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Episode 114: The Hidden Talent Goldmine: Why Recruiters Should Look Beyond Tech with Michele Sutton
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Tech recruiting may grab the headlines, but some of the most exciting opportunities for recruiters are found on the factory floor. Michele Sutton, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Chobani, has built her career connecting talent with purpose driven brands like Unilever, Ferrero, and now Chobani. Her journey proves that manufacturing roles can offer stability, growth, and meaningful community impact.
In this episode of Recruiting Is No Joke, Joel Lalgee and Michele explore how recruiting looks different when the roles are tied to physical products millions of people consume every day. From the challenge of hiring maintenance techs to the rise of automation and AI, Michele reveals why manufacturing is a space recruiters should not ignore.
She also shares how AI tools like Copilot and Gem are reshaping her workflow, why curiosity is the most important mindset when adopting new technology, and how candidates can stand out by doing their homework. The conversation wraps with practical advice on crafting the right LinkedIn outreach that actually gets a recruiter’s attention.
The message is clear. Recruiting in manufacturing is not just alive, it is thriving. The question is whether more recruiters will step into this overlooked but rewarding arena.
In this episode:
(00:00:00) Introduction and guest introduction
(00:01:30) Michele’s career journey
(00:04:08) Perception and trends in manufacturing jobs
(00:04:46) Recruiting challenges in manufacturing
(00:07:13) Advice for recruiters considering manufacturing
(00:08:22) Growth and expansion at Chobani
(00:09:23) Technology and automation in manufacturing
(00:12:07) Balancing scarcity and cultural fit
(00:13:58) Candidate preparation and research
(00:18:23) AI tools in recruitment
(00:21:09) Adoption of AI and team mindset
(00:26:50) AI in screening and interviewing
(00:32:16) What makes a qualified candidate
(00:34:39) Best practices for candidate outreach
(00:36:45) Managing high volume of candidate messages
(00:38:26) Closing remarks and contact information
About Michele Sutton
Michele Sutton is the Senior Director of Talent Acquisition for Chobani, leading supply chain recruiting and driving talent strategy for the company’s rapid growth in manufacturing. With career stops at Stryker, Unilever, and Ferrero, Michelle brings deep expertise in connecting talent to purpose driven brands. She is passionate about community building, scaling recruitment in evolving industries, and integrating AI tools to empower recruiters and candidates alike.
About Joel Lalgee
Joel Lalgee is an internationally known recruitment leader and coach who has helped thousands of recruiters build their brands online. In 2015, Joel started recruiting for a small start-up agency in Milwaukee. He quickly found his passion for recruitment. In 2019, he discovered content marketing, publishing his first posts on Linkedin. Since then, he has grown to over 400k followers, and his content has been seen over 1 billion times. In 2023, he started a business specializing in coaching recruiters, marketing consulting, and influencer partnerships.
Michelle Sutton
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