Ohio Business Owners Face the Same Hiring Problem
Every business owner we work with in Ohio has tried other approaches first. Job boards. Referrals. Contingency recruiters. At some point the position stays open long enough, or the wrong person gets hired, and they call us. The ones who call us first get the better outcome.
RFT Search Group conducts retained executive search for business owners across Ohio. We serve companies without internal recruiting infrastructure who need mid-to-senior leadership placed right the first time. Your name never appears in a press release. Your search stays confidential.
Yes, we’re based in Michigan. If you’re an Ohio State fan, we promise to keep the football talk off the table. We’re here to help you build winning teams in your business.
Sound Familiar?
If any of these describe where you are right now, retained search is worth the conversation.
You’ve Tried Posting the Role. It Didn’t Work.
Most leadership positions never get filled through job boards. The candidates you actually want aren’t browsing Indeed. They’re employed, performing well, and not looking. Reaching them takes a recruiter with a network, not a posting with a prayer.
Your Internal Team Doesn’t Have the Network
HR handles benefits, compliance, and onboarding. That’s a full-time job. Building the kind of candidate network that surfaces a VP of Operations or a Controller who’s actually a fit is a different discipline entirely. It’s what Linda Ferrante has been doing since 1998.
You Can’t Afford Six Months of the Wrong Person
A bad leadership hire doesn’t just cost the salary. It costs the time spent managing the situation, the team disruption, the lost momentum, and eventually the cost of starting over. Getting it right the first time isn’t a luxury. It’s the point.
This Hire Is Too Important to Leave to Chance
You didn’t build your business by leaving critical decisions to chance. The person running your operations, managing your finances, or leading your sales team will either accelerate everything you’ve built or set it back. That deserves more than a contingency recruiter hoping something sticks.
Not sure if the timing is right? Here’s how to know when to call an executive search firm.
We Stand Behind Our Placements for 5 Years
Most executive search firms offer a 90-day guarantee, if they offer anything at all. We stand behind every placement for 5 years with our Client Loyalty Pricing Program. When you’re evaluating Ohio executive search firms, ask them if they can say the same. The answer tells you everything.
The Boldest Commitment in Recruiting
If the placement doesn’t work out, for any reason, we’re here. The replacement search is free in the first few months and heavily discounted for up to 5 years. We want you to make the right decision for your business, not keep underperformers out of financial fear.
Why We Can Offer This
Our livelihood depends on your success. If you aren’t successful, we can’t be successful. That’s not a marketing line. It’s the reality of building a family business where every client relationship matters and every placement is personal.
Why Ohio Business Owners Choose RFT
We’re not just another recruiting firm operating in your market. We’re a family-owned firm where every search gets owner-level attention and our livelihood depends on your success.
Industries We Serve Across Ohio
We serve business owners across Ohio in the industries where we have the deepest candidate networks and the longest track record.
Manufacturing
Plant Managers, Operations Directors, Engineering Managers, HR Directors, and executive leadership for manufacturers across the Midwest
Distribution & Logistics
VP of Operations, Supply Chain Directors, Marketing Managers, and senior leadership for distribution and logistics companies
Finance Leadership
CFOs, Controllers, Finance Directors, and Accounting Managers across all industries
Industrial & Construction
Project Managers, Operations Leaders, Sales Managers and executive management for industrial and construction firms
Professional Services
Partners, Senior Associates, and Paralegals for law firms; CPAs and accounting professionals for CPA firms
Insurance
Senior producers, Marketing Directors and leadership positions in insurance agencies and carriers
Serving Business Owners Across Ohio
We serve business owners throughout Ohio who need retained executive search expertise for critical leadership positions. We maintain active candidate networks in Ohio’s major markets and conduct statewide searches.
Columbus Metro Area
Serving Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Gahanna, Grove City, and surrounding communities throughout central Ohio. One of the fastest-growing business markets in the Midwest with strong professional services and technology presence. Dedicated city-level search resources coming soon.
Cleveland & Northeast Ohio
Covering Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and northeast Ohio communities. Deep manufacturing and industrial roots with strong logistics density. Dedicated city-level search resources coming soon.
Cincinnati & Southwest Ohio
Serving Cincinnati, Dayton, Hamilton, Mason, and southwest Ohio communities. Strong finance, insurance, and professional services presence. Dedicated city-level search resources coming soon.
What Business Owners Say
Ready to Make Your Next Critical Hire?
Let’s talk about your hiring needs. No pressure, no obligation, just a straightforward conversation about whether we’re the right executive search firm for your needs.