November 2026 Suffolk Logistics Hiring Update

Hiring across Felixstowe, Ipswich, and the wider Suffolk logistics corridor remains busy as we head into the final weeks of the year. Here is a clear look at where local demand sits right now, what roles are paying, and how to plan your recruitment this month.

Where the demand sits across Suffolk

Freight forwarding continues to dominate local recruitment activity. Across our live desk this November, freight forwarding accounts for 19 vacancies, reflecting steady movement in import, export, and customs operations across Felixstowe.

Warehousing follows closely with 9 live roles, as regional sheds and port-centric facilities manage winter inventory. Transport operations remain active with 5 vacancies, alongside 3 roles for professional drivers. Further across the local market, we are currently handling 1 vacancy each in shipping, senior management, industrial equipment, and accounting and finance.

Candidates with solid multimodal or customs experience know their worth, and good people are rarely on the market for more than a couple of weeks.

Current salary benchmarks from our desk

Keeping pay competitive is the fastest way to secure good people before year-end. Based directly on our recent advertised vacancies across Suffolk, here is where local median salaries currently sit:

• Driving: £46,250 (based on 10 roles)
• Industrial equipment: £47,500 (based on 3 roles)
• Transport: £43,750 (based on 16 roles)
• Senior management: £42,500 (based on 6 roles)
• Freight forwarding: £33,500 (based on 23 roles)
• Warehousing: £32,500 (based on 14 roles)
• Shipping: £30,000 (based on 3 roles) Driving and transport management roles continue to command strong packages across the county. If your advertised rates sit below these local medians, you will likely find hiring processes dragging out or offers being declined in favour of neighbouring operators.

What to do this month

• Benchmark your forwarding salaries: If you are recruiting operations or customs staff, measure your offer against the local median of £33,500. Falling short by even £1,500 will noticeably reduce the quality of your shortlist.
• Tighten your interview turnaround: With 19 forwarding roles and 9 warehouse positions competing for attention in Suffolk right now, candidates often hold multiple offers. Aim for no more than two interview stages, completed within five working days.
• Protect your driving and transport workforce: Advertised driver medians have reached £46,250, while transport roles sit at £43,750. Review your current staff packages now so you are not caught off guard by departures in January.
• Start January hiring processes immediately: Notice periods in freight and transport run from four weeks to three months. If you need someone at their desk in the new year, your advert needs to go live before mid-November. If you want an honest conversation about securing the right team in Felixstowe or Ipswich, we are always here to help.