Sapphire Search
Sapphire Search Limited is a Hong Kong-based specialist recruitment firm offering Contingency and Retained Search services for middle to senior-level permanent placements in Consumer and Industrial sectors across the Greater Bay Area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersTsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR China
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sapphire Search does
Sapphire Search Limited is a privately held, Hong Kong-domiciled specialist recruitment firm that delivers permanent placement services for middle to senior-level roles within the Consumer and Industrial sectors across the Greater Bay Area. The firm operates two core service lines: Contingency Search, suited to time-sensitive middle management and operational-level placements where fees are paid only on successful placement, and Retained Search, a strategically tailored, retainer-style engagement for senior appointments or positions requiring niche skill sets. Both revenue streams are structured as transaction-based placement fees typically calculated as a percentage of the placed candidate's annual salary, with specific tiers not publicly disclosed.
The company holds Hong Kong Labour Department License no. 77831 and runs a traditional, relationship-driven recruitment model with no proprietary technology platform, AI tooling, or software product disclosed. Its core operating asset is recruiter expertise across seven sector verticals — Life-science, FMCG, High-tech Manufacturing, Industrial, Retail, Logistics, and Sourcing — and six functional disciplines including Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Sales & Marketing, Finance, and Operations.
Sapphire Search serves three primary customer segments — multinational corporations (designated primary), SMEs, and startups in Hong Kong and Southern China — and reaches them via a sales-led direct outreach model using phone ((852) 2812 9282) and email ([email protected]) from its headquarters at Suite 907, 9/F, Silvercord Tower II, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Marketing is minimal, relying on LinkedIn for brand presence and word-of-mouth/relationship networks for demand generation. The firm has 1-10 employees, no external funding, no parent company, and operates as an independent boutique consultancy.
Sapphire Search firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sapphire Search
- Legal name
- Sapphire Search Limited
- Website
- https://sapphire-search.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sapphire Search Limited is a Hong Kong-based specialist recruitment firm offering Contingency and Retained Search services for middle to senior-level permanent placements in Consumer and Industrial sectors across the Greater Bay Area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sapphire Search industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Recruitment Services
- NAICS
- Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131), Executive Search Services (561312)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Consumer & Retail Leadership Search (BPACAAAG), Industrial & Engineering Leadership Search (BPACAAAD)
Keywords
Where Sapphire Search is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
- HQ country
- Hong Kong SAR China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sapphire Search business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contingency Search: Candidate search, interview screening, evaluation and selection service. Fees are contingent upon successful placement. Particularly suited for positions with limited time to fill, such as middle management or operational levels.
- Retained Search: Strategically tailored recruitment solutions with upfront commitment. Highly targeted and result-oriented approach for senior appointments or positions requiring niche skill sets. Fees typically charged retainer-style.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Contingency Search - Success-based placement fee |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Retained Search - Strategic tailored solution |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Sapphire Search product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sapphire Search is a specialist recruitment firm providing talent search solutions for permanent positions ranging from middle to senior levels across the Greater Bay Area, focused on Consumer and Industrial sectors. The firm offers two service lines: Contingency Search (success-based placement for middle management and operational level roles with limited time to fill) and Retained Search (strategically tailored, highly targeted recruitment for senior appointments and niche skill-set positions).
Product overview
Sapphire Search is a specialist recruitment firm providing talent search solutions for permanent positions ranging from middle to senior levels across the Greater Bay Area. The company offers two core service offerings: Contingency Search for positions with limited time to fill (middle management/operation levels), and Retained Search for senior appointments or positions requiring niche skill sets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Contingency Search A search approach involving candidate search, interview screening, evaluation and selection. Designed for positions with limited time to fill, such as middle management or operational level roles. Fee is contingent upon successful candidate placement, making it a success-based engagement model. Targeted at companies in Consumer and Industrial sectors across the Greater Bay Area.
- Retained Search Strategically tailored recruitment solutions applied to each search, aimed at securing the best talent for a specific position. Highly targeted and result-oriented in nature, typically adopted for senior appointments or positions requiring niche skill sets. Fees are charged on a retainer-style basis with upfront commitment. Targeted at companies in Consumer and Industrial sectors across the Greater Bay Area.
