The Recruiter’s View: What’s really happening in Procurement recruitment?

With over 20 years of recruitment experience, including the last 14 focused on procurement and supply chain, I’ve seen many hiring trends come and go. What’s clear right now is that competition for talent is intensifying. Whether you’re hiring at assistant level or looking for a new director, employers need to move quickly and understand what today’s candidates value most.

Market Overview: High Demand, Low Supply

The UK procurement market is currently very candidate-driven. Most professionals we speak to are juggling multiple opportunities at once. Those with sector-specific experience, especially in electronics, are in particularly high demand. Companies in that space know how tough the market is, and they are doing more than ever to retain their top people.

This makes hiring in electronics procurement particularly competitive. If you’re recruiting in this space, be prepared to act quickly and offer something genuinely compelling.

What Candidates Expect Now

Salary expectations have noticeably increased over the past 12 months. Rising living costs mean candidates expect a meaningful uplift, not just a marginal one. Hybrid working is still high on the agenda too. It’s often the second question candidates ask after salary.

However, we’re seeing a slight shift among employers, with more businesses encouraging a return to the office. This creates a potential disconnect. Being transparent early in the process helps set the right expectations on both sides.

ESG and Procurement Strategy

There’s a clear divide between businesses embracing long-term strategies like ESG, supply chain transparency and supplier diversity, and those still chasing short-term savings. Those taking the strategic approach are already starting to see the benefits, not only in performance but in talent retention and brand perception.

If ESG and responsible sourcing aren’t on your radar, now’s the time to change that.

Need help finding top procurement talent?

Whether you’re hiring for a short-term project or building a long-term team, we can help you secure professionals with the right expertise.

Connect with Darren Herd on LinkedIn or speak to our specialist team at The Portfolio Group.