Today’s supply chains are fast moving, data driven and increasingly strategic. However, even the best designed networks falter without the right people in place. Whether you’re managing logistics, inventory, planning or transformation, having the right talent is the difference between stability and disruption.
Recruiting in this environment isn’t easy. The market is competitive, skillsets are evolving, and roles are becoming more specialised. But with the right approach, employers can hire not just quickly, but effectively.
Here are 10 practical tips to help your business recruit smarter across the supply chain.
1. Define Outcomes, Not Just Titles
Job titles can be misleading. A “Planning Manager” in one company might be a system-focused S&OP lead in another.
Start with what you need the person to achieve, not just what the role is called. Define deliverables, challenges and success metrics to create a role profile that attracts the right skills and mindset.
2. Streamline Your Hiring Process
Good candidates move fast, and if your recruitment process doesn’t, you’ll lose them.
Reduce unnecessary steps, secure early interview availability, and give feedback quickly. Efficiency signals professionalism, and keeps top talent engaged.
3. Sell the Bigger Picture
Supply chain professionals want to know how their role fits into the broader business.
Communicate the impact of the role. Will they improve delivery lead times? Drive planning transformation? Support sustainability goals? Purpose matters.
4. Use Specialist Recruiters
Generalist recruiters often miss the complexity of supply chain functions, and that leads to poor matches.
Work with consultants such as Bis Henderson Recruitment who understand your systems, suppliers, planning cycles and performance metrics. It saves time, reduces risk, and improves long-term fit. Find out more about our Supply Chain Recruitment Consultancy approach.
5. Tap into the Passive Market
The best candidates often aren’t applying for roles, they’re already delivering results.
Proactive outreach is essential. Choose a recruitment partner with established relationships in the supply chain space, who can engage passive talent with the right opportunity.
6. Hire for Culture and Capability
Technical skills matter, but so does adaptability, collaboration and alignment with your company’s way of working.
Balance technical vetting with behavioural assessment. A great hire doesn’t just “know the job”: they fit the team, engage with stakeholders, and drive value from day one.
7. Prioritise Retention from Day One
Hiring well is only half the battle, retaining top performers requires just as much planning.
Set clear expectations, offer structured onboarding, and communicate development pathways early. Candidates who feel invested in are more likely to stay and grow.
8. Be Transparent About Challenges
No role is perfect, and the right candidate will appreciate honesty.
If the function is under transformation, or there are constraints to navigate, be upfront. It builds trust and attracts candidates who thrive on solving problems, not just maintaining the status quo.
9. Benchmark Compensation Accurately
Supply chain salaries are moving, and falling behind market rate can limit your reach.
Stay informed with up-to-date salary benchmarking. Offering the right package ensures you attract qualified candidates and reduces negotiation delays at the offer stage.
10. Think Ahead: Not Just About Today’s Vacancy
A reactive hiring model puts pressure on operations and increases the risk of poor fit.
Plan ahead for succession, growth and attrition. Build a talent pipeline before you need it, so you’re ready when key roles open up or business needs evolve.
How Bis Henderson Recruitment Can Help
At Bis Henderson Recruitment, we specialise in high-impact hiring across every part of the supply chain: from planning and logistics to procurement, analytics, and transformation.
We work closely with employers to:
- Define strategic role profiles
- Reach hidden talent markets
- Improve hiring speed and accuracy
- Build future-proof talent pipelines
Speak with our Supply Chain Recruitment Consultants to help strategise your hiring approach, and how we can support your business.
In supply chain, the cost of a bad hire is more than financial: it’s operational, reputational, and strategic.
With the right recruitment strategy, you don’t just avoid disruption. You build momentum, capability and resilience across your network.
