Supply Chain, Procurement and Vendor Management Recruitment Bulletin May 2025
BACKGROUND…
Inconsistent US trade policy, US trade tariffs, geopolitical upheavals and slow, uncertain economic growth, are creating huge challenges for many UK firms and their procurement teams. Procurement and Supply Chain professionals are stress-testing supply chains for cost shocks, reviewing supplier diversification, nearshoring and reshoring, and taking stock of tariff-sensitive sectors and inputs. Many UK firms are currently facing immense supply chain challenges. Tim Reid, the head of the UKEF (The government agency responsible for supporting UK exporters) has commented “Trump’s’ tariffs are harder to navigate than the pandemic.”
Recent figures from the S&P Global Flash UK PMI survey for April signalled “a decline in private sector output for the first time in one-and-a-half years. Weaker demand from international markets weighed on business activity in both the manufacturing and service sectors. The latest figures indicated that total new work from abroad decreased sharply and at the fastest pace for nearly five years. Survey respondents widely commented on the negative impact of US tariffs and a subsequent slump in confidence among clients.”
Whether the UK negotiates better terms with the US or some form of free trade agreement, input costs are likely to be inflationary and become less predictable. There will be indirect impacts, including for those companies that rely on global supply chains passing through the EU, China and the US, with suppliers raising prices on parts and raw materials to recoup higher tariffs.
With global supply chains in turmoil and the challenges of balancing Supply Chain Security, Environment, Social & Governance and Cost, ever more critical, and we are seeing increased recruitment activity for talented supply chain professionals.
Whether the UK negotiates better terms with the US or some form of free trade agreement, input costs are likely to be inflationary and become less predictable. There will be indirect impacts, including for those companies that rely on global supply chains passing through the EU, China and the US, with suppliers raising prices on parts and raw materials to recoup higher tariffs.
With global supply chains in turmoil and the challenges of balancing Supply Chain Security, Environment, Social & Governance and Cost, ever more critical, and we are seeing increased recruitment activity for talented supply chain professionals.
Here is what we are seeing now; and our thoughts for what 2025 and beyond might bring…
SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIOANALS IN DEMAND...
SENIOR SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIONALS across the board, particularly those with a global understanding and mindset; supply chain professionals that can work in ambiguous environments and can translate complex data into strategic procurement actions.
SUPPLIER MANAGERS / VENDOR MANAGERS - THIRD PARTY RISK – Looking across the full supply chain identifying supply chains that maximise supply security through effective analysis and management of third-party risk.
SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT – ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE (ESG) specialists ~ Individuals that can balance sustainable supply chains, Risk and Cost in an uncertain global trading environment, with in-depth understanding of ESG metrics and sustainable sourcing practices.
SUPPLY CHAIN SPECIALISTS with Nearshoring and Reshoring expertise.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SPECIALISTS ~ For Implementing AI-driven analytics platforms, e-procurement systems and integration solutions for supply chain transparency.
SUPPLIER MANAGERS / VENDOR MANAGERS - THIRD PARTY RISK – Looking across the full supply chain identifying supply chains that maximise supply security through effective analysis and management of third-party risk.
SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT – ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE (ESG) specialists ~ Individuals that can balance sustainable supply chains, Risk and Cost in an uncertain global trading environment, with in-depth understanding of ESG metrics and sustainable sourcing practices.
SUPPLY CHAIN SPECIALISTS with Nearshoring and Reshoring expertise.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SPECIALISTS ~ For Implementing AI-driven analytics platforms, e-procurement systems and integration solutions for supply chain transparency.
BUSIEST SECTORS...
UTILITIES ~ Busy with high demand for talented people, to support growth derived primarily from changes in UK policies and government investment . In particular the Water sector ~ investment in environmental /pollution solutions and in the Energy sector ~ working towards net zero and minimizing UK energy vulnerability)
FINANCIAL SERVICES & FINTECH ~ Driven by changing global trading relationships, technology investment and movement from high street banking to on-line.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ~ Growth in Cloud Computing and Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity are demanding specialist IT procurement category experience.
LOGISTICS sector is attracting significant investment, demanding supply chain professionals with a strong emphasis on ESG and Quality across all logistics environments.
