Navigating the North West Procurement & Supply Chain Profession

Navigating the North West procurement and supply chain profession

The North West continues to be a dynamic centre of industrial, manufacturing, and logistics activity in the UK.

From Greater Manchester’s advanced manufacturing to Merseyside’s distribution corridors and Lancashire’s network of suppliers and producers, procurement and supply chain functions in this region are evolving fast.

With change comes both challenge and opportunity for attracting and retaining the right talent.

With 15 years in recruitment, I’ve witnessed many of these transitions. Here’s what I see now and what I believe employers and professionals should focus on.

A Region in Growth Mode

Procurement and supply chain operations in the North West are growing fast, driven by investment, innovation, and regional strengths:

Digital adoption is accelerating, with Made Smarter-supported manufacturers delivering over £240m in economic growth.
Cheshire led the UK in industrial investment in 2024, with £286m in deals, outpacing London and the South East (Logistics Manager).
A proposed rail freight hub between Liverpool and Manchester could create 6,000 jobs and unlock logistics potential
Developers are planning large-scale logistics sites, like the 1m sq ft Carrington hub to meet supply chain growth.

A Competitive Talent Market

The region’s growth has intensified the demand for skilled procurement and supply chain professionals:

CIPS research shows inflation and supplier risk are key priorities for professionals, creating demand for strategic procurement skills.
Morrisons’ investment in digital twin tech reflects the growing need for digitally savvy supply chain teams.
National initiatives like the Digital Supply Chain Hub are driving tech adoption and workforce development.
PwC data shows 77 per cent of leaders have implemented real-time visibility tools and talent must keep pace.

What Employers Need to Know

To compete for top talent, employers must adapt to what candidates value:

Purpose matters. Candidates want roles that contribute to business growth, not just operations (Supply Chain Dive).
Flexibility is essential. Gartner found 59 per cent of candidates prioritise flexible work over salary.
Brand makes a difference. CIPS reports 94% of applicants care about employer branding.
Streamlined hiring wins. Slow or unclear processes turn off top talent (Korn Ferry).

What Candidates Are Looking For

Today’s professionals expect more than just a job title:

Flexibility and autonomy are non-negotiable and top reasons for accepting offers (Gartner).
Clear development pathways (e.g. CIPS qualifications, ESG exposure) matter more than ever.
Digital tools and transformation projects attract talent eager to work with cutting-edge systems.
iHire and IQ Partners confirm that values, culture, and transparency are top decision drivers.

What’s Next for Procurement and Supply Chain Recruitment?

The landscape is evolving fast and this is what we expect to see:

Specialist skills in ESG, risk and analytics will become increasingly valuable.
Digital fluency in platforms, data tools, and automation will be a baseline requirement.
Cyber risk in supply chains is rising – influencing hiring, supplier vetting, and systems.
Expect continued demand for purpose-led work, internal growth, and flexible working.