New research has found there were 7,200 UK vacancies for HGV drivers and 4,831 openings for supply chain managers at the end of September 2021.
Packaging retailer RAJA UK analysed the distribution and logistics roles that are most in demand, highlighting average salary, number of vacancies and job requirements.
It found an HGV driver earns an average salary of £32k and a supply chain manager £42.5k.
Starting pay for drivers is usually £19,000 and can go up to £36,000 for the more experienced.
Manchester was looking to hire the most HGV drivers, followed by Warrington in Cheshire.
Distribution manager roles were also in high demand with 3,400 vacancies in the UK. The average salary is £44.3k and requirements include certification from CIPS, IOMS or ILM.
A total of 52,000 industry vacancies were recorded in the research. These included a futher 1,461 warehouse operative roles with an average salary of £21,293 and 1,978 purchasing manager vacancies with an average salary of £45,231.
Top of the pay league come sourcing specialists where there were 1,308 vacancies. The job commands an average salary of £48,917 and involves using sourcing strategies to negotiate the best price on goods, services and materials from suppliers.
London has the most sourcing specialist job postings, with salaries starting at £37,500 and venturing up to £62,500 per year.
Depending on the role, travel both in the UK and abroad and a full driving licence is required.
Average salary figures were collected from Glassdoor, vacancy figures from Reed and HGV driver vacancy figures from the RHA.