Hiring in Supply Chain, Procurement and Manufacturing: Guide and trends in 2026

Continued demand for supply chain and manufacturing talent as priorities shift

As organisations plan for 2026, supply chain and manufacturing hiring continues to be shaped by digitalisation, sustainability requirements and the need for greater resilience.

While artificial intelligence and automation remain high on the agenda, many companies are still focused on strengthening core systems and improving data quality. This has increased demand for professionals who can interpret data, connect planning with execution and support better commercial decisions.

Daniel Lee, Senior Consultant for Supply Chain at Robert Walters Indonesia, notes that progress has been uneven across the market.

“There has been a lot of conversation around AI,” Daniel explains. “But many companies are still working through basic ERP, WMS and TMS integration. The bigger challenge is turning data into decisions.”

In manufacturing-led sectors, margin pressure, rising energy costs and supply volatility are also influencing hiring decisions. As a result, organisations are becoming more selective, prioritising capability and impact over headcount growth.

Hiring focus shifts towards capability, integration and resilience

Digitalisation and automation are most visible in transactional and repetitive activities such as purchasing administration, inventory management and basic production reporting. At the same time, demand is growing for roles that sit above execution, particularly in planning, S&OP and strategic procurement.

“Transactional work will increasingly be automated,” Daniel adds. “What’s growing in importance are roles that require judgement, coordination and risk management.”

Regional sourcing continues to be a key priority as China+1 strategies remain in place. Procurement and sourcing professionals with experience building local and regional supplier networks across ASEAN are highly sought after.

Sustainability is also playing a more practical role in hiring decisions. ESG considerations are increasingly influencing sourcing, production standards and quality management, particularly in FMCG, food and basic materials manufacturing. Leaders who can manage compliance while maintaining productivity are in demand.

Roles and skills in demand for 2026

Across supply chain and manufacturing, hiring demand is strongest for professionals who can manage complexity and risk.

Key roles include plant leaders, automation specialists, strategic category managers and S&OP professionals. In manufacturing environments, there is also continued demand for R&D leaders who can localise products, manage reformulation for cost and regulation, and shorten time-to-market.

Beyond technical expertise, employers are placing greater emphasis on stakeholder management, adaptability and the ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights.

Advice for employers and salary outlook

To attract and retain talent in 2026, employers should clearly position supply chain and manufacturing roles as strategic rather than purely operational. Investment in digital upskilling, exposure to transformation initiatives and clear development pathways are becoming increasingly important. Daniel adds, 

The companies that stand out are the ones that invest in capability building and give people ownership of strategic projects.

Salary growth across supply chain and manufacturing roles is expected to remain steady, with moderate increases for most positions. Stronger salary movement is typically reserved for professionals with experience in S&OP, digital implementation, automation and strategic procurement.

Find out more 

Request access to our 2026 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in Indonesia.