The optimistic business world sees the US economy showing some degree of economic recovery, and judging by the improvement in manufacturing last month in addition to rising export orders, predictions are looking up. Leveraged by a temporarily weak US Dollar, companies across the country are moving forward with their plans for economic pivoting, and with it the need for talent naturally arises. This is particularly the case in the supply chain sectors such as 3PL warehousing, distribution, trucking, transportation, shipping, and freight forwarding. While some cities are beginning to return to job listing volumes consistent with pre-COVID-19 levels, others are growing their tech and engineering demand to new heights.
At the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, companies rushed to figure out how to ensure their employees could most effectively work from home. By June, the mission was trying to determine how to safely bring them back to the office. After improvising for a considerable length of time, companies are now shifting back to longer-term planning—and that means hiring for flexible situations both remote and on-site. Job requirements that are highly in demand for this shifting industry include automating systems, enhancing cyber security settings, and moving systems into the cloud.
Data released by the Institute for Supply Management shows that the US Purchasing Managers Index for July climbed for the second month in a row after a three-month decline, finally reaching 54.2 (any reading of 50 or higher indicates growth). After the initial economic stall from the COVID-19 pandemic, growth is evident both nationally and internationally. Nationally, five of the top manufacturing sectors have expanded; production grew 4.8% from June to 62.1, reaching its highest level since August 2018. International business also returned to expansion mode. New export orders were up, rising 2.7% to 50.4 while imports grew from 4.3% to a reading of 53.1.
The pandemic is far from over, but companies are in a better position to engage in long-term planning, and technologists are a vital part of those plans. Tech unemployment dropped to 3.7 percent in May; compare that to the 13.3 percent national unemployment rate. Companies of all sizes needed technologists who can not only build, maintain and secure their technology infrastructure, but also build new products. Amazon, which experienced a significant rise in business during the pandemic, was the top employer in Q2, hiring for a variety of technologist roles including software developer, network engineer, program manager, and systems engineer. Amazon looks for skills ranging from Java and C++ to machine learning. Large defense companies such as General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman have been hiring many engineers and developers as well. In a major supply chain upgrade, Lowe’s says it plans to open 50 cross dock delivery terminals, seven bulk distribution centers and four e-commerce fulfillment centers over the next 18 months. Twitter announced that they’re going to shift to the majority of employees working remotely on a full-time basis which will only increase the need for sysadmins, cybersecurity experts, and network engineers who can keep widely distributed networks maintained and safe.
In this highly competitive job market, companies are transforming the way they hire. Integress Engineering and Technical Recruiters is a boutique technical search firm specializing in identifying talent in the manufacturing, medical device, industrial automation, distribution/ materials handling, and IT fields. We provide laser-focused recruiting for all levels of technical roles from temp positions, to individual contributors, all to the way to middle and upper management. Our placements are found through highly strategic, comprehensive, individualized, nation-wide headhunting. These methods yield executive-level quality search at every level. Our goal is to free up our clients’ attention back to developing their product and company and away from the overwhelming cost of talent search and acquisition. If you need a recruiter that will take the time to understand your company’s specific needs, goals, and business culture in order to best find the perfect fit for your next hire, contact Integress here.
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If you are a 3PL and are in need of the following roles we will be able to perform an executive search or discreetly head hunt on your behalf:
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