July 29 Employment Market Report: Background Hiring for Purchasing Roles and HR Biz Korea Recruiting HR Experts for Game Company

Franchise Expansion and Rising Demand for IT HR Management Capabilities

Recently, dining franchises and technology-based entertainment companies have taken center stage in the recruitment market. An analysis of public recruitment data reveals that a total of 49 companies are hiring through numerous job postings. In particular, the dining industry is seeking key talent to drive aggressive store expansion, while the IT and gaming sectors are heavily recruiting HR specialists to sophisticate their organizational management. This suggests that companies are increasing investment in key back-office roles responsible for supply chain management and organizational operations, moving beyond simple sales positions.

(Inc.) Background has proceeded with multiple hires, including recruiting talent for the purchasing department of a sandwich franchise. They are seeking purchasing experts who can procure raw materials and control costs, going beyond simple store staff. In the dining franchise industry, where menu price competitiveness is directly linked to corporate survival, there is a clear movement to build systematic supply chains. The role of a purchasing manager is essential for maximizing margins while maintaining consistent quality.

Additionally, the company recruited for manufacturing technology roles at a semiconductor equipment specialist and for bonded warehouse (customs) specialists. This shows a pattern where demand for mid-level staffing and hunting, expanding into manufacturing and trading, remains concentrated through specific agencies rather than dispersing. Meanwhile, (Inc.) HR Biz Korea posted job openings for an HR Business Partner (HRBP) and Labor & HR Specialist (COE) for a global gaming company based in Pangyo. As the scale of business grows, the demand for high-level HR experts has surged to resolve organizational culture management and complex labor issues. These companies are selecting experienced hires through professional hunting firms to refine their recruitment processes.

Competition for Specialized Technical Talent Across Diverse Industries

An analysis of recruitment trends by specific job function shows that demand in manufacturing and engineering sectors remains stable. (Inc.) HR Global Network recruited for production facility maintenance and overseas sales roles at an automotive seat and dashcam manufacturer, while (Inc.) Senior & Partners recruited mechanical design (CAD) and PCB design engineers. This reflects a broad industry demand for versatile talent covering everything from technical design and production management to global sales, driven by the advancement of smart factories and the electronic components industry.

Competition for talent is fierce in the IT and platform sectors as well. Specific talent matching agencies recruited senior-level development project managers for an AI platform company located in Mapo-gu. In new technology fields, the importance of senior-level personnel who can successfully lead projects and resolve technical bottlenecks is growing. Additionally, numerous hirings were confirmed for legal and compliance officers at major conglomerates, as well as finance and accounting staff and test engineers at foreign companies. As companies grow in scale and global business activates, the importance of specialized roles for maintaining internal controls and financial soundness is coming to the fore.

Recent industry demands for purchasing managers to optimize supply chains and HR specialists to enhance organizational agility suggest that companies are shifting their focus from external growth to strengthening their internal foundations.

Expansion into Service Sectors and Demand for Medical & Beauty Personnel

Recruitment is also active in consumer-facing service industries and medical/beauty sectors. A dermatology clinic newly opening near SinSA Station is simultaneously recruiting nursing assistants, skin aestheticians, and coordinators, launching a massive talent acquisition drive in line with the new opening. With the expansion of the beauty and medical markets, there is a continuous demand for personnel responsible for service quality at patient and customer touchpoints. Specialized service sector recruitment continued, with Play Muse Practical Music Academy hiring vocal instructors and a women's clothing brand looking for showroom staff.

Hiring is also underway in the franchise, sports, and cosmetics industries to improve customer service and product management quality. (Inc.) Coffee Bean Korea recruited full-time supervisors for the Korea University Anam Station branch to bring in mid-level managers who inspect and manage store operations. The scope is very diverse, ranging from counselors at the car-sharing platform Socar, to sales managers, production managers, and seafood web order managers at cosmetics manufacturers. Food manufacturers like Nice Food are also continuously posting job notices to secure regular full-time employees for their production departments.

These multifaceted recruitment trends show that the industry as a whole has fully adapted to the changed market environment post-pandemic. Moving forward, companies are expected to expand the hiring of experienced professionals with specialized skills and expertise over simple repetitive tasks to strengthen core internal competencies. The competition to secure talent in roles that underpin the company, including supply chain and HR management, is expected to continue for the time being.