As vice president of talent acquisition and contingent workforce management in Premier’s HR department, Dan Takah is responsible for all hiring and engagements made by the company. Takah began his staffing career selling contingent labor to customers, later moved to the “buy side” and then, in 2007, helped to build and manage one of the largest MSPs in the world.

Among recent accomplishments, in January 2020, Takah and his team converted Premier’s MSP program to internal management from external, which included executing over 50 direct supplier contracts, hiring a team and standing up the program. The program comprises both domestic and international contingent headcount and spend, and the company partners with a VMS and manages all categories within the tool and program.

On managing contingents remotely, Takah notes that Premier has formed strong relationships with its suppliers, and partners with them to ensure its workforce is engaged, healthy and doing well working remotely. Equally effective, he says, is partnering closely with internal engagement managers to ensure they have the resources and training they need manage a remote workforce.

Takah feels the program has had a positive effect on the company and the staffing ecosystem. “We have been able to not only leverage our brand but enhance it. We are viewed within the communities we serve as an employer of choice for both full-time and temporary jobs,” he says.