In-demand staff call the salary shots

High-calibre professionals in the freight and logistics sector are aware that they can negotiate their salary packages when pursuing new career opportunities, as companies continue to face a national shortage of key revenue generators. This is one of the startling recent trends Natalie Barrass and Jackie Roberts, members of Bertlie Recruitment, which specialises in recruiting for freight and logistics firms nationally, have noticed over the past year. “It is apparent that our candidates are tempted to accept counter offers or demand incredibly high salaries. The trend is prevalent in the business development sector,” Roberts said. “We have seen a significant shift of senior management from one company to another within the freight industry. There have also been a number of companies downsizing and going through retrenchments. This results in companies not replacing staff members who have left as they allocate more responsibilities to current staff members,” Roberts said. Barrass said there was a shortage of certain skilled professionals. “There is a need for business development executives within the clearing and forwarding, courier and road freight industries,” Barrass said. She added that there was also a shortage of skilled estimators and senior entry clerks in all modes of transport. “Due to the increase in companies wanting to develop the Far East trade lane over the past two months our clients have been seeking the skills and expertise of Far East specialists who are able to converse in Chinese/ Mandarin to develop the Far East trade lane,” Barrass said. Roberts added that clients had not been in a position to provide immense training and up-skilling of graduates and junior staff over the past year. “Their initial request has been for candidates who are ready to hit the ground running,” Roberts said. Barrass and Roberts were upbeat about the short-term outlook. “We feel positive approaching the end of the year as we aim to provide candidates with ideal opportunities, which will enhance their careers as well as provide our clients with a professional service for all their recruitment needs” Roberts said. INSERT & CAPTION 1 It is apparent that our candidates are tempted to accept counter offers or demand incredibly high salaries. – Jackie Roberts INSERT & CAPTION 2 Clients have been seeking the skills and expertise of Far East specialists who are able to converse in Chinese/Mandarin to develop the Far East trade lane. – Natalie Barrass