Logistics skills in demand in Australia

According to the latest Hays Jobs Report skills in demand in the logistics sector include: Freight Forwarders, Transport Allocators, Import and Export Coordinators and Wharf Fleet Controllers.
The report reveals in the 2019/20 financial year, 57% of employers intend to increase permanent distribution staff levels.
This vacancy activity will be focused on multi-skilled candidates across transport, warehousing and supply chain.
This is the result of a focus on efficiency improvements and positive productivity, with employers looking for candidates with a strong knowledge of systems and processes and a history of reducing costs, achieving demanding KPIs and diverse experience. Employers also want candidates with a wide technical skill set who they can utilise to their full potential.
Within warehouse and distribution, Warehouse Managers and Supervisors are required. Candidates must be analytically sound with a proactive approach to KPIs. As companies continue to appreciate the benefit of improving logistical efficiencies, candidates who can track, monitor and manage KPI performance are highly sought after. Warehouse
Supervisors willing to manage small teams are also required.
In the warehousing sector, diploma or degree qualified candidates with experience in lean principles are sought.
In a localised trend, New South Wales’ growing 3PL footprint is leading to demand for Warehouse Managers, Logistics Coordinators, Analysts, Pallet Controllers and Dispatch Coordinators. Employers want to ensure maximum efficiency is achieved and KPI’s and contracts are being met. Expectations from 3PL employers are growing and they therefore look for candidates who can ensure service delivery levels are met, if not exceeded. They also want to see degree qualified candidates with experience in a similar environment.
Another interesting trend is the recovery of the senior level supply chain market. Today, candidates with change management experience, from both a people and process perspective, are in high demand. This is a result of organisations realising the impact that big data, systems and technology can have on improving efficiencies and reducing costs. Individuals who can coach a business through this transition are highly sought after in the current market.
Demand also exists for quality Supply and Demand Planners and S&OP Managers who have worked with complex manual based systems, have exposure to and have assisted with the development of S&OP processes and implementations, possess an analytical and commercial focus and can influence and educate internal stakeholders across an organisation.
Finally, fixed-term contracts and project roles are available. This is a notable change in a market that was previously dominated by permanent roles.
“Permanent hiring intentions have increased steadily over the past five years, peaking in 2018, and we’ve seen this remain consistent so far in 2019,” Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director of Hays in Australia & New Zealand says.
“Employers tell us they will continue adding to their headcount over the next few months. The key driver is the rapid pace of change, leading to restructures and transformational projects. So, despite well documented cost pressure, organisations plan to invest in adding highly skilled professionals to their organisations to successfully implement business change.”
“The widening skills gap is a cause of concern though. 70 per cent of employers we surveyed said skill shortages will impact the effective operation of their business or department, up from 67 per cent last year.”