Services
High-touch recruiting help—and on-call consulting when the stakes are high.
Lodestar Recruiting is an executive search firm placing managers, directors, and executives with discrete manufacturing companies nationwide. Alongside retained and contingency search, Michael Petras now offers paid consulting sessions for recruiters, talent acquisition teams, and job seekers.
Consulting
On-call expertise. Booked and paid in minutes.
Not a course. Not a webinar series. Real-time help when a search, hire, or job search is stuck—booked through Calendly with Stripe payment so your time slot is confirmed the moment you book. Sessions are $125 (30 min), $225 (60 min), or $800 for a 4 × 60-minute package. Phone call by default; video optional. See each audience page for the full Booking & Refund Policy.
Recruiters
Battle Buddy sessions
On-call support when a search or close is going sideways. A second set of eyes, a negotiation sounding board, and a steadying voice—without turning into a training business. From $125.
Talent Acquisition
TA strategy sessions
Confidential counsel for company talent acquisition teams facing hard-to-fill roles, stalled searches, or the need for an outside perspective on process and candidates. From $125; Role Intake Workshop $325.
Job Seekers
Career search sessions
Practical, confidential guidance to restart a stalled search, sharpen positioning, and navigate interviews and offers—especially for manufacturing and leadership roles. From $125.
Also available
Core Recruiting Services
Every search is different, so these services are discussed one-on-one. If you’re interested, contact Michael to set up a date and time to talk through your needs.
Contingency permanent recruiting
Traditional contingency search for managers, directors, and executives in discrete manufacturing, from first conversation through accepted offer.
Interested? Contact Michael to set up a date and time to discuss.
Retained search
Exclusive retained engagements for confidential or hard-to-fill leadership roles, with a dedicated, high-touch search process.
Interested? Contact Michael to set up a date and time to discuss.
Contract staffing
Contract placements through affiliate Fox Hire, for companies that need skilled people on a contract basis.
Interested? Contact Michael to set up a date and time to discuss.
About
Why Lodestar
Michael Petras founded Lodestar Recruiting LLC to place leaders with discrete manufacturing companies—ag and construction equipment, RV and specialty vehicles, turf and utility vehicles, and engineered products. He is a Top Echelon member.
- Former regional sales director and national sales manager (Fleetwood, Damon)
- Hired, trained, and mentored 50+ sales professionals
- Led community workshops helping hundreds restart stalled job searches
- Nationwide reach; high-touch, phone-first approach
Ready to talk?
Choose the audience page that fits you, pick a package, and book with payment in one step. Fair cancel and refund terms are on every booking page.

