Tekion
Tekion is a PE-backed cloud technology company headquartered in Pleasanton, California.
Tekion has challenged the paradigm with the first and fastest cloud-native automotive platform that includes the revolutionary Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC) for retailers, Automotive Enterprise Cloud (AEC) for manufacturers and other large automotive enterprises and Automotive Partner Cloud (APC) for technology and industry partners.
Tekion connects the entire spectrum of the automotive retail ecosystem through one seamless platform. The transformative platform uses cutting-edge technology, big data, machine learning, and AI to seamlessly bring together OEMs, retailers/dealers and consumers.
Tekion became a client of Oakstone International through a long-standing relationship with Rob Glenn, Tekion’s Chief Revenue Officer.
Over a decade ago, Oakstone placed Rob into Coupa to run its European operations. Rob quickly transformed the region into Coupa’s top-performing territory globally. His success led to a series of promotions, including leadership roles in the US and, eventually, global sales oversight.
Rob’s journey brought him to Tekion, a highly disruptive US-based SaaS company in the automotive industry.
Tekion’s founder, inspired by frustrations with outdated car-buying processes, created a cutting-edge solution backed by significant funding and a seasoned leadership team with prior IPO success.
With aggressive growth targets, Tekion needed to hire 18 Account Executives in the US to drive their expansion and turned to Oakstone for support.
Tekion required 18 Account Executives across specific geographic locations in the US, each with a unique combination of skills: experience in both automotive and software-as-a-service (SaaS) sectors.
Tekion had an existing internal recruitment team; however, they required a more structured search methodology to meet the demand for high-quality and high-volume hires.
The recruitment process also demanded logistical coordination for hiring managers across four regions.
Each role required a tailored shortlist of three to four candidates, meaning Oakstone needed to source, assess, and present over 70 candidates while managing interview logistics for multiple stakeholders.
Rob Glenn’s trust in Oakstone, built through years of successful collaboration, was a key factor in choosing Oakstone over US-based search firms. Despite Tekion being a US-based company, Rob knew Oakstone’s capabilities from past work together at Coupa.
Oakstone's experience and capability to hire specifically in the US is reflected in 25% of Oakstone’s total revenue coming from hiring in the US for US-headquartered companies.
Within weeks, Oakstone demonstrated the ability to build a robust pipeline of qualified candidates, solidifying our role as Tekion’s trusted recruitment partner.
Niche Skill Requirements: Tekion needed candidates with a rare combination of automotive and SaaS experience. This significantly limited the talent pool and required a highly targeted approach to sourcing and outreach.
Geographic Distribution: Roles were spread across specific cities within multiple states, demanding localised searches rather than a broad national approach.
Logistical Complexity: Managing interviews for over 70 candidates across 18 roles required seamless coordination with Tekion’s hiring managers. This included scheduling interviews for panels of 7-8 stakeholders and efficiently managing calendars.
Volume and Speed: Tekion’s ambitious hiring timeline demanded rapid identification, engagement, and assessment of candidates without compromising quality.
Oakstone’s comprehensive approach addressed each challenge:
Targeted Sourcing: Leveraging extensive network and industry expertise, Oakstone identified and engaged the right candidates within the limited talent pool. Oakstone’s messaging was tailored to highlight Tekion’s unique value proposition in ways that resonated with individual candidate priorities.
Geographic Precision: Searches were localised to meet the specific needs of each role. This ensured candidates were qualified and positioned to thrive in their respective markets.
Streamlined Process Management: Oakstone managed the entire recruitment process, from initial briefs to final offers. This included coordinating interviews, minimising disruptions for hiring managers, and ensuring every candidate presented met Tekion’s exacting standards.
Collaborative Partnership: Tekion’s responsiveness and prioritisation of recruitment enabled Oakstone to maintain momentum throughout the hiring process. Both teams worked in tandem to meet aggressive timelines, demonstrating the power of a strong client-recruiter partnership.
Oakstone exceeded Tekion’s expectations by successfully filling eight roles within the first two months, showcasing the ability to deliver quality at scale. The entire process was handled with precision, ensuring Tekion’s leadership team remained focused on strategic priorities while Oakstone managed the operational complexities.
This case study highlights not only Oakstone’s expertise in executive search but also the importance of a collaborative approach to recruitment.
Tekion and Oakstone exemplified how urgency, alignment, and trust can lead to exceptional outcomes.