Some 42% of procurement and supply chain professionals say pay has stalled or fallen
'Underappreciated' buyers want to switch jobs
posted by Will Green
in Careers and skills, Procurement
Procurement professionals feel underappreciated and more than half intend to switch jobs this year, according to a survey.
Research by recruiter Hays found more than a third (42%) of procurement and supply chain professionals said pay had stalled or decreased in the past year and 56% were not satisfied with their salary.
Close to two-thirds (59%) said pay did not reflect their responsibilities and 57% intended to move jobs.
Scott Dance, director of Hays Procurement & Supply Chain, said: "Many employees working in procurement roles are clearly dissatisfied by their current salaries, and with many candidates confident with their own skills this is fuelling a feeling of underappreciation.
"We expect to see a number of candidates in the sector searching for new opportunities in the coming months, and for these professionals now is a crucial time to evaluate which direction they want in their career."
The research showed almost a third (31%) planned to leave their jobs within in the next six months and of those planning a move, 33% cited dissatisfaction with salary and benefits as the main reason followed by lack of future opportunities (23%). However, 68% had not asked for a salary increase in the past 12 months.
Nearly all respondents (96%) felt they had to the skills to fulfil their current role but over half (53%) felt their was no scope for career progression in their organisation.
Some 70% had not received a performance-related bonus in the past year and more than half of those who did (63%) got the same or lower amounts than the previous year.
More than two-thirds of employers plan to take on more staff over the coming year, the research found, with roles in particular demand including senior buyers, procurement managers and category managers.
Dance said: "The outlook is positive, as many employers are looking to recruit with specific skills in demand including leadership and stakeholder management skills. There is a lack of experienced candidates at mid-managerial level and as a result salaries are increasing, and those looking for positions will find a number of opportunities available to them this year should they want to move."
The research was based on data gathered during 2017 from Hays offices in the UK and a survey of almost 17,500 employers and employees across sectors in early summer 2017.
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