Hiring in Supply Chain: Guide and Trends in 2025

More Supply Chain jobs expected due to digitalisation, sustainability and localisation

In 2024, the demand for supply chain professionals with specialised skills in regional logistics, green technologies, and data analytics surged.

Companies increasingly shifted towards local suppliers to diversify and strengthen their supply chains while embracing artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.

“These trends have driven a growing need for professionals with expertise in regional logistics, green logistics, sustainable technologies, and digital skills,” says William Unthario, Senior Consultant at Robert Walters Indonesia. “We anticipate these hiring trends will remain strong going into 2025.”

Read on to find out more about William’s expectations for Indonesia’s labour market and hiring trends for Supply Chain professionals in 2025.

Hiring market to center on digitalisation, sustainability and flexibility

As businesses prioritise digitalisation and sustainability, a skills-based hiring approach is becoming more prevalent. Employers will focus on candidates with capabilities in AI, data analytics, and green technologies.

Upskilling initiatives will also become more important, helping companies retain talent and bridge skills gaps in digital supply chain management and sustainable practices.

Contract and project-based hiring will gain traction, particularly in engineering and logistics, as organisations seek greater flexibility to adapt to fluctuating demands.

Top roles and skills in 2025

Companies are still localising supply chains, and they need professionals who can manage local supplier networks, negotiate costs and ensure supply chain resilience. Therefore, regional sourcing and procurement managers will be greatly sought after in 2025.

To comply with environmental standards and make operational processes more eco-friendly, companies will be after specialists who can develop and implement sustainable practices. Demand will be high for sustainability and ESG specialists.

Lastly, there will also be strong demand for heads of supply chain. “A company’s success often hinges on the strength of its supply chain strategy,” William explains. With supply chains becoming more intricate, businesses seek leaders capable of overseeing end-to-end operations, driving digital transformation, and enhancing resilience.

The most in-demand skill sets for the year ahead are in project management, research and development, strategic leadership and change management.

Get ahead with talent mapping and recruitment

William points to job security, flexible work arrangements, compensation, and medical benefits that include family coverage as some of the factors that matter most to candidates when they contemplate a move in today’s job market.

For companies looking to hire and retain talent in 2025, William recommends investing in career development and upskilling. It is also important that companies recognise employee contributions and provide clear pathways for career progression. “All of these help employees grow their careers, and it also keeps them looking ahead,” he adds.

Finally, it is also advisable to be proactive in talent mapping and recruitment. This helps organisations understand what skills are needed, identify gaps that may be present, and create a talent pipeline for the long run.

No big changes to salaries

In 2025, salaries are expected to increase at regular rates, without big spikes for most positions.

Find out more

Request access to our 2025 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in Indonesia.