Hays Manufacturing & Ops - October 2007

Hotspots

Design engineers with specific software skills in Solidworks and Inventor, predominantly in the special purpose machinery and packaging sectors, are a hotspot. Meanwhile production supervisors and managers, including reliability (shut down specialist) are required. In addition, we have begun to see more opportunities in project engineering/management within the M&O market.

The coming quarter

The market is well placed to continue its current levels of vacancy activity, which is expected to be highest for middle to upper management vacancies. The market is currently dominated by permanent vacancies and there are no indications this will change.

Executive recruitment:

Executive roles are few and far between - candidate shortages do not exist at this level, with vacancies instead in short supply, although the executive market is expected to become active again in 2008. Conversely, at management level vacancy activity is high.

Salaries

Salaries for production and design specialists have increased, however rates for project, R&D, general engineering and supervisory roles remain steady. Examples abound of candidates declining offers because the salary was not competitive, or because their present employer has counter offered them with a higher rate. However over the coming quarter employers will need to review their salary offers, particularly for production and design specialists at the middle management level.

Candidate trends

Consistent movement is occurring within production planning, scheduling and supervision, as candidates explore options available. Movement is not as fluid in design, drafting and R&D. Candidates within the production area are demanding higher salaries, however many have inflated expectations as they lack the required knowledge, skills and expertise to meet the requirements of the positions. They Hays Salary Survey is a good indicator of current market rates and is available at www.hays.com.au/salary

Other trends

With a number of plants shutting down or ceasing to conduct capital improvement works, demand has reduced for maintenance engineers, planners and supervisors, however higher demand exists for HSE and EHS coordinators for plant demolitions and decommissions. On the up side there are a number of FMCG, special purpose and packaging businesses determined to continue trading in Australia.