According to Hays Purchasing & Supply, the leading specialist
recruitment company, the implementation of efficiency and cost control
drives within organisations has led to a sustained demand for
experienced purchasing professionals.

\"Many SMEs and smaller
companies are being required to improve the supply chain to protect
their profit margins, which calls for sophisticated planning and
improved procurement within the market. Blue chips and larger
organisations are also driving supply chain improvements to ensure the
route to market is increasingly efficient\" commented Pat Law, Managing
Director at Hays Purchasing & Supply.

This has led to a
steady demand for supply chain professionals, as employers seek to
recruit for a range of purchasing jobs, including procurement, sourcing
and contracts managers as well as those in forecasting roles.

\"The
diversity of roles spans across industries; from pharmaceuticals, food,
fast moving consumer goods and the service sectors. Energy and
utilities are also particular growth areas\" continued Law. \"Salaries
and benefits packages have remained competitive although jobseekers are
being more flexible when it comes to remuneration and location to
secure their next role\"

With many organisations cutting back on
their learning and development budgets as part of cost-cutting
programmes, the onus is on employees in procurement jobs to assume
responsibility for their own development by demonstrating flexibility
and making themselves indispensable. \"Candidates should be looking for
challenges and projects that broaden their experience, enhance their
skill set through continuing professional development, whether through
formal or informal training and they should look to take on extra
responsibilities and seek ways to add value at every opportunity.
Project based work outside of the ’day job’ should be used to stimulate
ideas and new ways of thinking\" advised Law.

Working in an
interim capacity, especially for those who have been made redundant in
the current market, provides an excellent platform to gain experience
of diverse industries. \"There is however more competition for those
interim roles\" said Law. \"It should also be noted that there are
excellent opportunities for skilled jobseekers in both the public and
private sectors, and therefore it is important for jobseekers to
explore all available options and look to maximise their transferable
skills\"

Employers are expecting more from their recruits and it
is up to individuals to deliver results from the outset, \"Previously,
organisations might have taken on a candidate who ticks the majority of
boxes, filling any knowledge gaps with training to hone their skills.
But now candidates need to hit the ground running and show how they can
add value by making the current processes more efficient\" remarked Law.

Commercial organisations are increasingly looking to improve
their existing procurement teams, making them more efficient, effective
and leaner to ensure a knock-on effect on profitability. \"Each part of
an organisation needs to be operating at maximum efficiency and as a
result the focus for senior management is to cut costs across every
step of the supply chain, from purchasing to final delivery\" concluded
Law.

-ends-

Note to Editor:
Hays Purchasing &
Supply is part of Hays plc, specialising in purchasing and supply jobs
including warehousing jobs and contracts and supplier management. It is
market leader in the UK and Australia, and one of the market leaders in
Continental Europe. The Group employs 8,294 staff operating from 380
offices in 28 countries across 17 specialisms.

For further press information please contact:
Alexandra Tucker
Hays Plc
Charter House
13 - 15 Carteret Street
London
SW1H 9DJ
020 7630 4282
www.hays.com