Companies that use Sapphire Search
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sapphire Search technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sapphire Search partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights3 records
Sapphire Search competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Michael Page: Global specialist recruitment firm focused on permanent middle-to-senior professional placements across multiple sectors. Operates a major Hong Kong office and serves multinationals and SMEs across the Greater Bay Area — directly comparable in target roles, service mix, and regional footprint to Sapphire Search.
- Robert Walters: Specialist professional recruitment firm focused on mid-to-senior permanent placements across functions (Supply Chain, Finance, Sales & Marketing, Engineering). Strong Asia-Pacific presence with established Hong Kong operations — directly comparable in functional specializations and seniority band to Sapphire Search.
- Hudson: Specialized recruitment firm with deep Asia-Pacific operations including Hong Kong, focused on mid-to-senior professional placements across functions and sectors. Comparable to Sapphire Search in sector coverage (Industrial, Consumer, Technology) and target seniority band.
- Hays: Global specialist recruiter with strong Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area presence, focused on mid-to-senior professional permanent and contract placements across multiple sectors including Industrial, Consumer, and Life Sciences — directly competing for the same mandates as Sapphire Search.
Broad incumbents
- Randstad: Global HR services leader with a major Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area presence. While broader in scope (including temporary staffing and RPO), Randstad competes for middle-to-senior permanent placements in Industrial, Consumer, and Logistics — sectors central to Sapphire Search's coverage.
- Robert Half: Global specialized staffing and consulting firm with significant Hong Kong and Asia operations, focused on Finance & Accounting, Technology, and Office/Operations professionals. Overlaps with Sapphire Search on functional specializations (Finance, Operations) and middle-to-senior seniority band.
- ManpowerGroup: Global workforce solutions company with established Hong Kong operations, providing permanent, contract, and RPO services across sectors. Overlaps with Sapphire Search on middle-to-senior permanent placements in Industrial, Consumer, and Logistics sectors.
- Korn Ferry: Global executive search and organizational consulting leader with a large Hong Kong presence. While broader in scope and focused on senior/C-suite mandates, Korn Ferry competes for retained executive search work that Sapphire Search also targets at the senior-appointment end of its range.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with established Asia-Pacific operations including Hong Kong, focused on senior leadership and board appointments. Competes for retained senior mandates that overlap with Sapphire Search's Retained Search offering, though from a much larger scale.
Regional players
- Spring Professional: Asia-Pacific-focused specialist recruitment brand under the Adecco Group, placing mid-to-senior professionals across functions including Supply Chain, Engineering, and Finance. Comparable in target seniority, functional coverage, and regional focus to Sapphire Search.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Sapphire Search social profiles
Digital presenceSapphire Search financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sapphire Search leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Sapphire Search funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sapphire Search M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sapphire Search
What does Sapphire Search do?
Sapphire Search is a specialist recruitment firm providing talent search solutions for permanent positions ranging from middle to senior levels across the Greater Bay Area, focused on Consumer and Industrial sectors. The firm offers two service lines: Contingency Search (success-based placement for middle management and operational level roles with limited time to fill) and Retained Search (strategically tailored, highly targeted recruitment for senior appointments and niche skill-set positions).
Is Sapphire Search a public or private company?
Sapphire Search is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sapphire Search founded?
Sapphire Search was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sapphire Search based?
Sapphire Search is headquartered in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR China, in the Asia region.
How does Sapphire Search make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Contingency Search is the primary driver. The others are retained Search.
Who are Sapphire Search's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Michael Page, Robert Walters, Hudson and Hays. Broad incumbents are Randstad, Robert Half, ManpowerGroup, Korn Ferry and Heidrick & Struggles. Spring Professional is listed as a regional player.
Does Sapphire Search have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sapphire Search.
What industry is Sapphire Search in?
Sapphire Search's product category is Executive Recruitment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAB, Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops), with a secondary code of BPACAAAG, Consumer & Retail Leadership Search. Its NAICS code is 56131 and its SIC code is 7361.