Labor Market Trends in FMCG 2025
We are also witnessing active development of Russian businesses, consolidation, and mergers across all sectors: bakery products, dairy industry, pet food, snack products, and others. Within businesses, the main focus is on creating new local products and developing new suppliers of raw materials and packaging.
Which roles are currently in especially high demand?
Employers are actively seeking qualified specialists in R&D, technology, and quality. There is growing demand for strong managers-plant directors, regional directors, and operations managers.
The trend of strengthening technical departments continues-from chief engineers to mechanics and electromechanics. There is a particularly acute need for electronics engineers with programming experience. There is also high demand for project managers and engineers, since launching new production lines and switching to new raw materials and packaging require rapid modernization of equipment. In addition, many companies are allocating extra investments to projects such as "Chestny Znak" (a product labeling system) and lean manufacturing, which in the long term help save resources and automate processes.
Regarding recruitment, the persistent staff shortage in recent years is forcing employers to be flexible in job offers. Salary, location, and the possibility of remote work for key positions are discussed individually. HR managers are practicing a flexible approach to filling vacancies, adapting requirements to specific candidates. For example, dropping English language proficiency from the list of requirements or lowering the required level. At the same time, the hiring process is being shortened: the number of stages is reduced, feedback is provided quickly, and the hiring manager is involved early in the process.
Companies are compelled to take these measures because candidates have a wide range of choices: there is competition for personnel with marketplaces, taxi services, courier companies, freelancing, and other sectors, including IT.
Among the positive trends is an increase in the number of offers for specialists aged 50–60, as well as a willingness to consider women for traditionally "male" positions.
Olga Nikolaeva (Varagina), Team Leader, ANCOR Recruitment