Retained Executive Search
Leadership hires built to last.
For 40 years, APA Executive Search has placed senior leaders — from Senior Manager through C-suite — for automotive aftermarket, industrial, manufacturing, and private equity-backed businesses navigating growth, transformation, and critical transitions.
Who we serve
Sector focus is why clients call us instead of a generalist firm.
Automotive Aftermarket
Our founding sector — leadership placements across parts, distribution, and service networks.
SectorIndustrial & Manufacturing
Operationally complex businesses where execution risk runs high.
SectorPrivate Equity-Backed Companies
An extension of the investor and board through scale, transformation, and transition.
What sets APA apart
Judgment-Led
A tailored search strategy for how your business actually operates — not a rigid process.
Deeply Embedded
We stay involved through alignment, assessment, offer, and close — a true extension of your team.
Market-Driven
Live candidate conversations and sector insight — not recycled résumés.
Execution-Focused
Speed balanced with rigor, to reduce failed searches and late-stage surprises.
Sector-Specialized
Decades of focused work inside automotive aftermarket, industrial, and manufacturing.
How we run a search
100+ target companies identified, 30–100 candidates engaged, 10 semi-finalists screened, weekly progress updates — every search, every time.
See our process →"We have used APA Executive Search for the past 20 years and plan to do so for another 20."
Steven Berman, Chairman of the Board — Dorman Products
Read our case studies →Have a leadership gap that can't wait?
Tell us about the role — we'll respond directly, senior-to-senior.