/24-7PressRelease/ - London, UK, August 28, 2008 - Hays Purchasing and Supply has revealed the latest results of the company's employment survey and the salary and benefits trends for purchasing and supply chain professionals.
The survey revealed that 77% of respondents are currently happy with their career, although those working in purchasing and
supply jobs are keen to secure their future finances, with a pension being the most sought after benefit. The survey also stated that the need for a more challenging role is the most common reason for employees to consider looking for a new job, although those within the public services are more attracted by the opportunity to increase their salary.
Hays also gave an overview of the purchasing and supply market, noting recent economic concerns have not dented the demand for purchasing professionals with many smaller companies setting up purchasing departments for the first time and larger companies considering increased headcounts.
The survey from Hays also went into significant detail about the changes in the public and private sectors with regards to employee's salaries, revealing that due to the restraints of salary banding within the public sector, it remains somewhat uncompetitive with regards to pay compared to the private sector. However, salaries are increasing in line with inflation and the move towards a category management focus within local authorities has seen an 8% increase for category buyers over the past 12 months.
In direct contrast to the inflexible and less than competitive salaries, benefits on offer are highly sought after. The much desired and now very rare final salary pensions are still on offer within the public sector. CIPS training and flexible working hours are a few of the more attractive benefits available for those looking for
purchasing jobs and while these go some way to reducing the pay gap, candidates do often look at salary first and benefits second.
Hays have also examined the skills that are currently on demand in the purchasing and supply industry. Industry qualifications such as CIPS and CILT, remain an asset with 69% of employers questioned considering them valuable skill. As with previous years, there is still a high demand for candidates with IT procurement experience across the country within both the public and private sectors. The effect of current market uncertainty is having a positive effect on demand for indirect procurement professionals. In recent years, the emphasis on indirect specialists has increased as this has been the final area of spend to be included in procurement practices.
Overall, the Hays survey has highlighted that, in general, employees are happy with their work-life balance, with more than 75% indicating that their work life balance is good. Over 60% of respondents work over-time regularly, although 17% feel there is top down pressure and an office culture that encourages it. However, 61% don't mind and 21% are happy to work over time when required.
Looking at the future of the purchasing and supply industry, Hays believes the environment and the much talked about 'carbon footprint' of organisations will also continue to have an affect and bring sustainable procurement practices to the forefront. Opinion is split as to which will have the greater impact. Almost 50% of those working within the purchasing and supply chain feel that the environment and so called 'green issues' will be the greatest influencer on procurement and logistics in the coming 5 years. Whereas, employers feel that the economic climate has more power to affect and change the professions.
About Hays Purchasing and Supply:
Hays Purchasing & Supply is a subdivision of Hays Plc, the FTSE 250 Company which employs 7,753 staff operating from 376 offices in 25 countries across 17 specialisms including
finance jobs,
telecoms jobs and
admin jobs. Hays Plc placed circa 68,000 candidates into permanent jobs and paid circa 46,000 temporary workers weekly during the year ending June 07.
PR Contact:
Katy Tapp
Marketing Communications Assistant
Hays Social Housing
Charter House
13 - 15 Carteret Street
London
SW1H 9DJ
020 7222 6543
www.hays.com# # #
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