The workforce in the logistics sector grew by 12% in Brazil between 2018 and 2023, increasing from 2.63 million to 2.86 million professionals, according to the report ‘The Workforce in the Logistics Sector in Brazil,’ prepared by Gi Group Holding in partnership with Lightcast, a data analysis company on the labor market. The growth was driven by investments in increased logistical capacity post-pandemic but still does not address the sector’s main bottlenecks: lack of qualifications, low diversity, and an aging workforce.
In Latin America, the number of job postings in logistics surged from 3,546 in 2019 to over 2.39 million in 2024—an increase of 67,000% in just five years. However, the study indicates that a significant portion of hiring remains focused on traditional operational roles, such as warehouse operators, packers, and drivers, while demand grows for more qualified professionals.
“We have a sector that has rapidly grown in job volume, but whose talent base is still concentrated in operational roles. The challenge now is to ensure workforce qualifications keep pace with this advancement. Otherwise, there will be a structural bottleneck that could hinder the country’s logistical potential,” says Alexandre Gonçalves Sousa, manager of the logistics division at Gi BPO, a specialized outsourcing unit of Gi Group Holding.
Just among warehouse operators, Brazil has over 1.5 million professionals. In contrast, specialized roles remain underrepresented despite the significant increase in demand for these positions. Demand for safety engineers grew by 275.6% in 12 months. Meanwhile, skills such as robotic process automation (+175.8%), computerized maintenance management (+65.3%), and customs regulation (+113.4%) are among the most sought-after by companies.
“Logistics is becoming increasingly technological and connected. The demand for skills such as process automation, artificial intelligence, and computerized maintenance management indicates the sector has already entered the Industry 4.0 era, but the workforce still needs to keep up with this transformation,” highlights the manager.
So-called soft skills are also gaining ground. Among the highlights are team motivation (+122.5%), strategic decision-making (+93.4%), and customer focus (+51.4%), which indicates the growing appreciation for profiles with leadership, management, and results-oriented vision.
Aging and Male-Dominated Workforce
The survey also shows that the logistics sector still faces historical challenges. One of them is gender inequality. Women account for only 11% of the formal workforce in Brazil, with very low representation in roles such as supply chain management, logistics, and machine operation.
“Even with some progress, female presence remains very low in logistics. We need to go beyond hiring targets and focus on creating inclusive environments with real opportunities for women to grow at all hierarchical levels,” argues Alexandre.
Age is also a critical factor. Professionals between 25 and 54 years old account for 74% of the workforce, while young people under 25 make up only 11%. Meanwhile, workers over 65 total 111,966 people—a group expected to leave the market in the coming years.
“The data showing over 111,000 professionals over 65 still active in Brazilian logistics reveals how much the sector depends on a generation about to exit the market. Attracting young people and promoting succession will be vital to ensuring stability in the medium and long term,” he warns.
Planning and Qualification Are Essential for the Future
For Gi Group Holding, the logistics sector will only sustain its growth with investments in training, diversity, and workforce planning. The company operates with integrated solutions in recruitment, BPO, RPO, training, consulting, and long-term employability across various economic sectors, including industry, consumer goods, technology, retail, and services.
“Companies that invest now in qualification strategies, continuous training, and efficient talent management will be better prepared to face the growing complexity of supply chains. The workforce needs to evolve alongside the sector,” concludes the Gi BPO manager.
