Logistics Hiring Experiences Rebound: Study

New data from Randstad reveals that logistics hiring has rebounded sharply following a slowdown earlier this year. Worldwide, permanent job postings have risen 16% year-on-year, from a low of 396,000 in June to 461,000 by September, recording steady month-on-month growth of 4–8% through the summer. Similarly, in the United States for example, job postings for temporary warehouse logistics workers grew by over 150% over the last two years. This sustained surge suggests that the challenge of finding talent has increased.

However, this hiring rebound masks a systemic talent crisis: three in four logistics organizations (76%) report facing acute talent shortages that go beyond the holiday season. There’s an urgency to attract and retain workers to address long-term talent scarcity, as well as meet demand ahead of the busiest period of the year.

"We see a massive wakeup call in logistics. This isn't just about finding more drivers or pickers for the holidays; it's about structural changes. The worker who used to lift boxes now has to run more complex systems. We're telling workers their job is going digital, but then they’re offered limited access to training; less than three in 10 get it. It’s time for employers to play catch up and invest in the huge potential of blue-collar talent. We can no longer run a 21st-century supply chain with a 20th-century mindset," says Sander van ‘t Noordende, Randstad CEO.

Key takeaways:

·        While 60% of logistics roles are expected to change through AI and automation, only 28% of talent report access to training and upskilling opportunities. As a result, upskilling hasn’t caught up with the digital transformation, leaving many workers feeling unprepared for the demands of changing modern logistics technology. 

·        Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents say they would leave their current role due to a lack of career advancement.

·        At the same time, the skills challenge is compounded by workers feeling undervalued, despite growing demand for talent in this sector. According to Randstad’s Workmonitor 2025 data, pay and flexibility in terms of working hours are the biggest motivator for talent in logistics, yet fewer than half (46%) feel they are paid fairly for the work they do, and almost half (49%) have left previous jobs due to inadequate wages. 

·        While more than half (55%) of logistics professionals entered the sector because of job availability, this data shows workers now expect more than just employment. They’re looking for fair pay, flexibility and clear career progression opportunities.