The UK is experiencing a surge in supply chain job vacancies within the energy and utilities sector, signalling a significant shift towards renewable energy solutions.

According to data from recruitment company Robert Walters’ “Hiring trends report”, there has been a 48% increase in supply chain vacancies nationwide since the beginning of the year.

Neil Morgan, associate director at Robert Walters, commented: “With continued climate threats and governments around the world tightening the reins around business sustainability and greenwashing – demand for supply chain and procurement professionals within this space is swelling.”

Procurement vacancies in London have reportedly spiked by 16.5% compared to last year’s average. This surge in London contrasts regional decreases in procurement roles, with declines noted in the North (-10.6%), Midlands (-4%), and the South (-3.14%). However, London’s buoyancy has bolstered the national vacancy landscape, with the capital seeing a 102% increase in energy and utilities vacancies compared to last year.

Mike Stevens, senior manager in supply chain and procurement at Robert Walters, predicted a promising outlook for the rest of the year, anticipating a balance in regional decreases as the economy stabilises. “Employers are holding onto talent amidst market unsteadiness, but we expect this to even out in the second half of the year,” Stevens remarked.

Fuelling this surge in supply chain roles is seemingly due to the growth in renewable energy services. Job advertisements for professionals with procurement skills in renewables have increased by 301%, while those featuring supply chain management expertise have surged by 255% compared to April 2023.

Morgan emphasised: “Company supply chains are some of the biggest global polluters – and huge corporations across industries are seriously considering their options when it comes to renewable energy.”

This in turn has promoted major corporations to hire professionals capable of steering them towards climate and carbon-free objectives, Morgan continued to explain.

Moreover, with a growing emphasis on sustainability within supply chain management, national job advertisements for supply chain and logistics professionals with sustainability skills have surged by 17% over the past year, with cities like Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham showcasing substantial demand for this talent.

The trend towards sustainability is also reflected in the increased uptake of supply chain courses, with sustainability and ESG-related topics ranking high on the list of in-demand skills.

“Experts in sustainable supply chains are becoming key figures in driving responsible business practices and long-term sustainability solutions,” Morgan affirmed.