Direct sourcing in contingent workforce management

In today's competitive job market, the need for innovative recruitment strategies has never been greater. Direct sourcing in contingent workforce programmes is rapidly becoming a vital approach for organisations facing high-volume, repeatable hiring needs. This article explores managed direct sourcing, emerging trends, and how leveraging this strategy can revolutionise recruitment processes.

What is direct sourcing?

Direct sourcing refers to integrating employer-brand-led, technology-enabled strategies into your existing talent supply chain to attract and engage the right candidates. It focuses on targeting specific job categories, high-priority areas, and repeatable roles while continuing to utilise third-party agency suppliers for other recruitment needs. The result is a streamlined pipeline of adaptable talent that evolves alongside your organisation’s needs.

Why direct sourcing matters

Recent direct sourcing trends indicate a shift in the expectations of both employers and job seekers. Applicants increasingly prefer digital formats for job opportunities, paired with seamless application experiences enabled by cutting-edge technologies. On the other hand, employers are eager for recruitment solutions that are flexible, scalable, and capable of addressing challenges arising from market pressures and economic volatility.

Key benefits of direct sourcing

Organisations are turning to direct sourcing for a variety of reasons, including:

Greater cost savings: Reduce dependency on third-party agencies and cut recruitment costs.

Higher quality of candidates: Build exclusive talent pools that align with your organisation's specific needs.

Enhanced candidate experience: Leverage technology to humanise the recruitment process.

Employer brand activation: Use your unique employer value proposition (EVP) to attract top talent.

Quicker hiring cycles: Fill roles faster with pre-screened and engaged candidates.

Where managed direct sourcing works best

Managed direct sourcing shines in several key areas, such as:

Niche roles: Tailor recruitment strategies to target candidates with specialised skills and industry experience.

Repeatable hiring needs: Establish pools of pre-screened talent for roles with predictable demand, like seasonal workers or factory staff.

Skills-scarce environments: Proactively build pipelines for critical roles requiring specific licenses or qualifications.

Direct sourcing trends to watch

Emerging trends in direct sourcing emphasise the use of advanced technology to enhance recruitment outcomes. These include:

AI and machine learning: Improve skills matching and candidate segmentation.

Recruitment process automation: Streamline talent acquisition and engagement.

Data-driven insights: Utilise real-time analytics to meet diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals.

Geographical expansions: Localise talent strategies to tap into new regions.

How Comensura can help

Comensura’s Advanced Direct Sourcing solution is powered by the Impellam Group, leveraging decades of recruitment expertise across industries. By activating your employer brand and EVP, Comensura helps curate tailored talent communities that meet repeatable hiring requirements.

Our approach combines technology-driven solutions with expert management to deliver cost savings, higher fill rates, and exceptional candidate experiences.

Take the Next Step

Are you ready to transform your contingent workforce strategy? Comensura’s managed direct sourcing solutions provide smarter, faster, and more cost-effective access to the talent your organisation needs to thrive. Whether you're exploring direct sourcing trends or seeking to implement a tailored solution, Comensura has the experience and expertise to guide you every step of the way.