DEFENCE ~ Demand for labour in this sector is likely to increase as government and industry respond to heightened UK security risks, in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.
INTERIM Recruitment
An increase in Fixed Term Contracts (FTC) roles ~ Legislation changes to day one worker’s rights, is causing reluctance among some employers to engage permanent staff. We are seeing more businesses recruiting on an FTC basis (with the possible option of moving to a permanent contract). A ‘try before you buy’ approach allows employers to reduce the risk and cost of bad permanent hires.
An overall Increase in Interim activity ~ ‘Day one worker’s rights’ and general uncertainty in the market is causing employers to rethink whether a permanent hire is the best option. Interim recruitment option allowing greater flexibility to weather economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Amid fears of a global recession, we would normally expect to the balance of recruitment engagements to move towards Interim (contract) solutions over permanent engagements; and we expect the interim market to strengthen comparatively while significant economic uncertainty persists.
Larger corporate entities remain cautious of the potential reputational risk of falling foul of the IR35 regulations, with a significant majority of hires still engaged on an inside IR35 basis.
We are not seeing any significant increase in overall Interim Pay Rates.
Great Candidates: We are talking to a lot of great candidates not active in the market, but happy to receive ideas, as they are looking for very specific roles and employers; they are using specialist agencies like us to keep them aware of possibilities.
Employee and Candidate Expectations: We continued to see the dichotomy between many organisations demanding their staff ‘back in the office’ and employees seeking good hybrid working options, meaning some employers are not securing the best talent available. Employers wishing to secure the best people, should carefully consider their employment package, including hybrid working options, that are attractive to prospective employers. It should be noted that some professionals will be more reluctant to change job when the economic outlook is so uncertain.
Salaries and Packages: Slow UK recruitment activity has kept Permanent Salary Rates static. However, in the competition for talent, supply chain professionals with ‘hard-to-find’ skillsets can secure salary and packages well ahead of market rates.
Attracting and Securing Talent: Employers Brand value, reputation, interview process, on-boarding process, hybrid working options, and salary/package offered; will all have a significant effect upon employer’s ability to attract and secure the best supply chain people.
The Beaumont Select Recruitment Team
Beaumont Select Market Bulletin, May 2025
An overall Increase in Interim activity ~ ‘Day one worker’s rights’ and general uncertainty in the market is causing employers to rethink whether a permanent hire is the best option. Interim recruitment option allowing greater flexibility to weather economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Amid fears of a global recession, we would normally expect to the balance of recruitment engagements to move towards Interim (contract) solutions over permanent engagements; and we expect the interim market to strengthen comparatively while significant economic uncertainty persists.
Larger corporate entities remain cautious of the potential reputational risk of falling foul of the IR35 regulations, with a significant majority of hires still engaged on an inside IR35 basis.
We are not seeing any significant increase in overall Interim Pay Rates.
PERANENT Recruitment
The critical importance of effective Procurement and Supply Chain functions has ensured that talented Procurement and Supply Chain Professionals have been less effected than those in many other sectors, but slow economic growth continues to suppress many firms' willingness to invest and recruit…. and for some people, a reluctance to move jobs.
Great Candidates: We are talking to a lot of great candidates not active in the market, but happy to receive ideas, as they are looking for very specific roles and employers; they are using specialist agencies like us to keep them aware of possibilities.
Employee and Candidate Expectations: We continued to see the dichotomy between many organisations demanding their staff ‘back in the office’ and employees seeking good hybrid working options, meaning some employers are not securing the best talent available. Employers wishing to secure the best people, should carefully consider their employment package, including hybrid working options, that are attractive to prospective employers. It should be noted that some professionals will be more reluctant to change job when the economic outlook is so uncertain.
Salaries and Packages: Slow UK recruitment activity has kept Permanent Salary Rates static. However, in the competition for talent, supply chain professionals with ‘hard-to-find’ skillsets can secure salary and packages well ahead of market rates.
Attracting and Securing Talent: Employers Brand value, reputation, interview process, on-boarding process, hybrid working options, and salary/package offered; will all have a significant effect upon employer’s ability to attract and secure the best supply chain people.
The Beaumont Select Recruitment Team
Beaumont Select Market Bulletin, May 2025