Terri Smith, the managing director of Tiger Recruitment, is one of the most respected figures in the freight industry today. Her journey from her birthplace in Portugal to Mozambique, and eventually Johannesburg, is a testament to her resilience, not only in overcoming language barriers but also embracing diverse career opportunities.According to Smith, her decision to start her own recruitment agency stemmed from a deep-seated passion for the freight and logistics sector. “I had been involved in forex banking before taking on the world of shipping, handling freight sales before tackling recruitment,” she says.Training has always been close to her heart. “I have always believed that it is essential for my team to be well-trained and empowered in all aspects of freight operations. It underscores our dedication to excellence in recruitment ser v ices,” she explains.This investment in training has paid off, as the team at Tiger Recruitment is renowned for its service levels and skill. Smith’s leadership and commitment to developing her team have positioned Tiger Recruitment as one of the leaders in the industry, exemplifying the impact women can have in the freight sector.Smith actively advocates for the use of recruitment agencies, despite the rise of social media platforms, which allow companies to manage their own recruitment drives. “There are many benefits to using a recruitment agency, and this becomes clear when we see people return to us after having attempted to do their own recruiting,” she says. “Navigating web platforms for potential candidates is not only time-consuming but also an arduous task where many people don’t reply, or you don’t always get what you expect.”She explains that recruitment agencies provide reliability and accountability, helping to fill vacancies quickly and efficiently. They maintain strict standards, saving companies more than just time and effort, and have access to a much larger pool of candidates.“The challenges faced by the freight sector in the recruitment process when doing it themselves highlight the indispensable role of specialised agencies like Tiger Recruitment in simplifying and optimising the hiring process,” says Smith. "You are only as good as the people and team you hire. Why not make the right decision and invest in a reputable recruitment agency to get the best for your operation?"
