Summary

• The permanent and contracting job market was strong to the end of 2025, although the market for permanent roles has slowed slightly over the first quarter of 2026.
• Our contractor numbers were strong at the end of 2025, with higher volumes compared to previous years, and this increased volume has continued into the first quarter of 2026. We will explore some of the reasons for this trend below.
• With around 20 years of procurement experience within Australia and overseas, including senior roles with Twitter and Asana in San Francisco, we had the privilege of spending some time with Alexandra Goffey this month.

Market update

After a strong end to 2025, the market for permanent roles has slowed slightly over the first quarter of 2026. Demand hasn’t disappeared, it has simply become more targeted and value driven. In practice, this is resulting in fewer “nice-to-have” hires, increased scrutiny on the ROI of each role, and longer, more considered hiring processes.

Overall, the market can be best described as cautious and employer led at volume level, while still remaining candidate short for top tier talent.

From a candidate’s perspective, a persistent challenge in the market is the overall experience throughout the hiring process. Many candidates remain frustrated by extended offer timelines and increasingly lengthy interview stages. Delays in post interview feedback are also common, often leading to disengagement, especially when other opportunities are moving forward more quickly.

Contracting Team  

Our contractor numbers were strong at the end of 2025, with higher volumes compared to previous years. This increased volume has continued into the first quarter of 2026 and is reflective of a growing reliance on temporary and contract roles across the broader market.

Some of the factors that are contributing to contracting growth includes:

Sizeable project based work – Project driven environments have always supported strong contractor demand. With a range of planned or in progress programs of work across Australia in areas like, energy, utilities, construction and infrastructure, contractor demand will remain strong in these areas for the foreseeable future.

Tapping into specialist skills – Areas like AI and data analytics have become a crucial part of procurement functions but many organisations have struggled to keep up with these skillsets across their workforce. Likewise, many organisation lack the skills, experience or capacity to execute planned procurement uplift programs without bringing in additional resources. Skilled and readily available contracting talent across all levels can provide an immediate solution to these challenges without the long term commitments associated with FTEs.

Economic uncertainty  – If the first few months of 2026 are anything to go by then the economic outlook for the coming year could be turbulent. Economic uncertainty often leads to nervousness around FTE hiring decisions, but contractors can provide immediate and often specialised resources whilst avoiding the longer term liabilities associated with FTEs.

Candidate appetite – Of course, for demand to increase there also needs to be a suitable pool of candidates who are willing to take a contracting role. We are seeing a steady increase in candidate appetite for contracting, with many moving into these roles for the first time in their career (across all levels).

Shift in work preferences

We are starting to see a shift in work preferences and, whilst flexible working is still the overall preference, workers (perm and contractors) seem more willing to spend time in the office/onsite, compared to the previous 12 months.

Whilst some roles require more onsite time than others, 2/3 days per week on site/in office or rotation (e.g. one week on, one week off), seems to be the most common approach where flexible working is an option, with both clients and contractors supporting these types of arrangements.

SPOTLIGHT

With around 20 years of procurement experience within Australia and overseas, including senior roles with Twitter and Asana in San Francisco, we had the privilege of spending some time with Alexandra Goffey this month.

Q. How did you get into procurement, and what has kept you in the profession?

At university, my heart was set on becoming a business journalist. Towards the end of my studies, I had a change of heart and decided to pursue a corporate career instead. By chance, I found my way into a graduate program set up by the Queensland Government that introduced me to the world of procurement. Since that point, I’ve always worked in and around procurement.

I love how procurement touches every part of an organisation, and the diversity of products and services that our roles impact. I’ve helped source everything from strawberries to body bags to data centres to partners for K-pop marketing campaigns. No year has ever been the same!

Q. You have worked across a range of industries and countries, are procurement challenges unique to each, or have you seen common themes?

While every company and industry is unique in its own way, all procurement teams I’ve worked with have been focused on providing responsive, compliant and cost conscious services. I never want to go into a company with a prescriptive approach for procurement, because I want to get to know how the people and processes work together. At the same time, I’ve gained a good amount of experience now to have a solid idea of how the processes should flow to make procurement delightful for stakeholders and suppliers alike.

Q. What role do you see AI and automation playing in the future of procurement, and where do you think they will have the biggest impact?

I’ve already witnessed the power of introducing AI into procurement workflows in reducing friction and saving time in the procurement process. We’re only at the start of enabling its capabilities as a loyal assistant to the human driven procurement work. I don’t believe procurement should be entirely “frictionless”, but if AI can smooth the flow of data and information and reduce the amount of menial processing work, it will free up a lot of time and mental capacity for interpreting and acting on all the amazing data that’s available to us.

Q. What’s your approach to building high performing procurement teams?

My role as a leader is equal parts enabler, problem solver and hype person. I’m a firm believer in empowering my team to do what they do independently, but I also never shy away from a good whiteboard session to dig into specific problems. I love to celebrate successes on my team and encourage everyone to cheer each other on!

Q. What advice would you give to professionals aspiring to move into a Head of Procurement or Director level role?

A former CFO I worked for used to always say, “Make your footprint bigger than your foot”. Look at ways in which you can expand your influence beyond what’s written in the job description. That could be proactively identifying process improvement opportunities, building relationships and influence with different business teams, or finding ways to mentor others both inside and outside your team. In addition, feedback is a gift, and if you’re unsuccessful in an opportunity at the next level, seek to understand the gaps and use these to inform your own development.

Q. Looking back on your career, what advice would you give to your younger self?

At the end of the day, so much of our satisfaction with work comes down to the people we work alongside. You already likely have a bigger network than you think you do, and those people might already be powerful advocates for you that you can tap into. Make the most of those connections, check in on people and you never know who might pop up in your life in your future.

A FEW MOVERS IN THE MARKET

Congratulations to everyone who moved into new roles over the last few months, including:

• Thomai Veginis who was appointed Chief Procurement Officer at V/Line.
• Jeff Green, who will be joining CS Energy as Head of Strategic Sourcing and Supply in April, after seven years at News Corp.
• Alex Popic who started a new role with Questas Group as Head of Procurement.
• Natalie Pratt who joined Toll Group as Group Head of Procurement.
• Ryan Kirgan who started a new role with CIMIC Group as Head of Procurement.
• Christel Martin who was appointed CPO at Public Transport Authority WA. 
• Renee Hodge who joined St Vincent’s Health Australia as General Manager Procurement.
• James Stock who has been promoted into the role of General Manager Procurement at News Corp.
• Siju Johny who is the new Head of Procurement and Fleet at BaptistCare.
• David Hurrell who left Infrastructure NSW to join Tourism Australia as Head of Procurement.
• Derek Yen who joined Evolution Mining as the Group Manager, Procurement.

We always enjoy jumping on a quick call or video chat, whether it’s a 15 minute catch up or a deeper dive to talk about the market, your team, talent trends, career plans and any upcoming opportunities you’re exploring yourself.

Ilsa and the team.