Beyond the money: What Really Matters to Supply Chain Candidates in 2025?
While salary remains an essential part of any job offer, it's no longer the primary motivator for many professionals when considering a career move.
In our 2025 Supply Chain Salary Survey and Market Report, we went beyond the numbers to better understand what drives candidate decisions in today’s supply chain job market. We asked candidates to share what matters most to them when evaluating a new role—and the responses revealed a clear shift in priorities.
Questions: What’s most important to supply chain professionals when considering a new opportunity?
Key Takeaways
Career Growth is the number one priority
Almost half of all respondents cited career development and future opportunities as their top priority. Candidates are increasingly focused on roles that offer learning, advancement, and a clear path forward.
Flexibility Still Matters
Over a quarter of candidates highlighted flexibility and WFH options as their main consideration. This reflects the growing desire for better work-life balance and autonomy in how and where work gets done.
Salary Isn’t Everything
Surprisingly, only 3.4% of respondents said that salary was their most important factor. While compensation remains a critical piece of the puzzle (and likely a dealbreaker if it falls outside of expectations), it's not the main driver in decision-making.
Culture and Security Still Play a Role
A meaningful portion of candidates are prioritising team dynamics and job security—a reminder that trust in leadership, team fit, and organisational stability still influence the candidate experience.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a ranked survey—we simply asked candidates to name the single most important factor influencing their next move. And while salary will always be part of the equation, it’s clear that career growth, flexibility, and meaningful work environments are leading the way in 2025.
For employers, this is a valuable insight: to attract and retain top supply chain talent, it’s no longer enough to lead with a competitive salary alone. You need to demonstrate how your organisation supports long-term growth, flexibility, and a strong team culture.
You can access the full copy of our 2025 Supply Chain Salary Survey and Market Report