Hiring in Supply Chain & Engineering: Guide and Trends in 2025

Hiring demand for supply chain and engineering talent softened as businesses enacted cost savings measures in 2024. Despite this, Kritsada Suthepakul, Senior Manager at Robert Walters Thailand, notes that some sectors experienced growth due to Thailand’s strategic advantages and industry-specific trends.

New initiatives focused on positioning Thailand as an operational and regional office hub bolstered activity in some areas, providing a foundation for business expansion. The food and beverage industry, in particular, saw continued growth due to lower wages and material costs. Retail and real estate continued its post-COVID expansion, creating new opportunities in construction as a complementary sector. The electronics industry also benefited from geopolitical shifts.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Seaboard, more Japanese companies exited the region, leading to the departure of many expatriate talent that were working in these firms. Chinese businesses strengthened their regional presence by partnering with local firms and expanding their own offices. The electronics, electric vehicle and food industries also grew their footprint, while original equipment manufacturers (OEM) ramped up activity following investments into the space. However, many of these plants are not yet fully operational. Overall, there was a greater emphasis on sustainability across all businesses last year.

Given these market movements, Chinese language communication skills are highly prized, says Kritsada Suthepakul, Senior Manager at Robert Walters Thailand. However, the number of candidates who have business-level proficiency in the language remains low.

Read on to find out more about Kritsada’s expectations of the labour market and hiring trends for Thailand’s Supply Chain & Engineering professionals in 2025.

Companies committed to finding the right candidate

Companies are increasingly committed to hiring the right talent and are prepared to pay a premium, a trend that’s expected to carry into 2025.

Employers now seek individuals who go beyond traditional roles in supply chain and engineering, favouring high performers who can work across functions and drive business outcomes. As Kritsada states, “Companies are insistent on cultural alignment and soft skills, often opting to expand the search or delay hiring if necessary.”

Senior professionals nearing retirement continue to secure solid opportunities with both multinational and Thai-listed companies, with stock options frequently offered to retain critical talent in management roles. The hiring process itself has evolved, with candidates increasingly using AI tools to enhance their CVs, and companies extending interview stages to include personality assessments and skill evaluations.

Frequent job changes are now seen as a red flag, as hiring managers prefer to avoid candidates perceived as high turnover risks. “While some are willing to invest in promising talent, most would rather leave a position vacant than onboard someone with an uncertain track record,” adds Kritsada.

High demand for business-savvy, tech-skilled talent

Candidates with strong business acumen and fluency in Chinese remain highly valued, especially if they can leverage technology to boost productivity through tools like Lean, AI, and Power BI.

The most in-demand roles for 2025 include supply chain managers, demand and supply planning managers, and specialists in sourcing and procurement. In engineering, there’s a high demand for talent in quality assurance, R&D, and roles such as plant and operations managers.

Elevated expectations from candidates

Candidates are increasingly mindful of job security, with many actively exploring new opportunities amidst organisational changes like restructurings and mergers. However, they remain firm in their expectations, especially with added risks in the current job market. To attract top talent, companies must not only offer competitive salaries but also prioritise flexibility, remote work options, family-inclusive benefits, and career advancement opportunities.

As competition for talent gets stiff, Kritsada advises companies to consider candidates’ potential and to streamline their recruitment processes to create a positive candidate experience.

Salaries remain consistent

Job movers can expect standard salary increments of 20%, though some may receive 25 – 30% pay bumps as employers offer above-market compensation to secure top talent.

Find out more

Request access to our 2025 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in the Supply Chain & Engineering industry in Thailand.