The number of people searching for supply chain roles in the UK has spiked since the start of the coronavirus lockdown last month, according to global job search website Indeed.

Starting from 31 January, the day the first case of the virus was recorded in the UK, searches for the position of ‘supply chain manager’ began to rise.

They rapidly increased on the day lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson (23 March), increasing by nearly two-thirds (65 percent).

Global jobs platform Indeed analysed UK search data for the period of 31 January-18 March at the request of the Daily Update.

Across the same period, advertisements by employers seeking warehouse staff rose by 31 percent.

Supply chains have been under great strain globally as the outbreak has slowed down freight lines and impacted manufacturing output.

Warehouse workers in demand

This follows Indeed’s report last week that since serious concerns about the virus began in the West in January, postings for warehouse workers and searches for supermarket roles increased at the same time.

Data from Indeed for the period 31 January-18 March showed:

• 31 per cent increase in demand from employers for warehouse-based workers
• 313 per cent rise in job searches for roles at supermarkets
• 22 per cent decline in job postings in the travel and accommodation sectors
• 12 per cent fall in food and beverage sector postings

Warehousing jobs include roles selecting, packing and sorting items for delivery.

Graph of job searches for 'supply chain manager' from 31 January to 27 March (Source: Indeed)

Supermarkets boost home delivery services

Major supermarkets including Asda, Co-op, Morrisons and Tesco are posting thousands of new jobs to provide an increased home delivery service for customers observing government advice to stay indoors at home.

Data from Indeed shows supermarkets are leading in the search for delivery staff between 31 January and 18 March. Inventory and courier services have also been significantly increasing their number of warehouse role postings.

The IOE&IT’s job board

For export, import and supply chain related jobs, visit the Institute of Export & International Trade’s jobs board.

Members of the IOE&IT can also post jobs or upload their CVs onto the board.