In November 2024, one of our manufacturing partners in Kazincbarcika contacted us because they urgently needed to replace their HR employee who had left. The situation was particularly sensitive: the company's HR function was performed by a single person who had unexpectedly left the organization's day-to-day operations. The selection of a new employee was already underway, but they would not be able to start for several weeks. Due to the critical timing, an immediate solution was needed. The year-end closings, January re-planning, and the daily needs of the physical workforce all required a continuous HR presence. It was clear to management that any disruption in HR operations would affect the entire organization.
Due to the nature of the position, it was not just a matter of administrative tasks. The job involved managing the entire operational HR process—contract management, payroll support, data maintenance—while also performing at a strategic level. One of the most important parts of the job was to prepare the new HR colleague who would be joining later so that they could be integrated into the existing structure and provided with training. The location posed a particular challenge: the factory is located in Kazincbarcika, where the physical workforce required daily HR support. This required a constant on-site presence, for which the company provided accommodation and travel expenses so as not to narrow the pool of potential candidates.
During the search, it became clear that only a specialist who could be effective at the operational level and operate with a strategic approach would be suitable. The ideal candidate needed to have comprehensive experience across the entire spectrum of HR, while also being willing to perform administrative tasks. Flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly were important considerations: the interim professional would need to step into the HR processes of an entire organization from one day to the next, with minimal lead time.
The assignment came in mid-November, and the search and selection process was completed with exemplary speed. Several factors played a key role in this:
The search was successful by the end of November: we found a professional who was suitable for the job in every respect.
The selected Interim HR Manager started work in January 2025 on a three-month contract. In the first few weeks, it became clear that they were not only capable of maintaining day-to-day HR operations, but also played a forward-looking and value-adding role in the life of the company.
During the assignment, HR operations remained stable, projects and deadlines were met, and the team was not overburdened.
In three months, the interim specialist:
In the end, the project not only provided a temporary solution, but also created long-term value for the company.
This case study clearly illustrates that Interim HR management services are not just a stopgap measure, but can also be a strategic tool. An experienced interim HR professional not only ensures business continuity, but also paves the way for long-term solutions and implements improvements that go beyond the scope of their mandate.
