Industries Scout for Talent Amid Economic Shifts

Top Sectors Seek Specialized Professionals as Hiring Patterns Evolve

The Argentine labor market is experiencing a nuanced recovery, with certain industries showing robust demand for talent while others navigate a more cautious hiring landscape. This divergence is creating significant opportunities for skilled professionals, particularly in specialized fields.

High-Demand Sectors Emerge

Several key sectors are actively recruiting, driven by their essential role in the economy. Federico Carrera, Co-Founder & COO of High Flow, notes that “reality is heterogeneous, and each industry is responding differently to new news of relative prices.” He identifies sectors like oil and mining, automotive (cars and motorcycles), financial services, fintech and HR-tech, and importers as leading the hiring charge.

Ezequiel Palacios, Associate Director of Executive Search, concurs, highlighting the oil and gas sector as a major beneficiary in the first half of the year. He also points to “strong demand in technology, AI, software, and cybersecurity, manufacturing industries (plastic, paper, cosmetic), services (fintech, consulting, logistics), and everything linked to e-commerce, sales, and data analysis.” Palacios emphasizes that these are “sectors that not only demand talent but are leading market conversion.”

Management and Technical Roles Lead the Charge

When it comes to specific roles, Patricio Dewey, Commercial Director and Marketing of Adecco Argentina, observes a pronounced focus on middle and management positions. “Headquarters and management in areas such as IT, logistics, human resources, engineering, and finance are the most dynamic levels,” he states.

There’s also a notable increase in entry-level hiring, particularly within logistics, where seasonal needs often boost demand for operators and temporary staff. Dewey adds that “C-Level profile searches exist, but they are less frequent and are linked above all to strategic medium or long-term processes in larger companies.”

Compensation and Work Policies Shift

Salary benchmarks for management roles are consolidating, typically falling between 7 and 8 million pesos, often with two to three bonus salaries. However, flexibility policies are seeing a significant change, with a trend towards more in-office presence. Federico Carrera mentions, “More and more companies are approaching a 4×1 format instead of 2×3 that post-pandemic was lived.” He notes, “Some even work every day in the office, and those that are full remote are fewer and fewer.”

“Oil & Gas and Pharma continue to offer the best salaries, together with large technology companies,” Carrera adds. Daniel Urman, Director of Numan, Headhunter Industrial, confirms that “the sectors of energy and mining offer the most competitive packages in the market.”

“This difference is explained not only by the technical complexity of operations, but also by the particular conditions of field work, which in many cases develops under a roster regime.”

—Daniel Urman, Director of Numan, Headhunter Industrial

For instance, a maintenance manager in an energy or mining operation can earn between 12 to 17 million pesos monthly. Production Managers in Upstream (Oil & Gas), particularly in areas like Vaca Muerta, might see salaries ranging from 15 to 22 million pesos. Industrial Plant Managers in sectors like auto parts or mass consumption can expect between 9 to 15 million pesos, though Urman cautions that significant salary dispersion exists based on company size, location, and business stage.

Key Skills and Profiles in Demand

Germán Ruíz, Director of Operational Talent Solutions at Randstad Argentina, identifies technology roles as highly sought after. “Developers, experts in data and information security, infrastructure specialists, and systems professionals are in high demand,” he states. He also notes that economics, administration, finance, and actuarial graduates, especially those with strong English skills, are in demand, as are engineers across various specializations.

In the commercial arena, Key Account Managers (KAMs) and Business Development Representatives (BDRs) are particularly sought after, alongside digital commercial roles related to marketing, communication, and foreign trade. In the health sector, demand remains strong for doctors, medical directors, surgical instrumentalists, nurses, and biochemists.

Ezequiel Arcioni, Director at Michael Page, emphasizes the need for increasingly specialized professionals with strategic vision and adaptability. “In addition to having experience and technical knowledge, the most competitive profiles are those with soft skills, like empathetic and effective communication,” Arcioni explains. “The integration of new technologies and English proficiency are key to standing out in the labor market.”

Cecilia Tonelli, Recruitment and Selection Coordinator at Group Management, highlights the importance of adaptability and learning capacity in today’s rapidly changing environment. “It’s not just about filling vacancies but also about incorporating profiles that can grow, evolve, and contribute value in dynamic environments,” she says. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for workers with strong digital skills is projected to grow significantly, with jobs requiring advanced digital skills expected to increase by 23% by 2030.

Ultimately, the most valued talent integrates technical skills with emotional intelligence, collaboration, and a commitment to organizational objectives.