Suffolk Logistics: Hiring Trends for Autumn 2026

This month's update offers a snapshot of the Suffolk logistics job market. We'll look at current vacancy levels and salary trends, giving you insight into what LME Recruitment is seeing across the region. Use this information to benchmark your own hiring plans.

Current Vacancy Landscape

Freight forwarding roles continue to dominate the market, reflecting ongoing activity at the Port of Felixstowe and surrounding areas. We currently have 17 live freight forwarding vacancies. Warehousing (8 vacancies) and transport (6 vacancies) also show consistent demand. These figures highlight where talent is most needed right now.

Other areas with active hiring include shipping (3), senior management (2), industrial equipment (1), driving (1), accounting/finance (1), and supply chain management (1). This spread indicates a broad need for various specialisms, though some sectors are clearly more buoyant than others. Consider where your business needs align with these current trends.

Salary Benchmarking

Understanding salary expectations is key to attracting top talent. Based on LME's own advertised roles, we see some clear median salary points across different sectors. This data is derived from current LME vacancies and offers a practical benchmark.

• Driving roles currently command the highest median advertised salary at £48,750 (from 8 roles). This reflects the ongoing demand for skilled drivers.
• Industrial equipment roles also show a strong median of £47,500 (from 3 roles), indicating the value placed on specialist technical skills.
• Transport roles have a median of £43,750 (from 16 roles).
• Senior management positions are at £42,500 (from 6 roles), showcasing the premium on leadership experience.
• Freight forwarding roles, while numerous, have a median of £33,500 (from 19 roles).
• Warehousing roles are at £32,500 (from 12 roles).
• Shipping roles are at £30,000 (from 3 roles). These figures can help you position your offers competitively in the current market.

What to do this month

• Review your current job descriptions and ensure they reflect accurate responsibilities and up-to-date skill requirements.
• Benchmark your salary offerings against the current market medians, especially for driving and industrial equipment roles.
• Consider how you can make your freight forwarding or warehousing roles stand out, given the high number of vacancies in these areas.
• Plan proactively for future recruitment needs, particularly if you anticipate growth in the freight, warehousing, or transport sectors.