MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
The procurement and supply chain market brought about sustained job levels into 2013 with employers emphasising particular skill sets, according to the latest market update from specialist recruiter, Robert Walters.
Consumer demand has boosted hiring levels in the pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors, especially for professionals with demand-side supply chain or demand management experience.
This movement is supported by the latest Robert Walters European Jobs Index, which shows an 8% increase in the advertised number of UK procurement vacancies between the first and second quarters.
Businesses are also placing increased importance on securing top-tier candidates with the proven ability to boost balance sheets and add value.
Neil Morgan, Manager of Supply Chain recruitment at Robert Walters commented:
"Quality is key this year, with employers reluctant to hire purely according to a candidate’s level of technical experience. As a whole, companies are responding to increased competition, looking to new candidates to increase their efficiencies and boosting the number of available vacancies.
"Demand experience appears to be the most sought after in the market, as businesses look to forecast inventory levels and to ensure the best customer service overall. Given this, these professionals are receiving a premium when moving jobs, as employers are motivated to understand consumer trends and retail patterns and the impact this should have on levels of manufacturing.
"We also expect employers to make particular efforts in retaining their top talent, incentivising staff by offering competitive bonuses and salary packages."
