As production continues to increase, Taco has adopted a new, efficient, people-first approach to hiring select roles with the launch of an Indeed-sponsored job fair designed to provide candidates with a faster, more streamlined path to joining the Taco team.
Human Resources, Operations, and departmental hiring managers collaborated to interview candidates for multiple open roles. Open positions for this event included Assembler Testers, CNC Machine Operators, and Material Handlers. Combining multiple stages of the hiring process into one day creates an accelerated and engaging experience for everyone involved.
This approach was inspired by the company’s partnership with Polaris and the success of their CCRI fast-track program, particularly their proactive efforts to engage with and better understand candidates. Rather than relying solely on applicant tracking systems, the strategy emphasizes collaboration and long-term talent development. It also reflects a broader commitment to growth: continuing to invest in people even as the hiring landscape evolves within the community.
“This is the first time we’ve done an event like this, and we’ve had so much support from a variety of departments,” said Kristen Rao, Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist. “Everyone is lending a hand to help make this come to fruition. It’s amazing to see how quickly we were able to get it in action, and having that kind of support across teams has been crucial in moving it forward.”
Once the job fair wrapped up, the hiring teams came together to debrief and select final candidates with the goal of extending offers quickly, often within one week. The goal of this approach is to condense the typical 6-8 week hiring timeline while still maintaining the people-centric, collaborative process that defines the company’s culture.
“This is a win for Taco, but it’s ultimately about the candidates,” Rao added. “We want to make sure it’s a win for them as well.”
A total of 66 applicants attended the job fair, resulting in 10 offers. Taco seeks to continue building a strong pipeline of talent by keeping all attendees in the recruiting pool for future opportunities. When new positions within the company are posted, Talent Acquisition and the departmental hiring teams can review past candidates and identify if they may be the ideal fit, helping to set them up for long-term success with the organization.
As Taco continues to rapidly expand, the job fair reflects the company’s overall commitment to cross-team partnership, mutual support, and creating opportunities. This model may serve as a foundation for similar hiring approaches in the future.
