Rising Expectations

Data from the 2008 Logistics Recruitment Annual Salary Survey for supply chain and logistics professionals shows respondents in the Middle East are obtaining higher pay rises, are more qualified, more multi-lingual and generally more optimistic about their careers than their counterparts around
the world.

SURVEY RESPONDENTS Logistics Recruitment surveyed employees in America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Overall, 24 per cent of the total respondents are employed in logistics with 51 per cent classif ied as Logistics Manager. Meanwhile, 19 per cent are employed in supply chain with a quarter working as National Supply Chain Manager.

In the Middle East, 31 per cent of the respondents are employed in logistics with more than half working as Logistics Manager, while 13 per cent are employed in Sales and Marketing.

SALARY INCREASE AT LAST REVIEW Overall, 31 per cent of respondents received between three and five per cent pay rise, whereas 48 per cent of Middle East-based respondents received a salary increase of more than eight per cent.

EXPECTED SALARY INCREASE A fifth of respondents worldwide believe their salary will increase at their next review by more than eight per cent, compared to almost half of Middle East-based respondents.

HIGHEST QUALIFICATION Of all respondents 25 per cent have obtained a Postgraduate degree as their highest qualification, with a further 21 per cent having obtained a Bachelor’s degree. In the Middle East, 32 per cent have a Postgraduate degree while a further 31 per cent have a Bachelor’s degree.

FLUENCY IN LANGUAGES Globally, 31 per cent of respondents are fluent in two languages, with 23 per cent fluent in three. In comparison to the Middle East, 39 per cent of respondents are fluent in two languages and 35 per cent are fluent in three.

STAFF LEVELS Reflecting the strong growth in the Middle East logistics sector, 78 per cent believe there will be an increase of staff levels in the next year, compared to 57 per cent globally.

FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS Overall, 61 per cent of companies hire temporary or contract staff, while only 27 per cent of regional companies do.

HIRING OVERSEAS Sixty per cent of global respondents would consider hiring someone from overseas, yet believe the ‘cultural fit’ would be the biggest challenge. In comparison, 82 per cent of Middle East-based respondents would consider employing overseas candidates yet cite that visas and work permits would be the predominant challenge.