Top supply chain, logistics and procurement executives are among the highest paid managers and directors in the Asia pacific region amid global shipping challenges

A new survey reveals that technology is playing a huge role in supply chain, as tech expertise in AI and robotics make the top of the list for technical skills in demand.

But do you have skills in inventory management and can you communicate effectively? This could be the answer to Australians earning a six figure salary, reaching up to half a million dollars a year.

In Bastian Consulting’s latest Salary Survey 2021, supply chain executives from
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand, have
revealed that Supply Chain Directors are the most paid, compared to other
management positions within the sector.

The survey revealed Supply Chain Directors are earning $230-360K AUD a year,
compared to Logistics Operations Director ($180-250K AUD) and Procurement
Director ($240-330K AUD).

Furthermore, Supply Chain Managers are taking home
$130-165K AUD per year, while Manufacturing Managers are earning $100-130K
AUD.

Tech skills in high demand

Supply chain is a high-growth industry. Tony Richter, Founder of Bastian Consulting
said the salaries of supply chain executives reflect the importance of their role in
minimising the impact of global disruption during COVID-19 and beyond.

“Supply chain bottlenecks could last for another year and a half to two years.
Therefore, the need for Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers to plan,
organise, direct, control and coordinate the supply, storage and distribution of goods,
products and services, will continue to be in high demand,” Tony said.

Respondents from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan
and Thailand revealed that Inventory Management is the most sought after technical
skill (58%) when finding an employee, reflecting the shift in skillsets required this year as a result of the challenge of ongoing global supply chain disruptions.

The survey also revealed that technology is playing a huge role in supply chain, as
technology expertise in AI, IoT and robotics are also among the top technical skills in
demand

Growth of e-commerce altering skills required

There was an overwhelming shift towards the need for soft skills in the supply chain,
with the ability to communicate effectively (40%) and collaboration with others (39%)
as key employability skills for top executives.

However, respondents said there is a lack of both technical and soft skills when
recruiting top talent.

There isn’t enough young people working in supply chain

“We’re seeing a real struggle in the market to find talent and we want to help future
proof the talent pool,” Tony said.

Bastian Consulting has recently launched its Graduate Initiative program to help
solve the supply chain and tech talent shortage across the APAC region.

“With candidate salary expectations being the biggest hurdle for over half of the executives surveyed to source talent, the industry needs to do more to invest in raising awareness of the profession as well as market the many opportunities available to young people,” Stephanie Martinez, Partner at Bastian Consulting said.