Logistics News

New report highlights logistics jobs hot spots

Business development personnel forecast to be in hot demand as logistics organisations look for candidates who can seek out new growth opportunities

October 6, 2011

Business development personnel are forecast to be in hot demand across Australia’s logistics sector as organisations look for candidates who can seek out new growth opportunities, according to the October-December Hays Quarterly Report.

For similar reasons, candidates experienced in operational greenfield start-ups will also be highly sought after, it contends.

“As logistics businesses move away from an operational mindset to embrace a scientific, academic and commercial approach to business, we expect to see a continued need for logistics engineers, transport analysts and solutions architects,” Hays adds.

“Also in demand are supply chain analysts as companies adopt a systems-focused approach to reducing supply costs.”

The strong Australian dollar and the dramatic increase in imports is also expected to fuel increased demand for import operators; while transport operators with heavy haulage experience will be in high demand.

In Western Australia Hays suggests the resources boom will drive demand for warehouse professionals with experience in the oil and gas sector as well as logistics co-ordinators with projects experience.

Overcoming skills shortages

In order to overcome the shortage of appropriate skills, Hays reports employers are acting quickly when candidates become available, with some employers recruiting talented professionals before a need materialises.

“Some employers are looking at transferable skills, or at candidates with skills but not direct experience. Others are supplementing their external recruitment activity by looking inwards at talented individuals they can develop into roles. This is particularly noticeable within project freight forwarding,” the firm notes.

“Employers are also utilising our database and our network of candidates built up over a number of years.”

The coming quarter

Hays says logistics businesses remain positive about the future outlook, and as a result the firm expects continued permanent and contract vacancy activity.

“New jobs are being created, particularly in freight forwarding,” it says.

“In transport, we expect to see an increase in permanent and temporary positions fuelled by the Christmas build up. This will relate to both transport and international trade, with positions becoming available at all levels.”

Employer trends

Employers, Hays says, are reviewing salaries and becoming flexible in the experience required in candidates.

In the face of skills shortages, they are focusing on broader skills rather than a certain level of experience in order to secure the right candidate.

“Of course, there are always exceptions and some employers demand candidates with relevant industry experience and very particular skills, such as ERP experience or management of a large staff base. They are increasing salaries in order to secure such people,” the firm explains.

Candidate trends

As a result of increasing demand, Hays says candidate applications have fallen, and quality candidates are in short supply.

Top-quality candidates are being retained by their employers, who are taking steps to ensure they stay with the company, it notes.

“The skills shortage is most obvious for quality candidates at the $40,000 to $60,000 level, while immediately available warehousing candidates at the $60,000 to $100,000 are also in short supply,” the firm states.

The full report can be accessed at www.hays.com.au/report.

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