The JIGSAW Report | Q3 2026
More roles, more applicants, and hiring is still hard. Here's why.
Q3 2026 was our second largest quarter by volume in more than three years, with roles registered up 81% on the same quarter last year. That growth came as interest rates rose again, unemployment edged up and job ads fell.
Across the broader market, SEEK reports applications per job ad are close to record highs. Even so, many organisations are still struggling to hire due to high expectations of hiring managers and increase amount of stakeholders involved in the decision making.
Drawing on Jigsaw’s live recruitment activity and market insight, The JIGSAW Report | Q3 2026 explores the hiring trends, salaries and talent availability shaping procurement, supply chain and manufacturing across Australia.
Inside this edition:
Category Managers remain the most in-demand procurement role for a fourth straight quarter.
Supply chain demand shifts from planning to logistics and warehouse execution.
Manufacturing operations packages reset as technical talent holds its value.
Updated salary benchmarking across Procurement, Supply Chain and Manufacturing in NSW, VIC and QLD.
Talent availability, hiring trends and market commentary from Jigsaw's specialist recruiters.
Why is it hard to hire when applications are so high?
Fewer job ads and active candidates applying more widely have pushed application numbers up. The number of strong candidates with the right experience has stayed largely the same.
At the same time, hiring expectations have risen. Most hiring managers want candidates from a similar business and role, with several stakeholders aligned on culture fit. Candidates facing higher living costs expect a meaningful increase to move, while packages have largely held flat. That gap is where most hiring processes now stall.
Procurement hiring and salaries
Procurement remains central to protecting margins. Category Managers made up 31% of procurement roles this quarter, and Mining and Resources became our busiest procurement sector. Category Manager packages rose between 4% and 6% across NSW, Victoria and Queensland, while up to 73% of Category Managers remain passive.
Supply chain hiring and salaries
Logistics and warehouse roles made up 70% of supply chain hiring, with Distribution and FMCG the busiest sectors. Supply chain pay moved by less than 3% for every role year on year. Planning talent remains the hardest to secure, with up to 81% of Demand Planning Managers passive.
Manufacturing, engineering and technical hiring
Quality leadership featured in our top manufacturing roles every quarter this year. Operations leadership packages continued to ease, while engineering, quality and product development pay held steady or rose. More senior operations leaders are open to a move than last quarter.
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Frequently asked questions
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Quarterly hiring demand, salary benchmarks and talent availability for procurement, supply chain and manufacturing roles in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, with commentary from Jigsaw's specialist recruiters.
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Selectively. Category Manager packages rose 4% to 6% on last year, while most other procurement packages held steady. The full report includes average total packages by role and state.
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Contract and fixed-term roles made up 54% of Jigsaw's Q3 hiring and 60% in procurement. Permanent hiring is growing, rising to 46% overall from around a third in Q2.
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Roles registered, candidate engagement and salary benchmarking captured by Jigsaw in Q3 2026, alongside economic data from the RBA, ABS and SEEK.