re acting as true talent advisors for our clients. Our goal in a recruiting partnership is to help supply chain organizations thrive by identifying the right hire at the right time. Explore our areas of expertise to see how we serve different segments of the industry.

How Our Contingent Search Process Works

When you work with CS Recruiting on a contingency search, you gain a partner who brings structure, strategy, and personalization to every engagement. Our five-step process ensures alignment from day one:

Intake Call: We learn your business goals, culture, and what success looks like for the role.
Role Alignment: We collaborate on the job description and identify must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Candidate Outreach: Using targeted sourcing, referrals, and technology, we connect with both active and passive talent.
Interview Support: We coordinate interviews, provide candidate insights, and adjust the search as needed.
Placement & Follow-Up: Once the hire is made, we continue supporting onboarding and retention.

Our consultative approach sets us apart from other contingency firms. We don’t just forward resumes. We evaluate soft skills, leadership potential, and alignment with your company culture. We blend recruiting technologies with human expertise to ensure every candidate is the right fit.

Looking to understand more about our process or how it compares with other methods? You can view all recruiting services we offer, including retained and managed search options.

Why Partner with CS Recruiting as Your Contingent Search Firm

As one of the top contingency search firms in the supply chain industry, CS Recruiting offers more than just candidate introductions. We offer strategic value by aligning every search with your business goals, culture, and long-term hiring strategy.

Our team of expert recruiters have decades of combined experience and a nationwide reach. We maintain an ever-growing database of vetted, pre-qualified professionals across logistics, supply chain, freight, and warehousing.

Unlike transactional recruiting firms, our goal isn’t just to fill your current role. We want to build a lasting partnership that supports your team’s growth for years to come. Whether you need one mid-level hire or multiple placements across departments, we tailor our approach to your unique hiring needs.

We’re proud to be a trusted partner to startups, established enterprises, and Fortune 500 companies. With flexible engagement models, including contingent, retained, and managed services, CS Recruiting delivers solutions that fit your hiring goals and budget.

We encourage you to contact our team to start the conversation. Let’s find out if our approach is the right fit for your organization.

Partner With Us

Hiring delays can be costly. The sooner your role is filled, the sooner your team can get back to full productivity. Our process is designed to save you time, reduce turnover, and deliver results that make an immediate impact.

Ready to work with a contingent recruiting firm that knows your industry and puts your hiring needs first? We invite you to partner with us. Our team is standing by to help you connect with the right candidate for the job.

Whether you’re hiring now or preparing for future growth, CS Recruiting is here to support you. Explore our solutions, connect with our team, and let’s build a better hiring experience together.