Proven Strategies for Finding the Right Logistics Talent

In a fast-paced, constantly evolving sector like logistics, having the right people in the right roles is essential. Whether you're managing inventory, coordinating transport, or fulfilling time-sensitive deliveries, your workforce must be skilled, adaptable, and reliable.

However, finding qualified logistics professionals in New Zealand is becoming increasingly complex. With demand for workers outpacing supply, employers need to adopt smarter, more strategic approaches to recruitment.

At Max People, we support logistics companies across the country by connecting them with job-ready workers through flexible labour hire and permanent recruitment solutions. Here's what we’ve learned about building high-performing logistics teams.

Why Logistics Hiring is Challenging Right Now

Several trends have converged to make logistics recruitment more difficult in recent years:

• Rapid growth in e-commerce has increased the need for warehouse staff, dispatchers, and delivery drivers.
  
  
• Tight labour markets mean fewer jobseekers are available for entry-level or shift-based roles.
  
  
• Evolving technology in supply chain management requires workers who can adapt to new systems and tools.
  
  
• High turnover rates are common in logistics, especially where working conditions are physically demanding or inconsistent.
  
  

To stay competitive, employers must look beyond standard hiring practices and invest in more tailored, proactive strategies.

1. Define the Right Skill Set

Rather than simply hiring for experience, focus on the skills that matter most in logistics:

• Attention to detail
  
  
• Physical stamina
  
  
• Time management
  
  
• Basic tech literacy
  
  
• Adaptability under pressure
  
  

Use job descriptions that prioritise these traits and assess candidates with practical or scenario-based interviews.

2. Speed Up the Hiring Process

In logistics, timing is everything—including in recruitment. Delayed hiring often results in lost productivity or overburdened teams. To improve hiring efficiency:

• Streamline your application and screening process
  
  
• Pre-qualify candidates with the help of a recruitment partner
  
  
• Prepare onboarding materials in advance to get new hires started quickly
  
  

Working with a provider like Max People’s logistics labour hire team gives you access to workers who are already vetted and ready to go—saving you time when demand spikes.

3. Embrace Flexibility in Your Workforce

One way to overcome skill shortages and shifting workloads is to build a flexible staffing model. This might include:

• Hiring casual workers for seasonal peaks
  
  
• Offering part-time or night shifts to broaden your candidate pool
  
  
• Creating multi-skilled roles to cover more functions
  
  

Flexibility helps you match labour to workload and reduce the risk of burnout.

4. Use Data and Technology in Recruitment

Modern logistics recruitment benefits from digital tools that can:

• Track candidate performance over time
  
  
• Match skills with role requirements
  
  
• Automate job advertising and screening workflows
  
  

If your internal team lacks capacity, a recruitment partner with tech-enabled systems can handle this for you—improving both quality and speed.

5. Partner with Industry Specialists

Recruitment agencies that understand logistics are better positioned to help you find the right people faster. At Max People, we work with New Zealand logistics firms to deliver:

• Pre-screened candidates for roles in warehousing, transport, dispatch, and more
  
  
• Staff with relevant certifications and experience
  
  
• Labour hire or permanent placement options based on your needs
  
  

We also monitor compliance requirements and manage the employment process end to end—giving you more time to focus on operations.

6. Retain Talent with Better Work Conditions

It’s not just about finding the right talent—it’s about keeping them. To improve retention:

• Offer consistent shift patterns when possible
  
  
• Recognise performance and reliability
  
  
• Provide pathways to upskill or move into more senior roles
  
  

Investing in your workers creates loyalty, reduces turnover, and boosts your brand reputation among jobseekers.

The Max People Approach

We know logistics doesn’t slow down—and neither should your hiring. Max People offers industry-specific recruitment support tailored to logistics and warehousing businesses across New Zealand. Whether you need one temp to fill a gap or a full team to scale with growth, we can help you source the right people at the right time.

Visit our Logistics Labour Hire page or get in touch to find out how we can help strengthen your logistics workforce.