From warehouse operations and fleet management to last-mile delivery and network control towers, the logistics industry underpins the movement of goods across the UK economy. But in a sector where speed, scale and precision are everything, securing the right people isn’t easy.
The competition for skilled logistics professionals has never been fiercer. With rising customer expectations, growing eCommerce volumes, and increasing pressure on delivery windows, businesses that fail to recruit strategically risk falling behind operationally…..and commercially.
So, how do you attract and retain high-performing logistics talent in today’s fast-moving market?
1. Understand the Specific Demands of Logistics Roles
Too often, recruitment efforts are derailed by vague briefs and recycled job specs. Logistics roles aren’t generic. A Transport Manager for a national retail network looks very different from one overseeing a regional 3PL operation.
Define the role, then shape the brief.
Work with a specialist who understands the sector’s nuances, from regulatory compliance and vehicle routing to warehouse automation and shift modelling. That’s how you hire for real impact, not just a title.
2. Move Fast, But Not at the Cost of Fit
Logistics is time-sensitive and so is logistics recruitment. Top candidates are often in multiple processes and can be snapped up quickly.
Speed matters.
However rushing a hire without fully assessing technical competency, cultural fit or long-term potential only leads to costly churn. The right partner will streamline the process without compromising on diligence, so you hire fast, and hire well.
3. Go Beyond Job Boards
The best logistics professionals; shift managers, depot leaders, transport planners, aren’t always applying online. Many are busy delivering results and not actively searching for a move.
That’s why networks matter.
At Bis Henderson Recruitment, we engage with passive candidates every day, building long-term relationships across warehousing, transport, and distribution. We know who’s delivering value, even before they consider a change.
4. Offer More Than a Payslip
In logistics, pay is important, but it’s not everything. Career progression, work-life balance, location, shift patterns and team culture all play a role in candidate decision making.
Attracting talent means aligning offers with values.
Do you have a clear development path? Are you flexible on hours or location? Can you offer stability in a high-pressure environment? These are questions today’s candidates are asking, and your recruitment strategy needs to answer.
5. Think Ahead. Not Just About the Vacancy
Many businesses recruit reactively when a gap emerges, but logistics doesn’t leave much room for downtime.
Forward planning is essential.
Anticipate growth, seasonal peaks, and internal movement. Build pipelines of operational talent before you need them, so you’re not left short-handed when demand spikes or someone moves on.
How Bis Henderson Recruitment Can Help
We don’t just know logistics, we live it. From large-scale eCommerce fulfilment centres to niche temperature-controlled operations, we’ve placed talent across every corner of the UK logistics landscape.
We combine deep sector knowledge with a consultative approach to deliver:
- Role clarity. Helping define what success looks like before the search begins.
- Speed and precision. Delivering shortlists quickly, with candidates ready to perform.
- Quality over quantity. Prioritising fit, not volume, so your time isn’t wasted.
- Access to hidden talent. Engaging professionals you won’t find on job boards.
The UK logistics industry runs on people. Whether you’re scaling a new site, stabilising operations, or gearing up for peak, your success depends on the quality of your team.
Don’t settle for the available. Recruit for the exceptional. Speak to our team today to help find your next logistics professional.
