The jobs market in the packaging industry is expected to remain subdued in 2026. Thomas Schmitt of insight International Management Consultants offers a nuanced assessment of the current situation at interpack 2026 – and outlines what executives need to achieve during times of transformation.
Cautious investments in uncertain times
„I believe that the staffing situation will also continue to be rather subdued in 2026,“ explains the experienced headhunter. „Ultimately, companies are simply cautious about investments in uncertain times like these, and hiring additional staff is also an investment in the end.“
While backfill and strategically important roles continue to be filled, Schmitt does not expect a major boom in new hires. This indicates a market for 2026 that will be characterised primarily by targeted key appointments, rather than broad headcount increases across all functions.
New leadership qualities and cultural fit
The demands on leaders have changed due to the ubiquitous transformation processes. „We are observing that communicative strength is particularly in demand from leaders,“ says Schmitt. „Explaining changes, to their own people, to their own workforce, managing to inspire and take people along for these numerous changes.“ In addition to communicative strength, a fundamental openness to change and resilience are crucial qualities.
When it comes to recruitment, Schmitt sees cultural fit as a crucial success factor: „Culture is something you can talk a lot about, but I believe you have to feel it.“ To find the right fit, he deliberately seeks close contact with companies and invests time in understanding their respective corporate cultures.
Skills shortages as a strategic blind spot
Schmitt sees demographic change and the shortage of skilled workers as important issues that are not yet strategically sufficiently considered: „Everyone is aware of the topic. And anyone who examines the numbers of first-year students at established universities will surely be very worried.“ While he understands the focus on current challenges, he emphasises: „For the long-term competitiveness of the packaging industry, the issue of skilled worker shortages and demographic change is absolutely central.“
For the near future, Schmitt predicts the continued importance of the sustainability theme as well as an increased practical application of artificial intelligence in industry. The packaging sector faces the challenge of concretely integrating AI into business models and industrial reality – a transformation that simply will not succeed without the right people on board.
