Operations · Supply Chain · Manufacturing Engineering

The right hire.
Faster than you
thought possible.

Mid-market manufacturers are rebuilding operations and supply chain teams faster than ever. Reshoring is accelerating. Tariff disruption is real. NextWay Search places the leaders who make the difference, with the speed and focus your business demands.

Start a Search Why NextWay
20
Years Recruiting
Mfg
Focused Niche
100%
Personal Service
Laura Coker, NextWay Search

Founder

Laura Coker

NextWay Search

Why NextWay

You're not just
another open req.

Most large recruiting firms are running dozens of searches simultaneously. You get a junior recruiter, a templated process, and slow updates. NextWay operates differently — focused, personal, and built around your specific hiring need.

01

More Attention

You work directly with Laura — not a junior recruiter or account manager. Every search gets senior-level focus from day one through placement.

02

Faster Turnaround

No bureaucracy, no layers of approval. Decisions get made fast, candidates move quickly, and you're never left wondering what's happening with your search.

03

Personalized Search

Cookie-cutter searches produce cookie-cutter candidates. We take the time to deeply understand your culture, team dynamics, and what actually makes someone succeed in your environment.

04

Direct Communication

You'll always know where your search stands. Honest updates, clear timelines, and no spin — just straightforward communication throughout the process.

05

Manufacturing Expertise

20 years placing leaders at companies like Benteler Automotive, A123 Systems, Brose, and TRW/ZF means we understand your world — the roles, the culture, and what separates a good hire from a great one.

06

The Right Fit

We're not trying to fill a position — we're trying to make a great hire. That distinction changes everything about how we approach your search.

How It Works

Simple, fast, personal.

01

Discovery Call

We learn about your company, the role, your culture, and what success looks like.

02

Targeted Search

We go to market with a focused, personalized outreach strategy — not a job board post.

03

Curated Shortlist

You receive only pre-vetted candidates who genuinely fit — no resume dumps.

04

Placement & Beyond

We stay involved through offer and onboarding to make sure the hire sticks.

Industries

Deep expertise where
it matters most.

⚙️

Automotive & Tier 1/2 Suppliers

Deep roots in Metro Detroit and the broader automotive supply chain. We understand the pressures of program launches, cost reduction mandates, and the leadership it takes to run a competitive supplier operation.

Plant Manager VP Operations Quality Director Launch Manager
💻

Advanced Manufacturing & Automation

Reshoring is driving investment in new facilities and automation technology. We place the engineering and operations leaders who can build, scale, and optimize next-generation manufacturing operations.

Director of Manufacturing Eng Automation Manager Process Engineer Operations Director
💰

Supply Chain & Procurement

Tariff disruption and supply chain volatility have made procurement and supply chain leadership mission-critical. We place the leaders who build resilient, cost-effective supply chains that give manufacturers a competitive edge.

Supply Chain Director Procurement Director VP Supply Chain Sourcing Manager
🚚

Plastics, Composites & Metal Fabrication

From injection molding to metal stamping, we know the operational demands of materials-focused manufacturers and the leaders who drive performance in these environments.

Operations Manager Plant Manager Engineering Manager Quality Director
Laura Coker

About

20 years finding the people who actually deliver.

I started NextWay Search because I saw a gap in the market — companies deserved better than the impersonal, high-volume approach most firms take. After two decades placing talent at Fortune 500 companies, private equity-backed firms, and high-growth organizations, I knew there was a better way.

NextWay is intentionally small and selective. That's not a limitation — it's the point. Every client gets my full attention, every search gets treated like it matters, because it does.

20 years placing leaders at Benteler Automotive, A123 Systems, Brose, TRW/ZF, and Penske

Deep candidate networks in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing engineering across the Midwest

Detroit-based with national reach. Home field advantage in the densest manufacturing market in North America

Direct, honest communication throughout every engagement. You always know where your search stands

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Results

What clients say

★★★★★

I have worked with Laura on recruiting projects on multiple occasions. Her knowledge of the positions we were looking to fill and her timely follow up were examples of the exceptional service she provided. I would not hesitate to recommend Laura to anyone looking to partner with a true recruiting professional.

Business Manager

Manufacturing

★★★★★

Laura is a strategic, results oriented talent manager who possesses deep functional knowledge, strong business acumen and the ability to creatively provide talent management solutions to the businesses she supports.

Plant Manager

Industrial

★★★★★

Laura has great talent of finding the right people at the right time for suitable job openings. She is very prompt in responding and makes sure that all questions or concerns are addressed. I highly recommend using her services as a talent specialist.

Software Engineering Leader

Technology

★★★★★

She is an excellent recruiter and is committed to delivering for her clients. Laura has really shown that she delivers results and I am very excited to see what she does next.

Executive Talent Manager

Recruiting and Talent Acquisition

Get In Touch

Tell us about your search.

Share a few details about the role you are trying to fill and we will get back to you within one business day.

Ready?

Your next great
hire is out there.

Tell us about the role. We'll tell you exactly how we'd approach it — and what the talent market looks like right now. No commitment, no pressure.

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