Thailand and the Asia-Pacific Region occupy an increasingly strategic position in the global manufacturing and supply chain industries. With big names such as Apple and HP looking to diversify their supply chains and shift production to Thailand, and other industries like EV automotive manufacturing making big investments in the region the country is poised to take centre stage. But Thailand’s emerging importance in the manufacturing and global supply chain industries and growth potential is not without its challenges. Particularly in the face of a looming economic slowdown. 

3 talent acquisition challenges in the manufacturing and supply chain industries

At Jackson Grant, our experts are keeping a keen eye on the evolving landscape of talent acquisition in the manufacturing and supply chain industries across Thailand and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Companies face an array of unique challenges, the most pressing being:

1.    The need for specialised skills
Cutting-edge technologies such as additive manufacturing, machine learning and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are changing the face of manufacturing and supply chain industries. These innovations require a workforce equipped with specialised skills, ranging from 3D printing expertise to data analytics and AI-driven supply chain optimisation. Other skills are also in high demand. As multinational companies establish themselves in Thailand and the broader Asia-Pacific region, the demand for candidates with strong English skills has soared. 

However, sourcing and attracting candidates with these highly sought-after skills poses a challenge. Both the manufacturing and supply chain industries are experiencing a skills gap. Where demand for candidates with the right skill sets far outstrips supply. Governments and businesses need to find innovative solutions to this problem including upskilling, global talent sourcing and developing a sustainable talent pipeline.

2.    The Battle for Top Talent
The scarcity of key skills has led to intense competition between businesses for top talent in the industry. In this highly competitive landscape, attracting and retaining skilled professionals has become a formidable challenge. Companies that struggle to secure the best talent face a range of consequences.

First and foremost, they may experience a lack of innovation and poor growth. Secondly as competitors offer higher salaries to tempt employees away, the costs of employee turnover can be staggering. Both in terms of recruitment expenses and the loss of institutional knowledge. Finally, a workforce that lacks the necessary skills can lead to inefficiencies, errors, and missed opportunities, affecting the bottom line, and jeopardising long-term success. 

3.    Navigating Market Trends
Recent market trends have the power to affect talent acquisition in the manufacturing and supply chain industry significantly. As we’ve seen the adoption of new technologies has accelerated the demand for talent with expertise in these areas. Sustainability concerns have also shifted the landscape, with businesses looking for candidates with knowledge of supply chain transparency, and green logistics. 

Most importantly recent global trade dynamics, particularly the ongoing economic slowdown and threat of recession have caused businesses to be more strategic about workforce planning and retention and to look for ways to make their recruitment more cost-effective and efficient. It has also caused candidates to be more careful in their decisions to move roles adding to the ongoing talent shortage. 

How our expertise can help your business overcome today’s talent acquisition challenges

At Jackson Grant our leadership team has decades of experience of the labour market in Thailand as well extensive industry specific knowledge that makes us the leading recruiter for the manufacturing and technological industries in the region. 

We help businesses across the manufacturing and supply chain sectors, like yours, overcome talent acquisition challenges through:

1.    A deep understanding of the local and regional job markets
This insight empowers your business to compete more effectively for talent by identifying and capitalising on unique regional strengths and weaknesses. With this knowledge we help you adapt your recruitment strategies in real-time, staying agile and responsive to market changes, local trends, salary expectations, and emerging skill requirements. Allowing you to source, attract and retain the key talent you need to drive innovation and growth. 

2.    Tailored recruitment solutions 
Aligning talent acquisition with your business goals is paramount for sustainable success. By closely collaborating with your businesses, we ensure that every hire contributes directly to your growth and strategic vision. Our approach tailor’s recruitment strategies to meet your unique objectives. It integrates all aspects of the recruitment process, from sourcing to onboarding, optimising hiring lead-times, and enhancing efficiency. This not only accelerates time-to-fill but also significantly reduces costs associated with prolonged vacancies and high turnover rates. 

3.    Building partnerships for long-term success
Building an enduring relationship with your RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) partners is important in overcoming talent acquisition challenges. Long-term partnerships help us develop a profound understanding of your company's culture, values, and evolving talent needs. This enables us to provide more targeted and effective recruitment solutions, reducing time-to-hire and enhancing candidate quality. The ongoing relationship helps with proactive workforce planning, allowing you to stay ahead of industry shifts and market trends. 

As Thailand's leading manufacturing and supply chain recruitment agency, we can support your expansion into Thailand and Southeast Asia and help you hire experienced, technically proficient, English-speaking candidates.

Learn more about JacksonGrant’s innovative service offering or get in touch to discuss your requirements.