the 2013 bluesteps · members can stay informed of executive job market trends and news via the...

The 2013

BlueStepsExecutive Job Trends: Industrial & Manufacturing

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BlueSteps425 Fifth Avenue, 4th FloorNew York, NY 10016Phone: 1 (800) 363-1207Email: [email protected]: www.bluesteps.com

BlueSteps Executive Job Trends: Industrial & Manufacturing3

About Our StudyFunctional Roles

BlueSteps Executive Job Trends: Industrial & Manufacturing

Executive SummaryThe BlueSteps Executive Job Trends in the Industrial & Manufacturing Sector survey was conducted in October 2013 and received 206 responses from BlueSteps member executives worldwide.

Most executives stated that they were most concerned with the pressures their company and the general industry places on profitability and cost reduction (28%). In addition, senior-level executives’ top career management concerns were finding new career opportunities (40%) and career growth and stagnation (22%).

Worldwide executives also predicted the top 3 factors that they believe will impact the industrial & manufacturing industry in 2014. These included cost reduction (47%), human resources (33%) and automation (20%). Only 27% of executives stated that their company is prepared for digital transformation.

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.9%

1.9%

2.6%

2.6%

3.2%

3.9%

5.2%

5.2%

5.2%

5.8%

7.8%

7.8%

8.4%

16.2%

18.2%

CMO

Owner / Entrepreneur

President

R&D / Product Development

Technology

Finance & Accounting

HR & Training

Marketing & PR

Board Director

CFO

CTO/CIO

Other

Business Development / Sales

Consulting

COO

Operations / Production

General Management

CEO


10%

10%

13%

16%

22%

28%

Globalization/regional issues

Credit/capital availability

Competition/market share

Economy

Finding/attracting qualified talent

Profitability/costs

4 BlueSteps Executive Job Trends: Industrial & Manufacturing

Top Executive Business Concerns

Top Executive Career Management Concerns

11%

13%

13%

22%

40%

Employment stability

Lack of qualified talent

Staying innovative/up to date

Career growth/stagnation

Finding new opportunities

The majority of industrial & manufacturing executives were most concerned about profitability/costs (28%), finding/attracting qualified talent (22%) and the economy’s impact on their business (16%).

One executive commented: “I'm optimistic about the future. The use of new technology and a focus on both revenue and cost, not just cost, will result in improved performance.”

Most industrial & manufacturing executive respondents were concerned about finding new opportunities (40%), career growth/stagnation (22%) and staying innovative/up to date in their industries (13%).

One executive commented: “My main concern is keeping up a network that will recognize my ability. It seems like there is no interest in looking for good people, only one of mitigating risk by selecting candidates that ‘tick every box.’”


Highest Priority Skills for Workforce Success

2.30

2.50

3.30

3.93

4.46

4.51

Knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering processes

Ability to work with computerized systems

Ability to operate automated manufacturing systems

Ability to read manufacturing blueprints

Understanding of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems

Ability to read and write machine programming code

Highest Priority Skills for Executives Success

14%

11%

21%

22%

33%

Sector knowledge

Communication

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Management/motivation of people

“Leadership and mentorship skills. Senior executives need to remember that people are their most valued resource. Too often, it appears we are putting the profit margin higher on the scale than our people. Without a workforce that feels the company is looking out for them, efficiency and productivity will drop, which will lead to decreased profits and a downward spiral.”

Executives in the industrial & manufacturing sector believe that “knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering processes” and the “ability to work with computerized systems” are the highest priority skills for their workforce to have in their industry.Respondents were asked to rank the choices listed above from “1” to “5,” with “1” being the highest priority.


Company’s Overall Preparedness for Digital Transformation

3%

6%

18%

25%24%

19%

5%Excellent (one of world's top)

Leader (but not top)

Strong

Good

Fair

Weak

Very Weak

Top Three Factors Influencing the Industrial & Manufacturing Sector in 2014

47%

33%

20%

Cost reduction

Human resources

Automation

Industrial & manufacturing executives predicted that cost reduction (47%), human resources (33%) and automation (20%) will be the factors that will most impact their industry in 2014. Energy efficiency, onshoring and outsourcing were also listed frequently in executives’ responses to this question.

Almost half (49%) of industrial & manufacturing executives rated their preparedness for digtal transformation as “good” to “fair.” 24% believed their preparedness was “weak” or “very weak.” Only 27% of executives said their preparedness was “strong,” “leader (but not top)” or “excellent (one of world’s top).


BlueSteps425 Fifth Avenue, 4th FloorNew York, NY 10016Phone: 1 (800) 363-1207Email: [email protected]: www.bluesteps.com

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the 2013 bluesteps · members can stay informed of executive job market trends and news via the...

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