The Rapid Job Market Update: Speed is the advantage right now (February ’26)

It was just before 6am when our out of hours phone rang.

No time for small talk, just a simple sentence from a client we’ve worked with for years:

“I really need your help, we’re down 4 people and I’m going to struggle.”

Anyone who works in FMCG knows that moment.

A gap like this can ripple through the whole day. Lines slow. Pressure builds. Supervisors start firefighting instead of managing. And suddenly, a “small” staffing issue isn’t small at all.

That call wasn’t unusual. What has changed recently is the market around it. Hiring hasn’t stopped, but it has shifted. And the businesses doing best right now are the ones adapting to that shift quickly.

Here’s what we’re seeing at Rapid day to day.

1. Temp and contract hiring is still doing the heavy lifting

Permanent hiring has slowed. That’s no secret.

But production doesn’t pause while people wait for confidence to return. Orders still need to go out. Customers still expect shelves to be stocked.

What we’re seeing across FMCG sites is a continued reliance on temp and contract staff to keep things moving without locking businesses into long-term risk. It’s not a stopgap. It’s a strategy.

Temp and contract hiring gives teams breathing room. It’s allowing managers to respond to demand, cover sickness, handle seasonal spikes and protect budgets, all without putting future headcount under pressure.

For many sites, it’s the difference between staying reactive and staying productive.

2. More CVs are landing. Not all of them are useful.

Candidate availability has improved. On paper, that sounds like good news.

And it is – until you open your inbox.

More CVs does not automatically mean more suitable people. In fact, it often means the opposite. More applications to sort through. More time spent filtering. More uncertainty around who will actually turn up, settle in, and do the job well.

We speak to hiring managers every week who feel busier than ever, yet no closer to solving their staffing problems. The volume is there. The quality takes work.

This is where experience matters. Knowing which CVs are worth pursuing. Knowing who is reliable, site-ready, and realistic about the role. Knowing when to move quickly and when to say no.

Strong recruiters earn their keep here. Not by flooding inboxes, but by filtering the noise.

3. Pay pressure has calmed down. Finally.

For a long time, pay felt unpredictable.

Rates jumped quickly. Counteroffers became common. Decisions were rushed because no one wanted to miss out.

That has eased.

What we’re seeing now is a much calmer environment. Less wage chaos and bidding wars. Not as many surprises at the eleventh hour. Budgets are more stable, and expectations are clearer on both sides.

That doesn’t mean pay no longer matters – it always will. But it does mean conversations are more grounded. Businesses can plan again. Candidates can make decisions based on more than just the highest hourly rate.

Stability makes better hiring decisions possible.

4. This market is not rewarding “let’s wait and see”

One thing we’re increasingly confident about is this:

Waiting feels safe, but it rarely delivers the best outcome.

Good candidates are still in demand. When the right person appears, they don’t stay available for long. The longer a process drags on, the more average the shortlist becomes.

We see it happen time and time again. A role goes live. A strong candidate is identified early. Decisions are delayed. And by the time approval comes through, that person has moved on.

Speed is the advantage right now. Not recklessness. Not rushing. Just clear decisions made at the right moment.

5. The winners move quickly and filter the noise

The businesses navigating this market best are not necessarily the biggest or the loudest. They’re the ones who know what they need and trust their partners to help them get there.

They move quickly when it matters.

They don’t get distracted by volume.

They focus on fit, reliability, and delivery.

That’s where Rapid comes in.

We don’t overcomplicate things. We understand FMCG realities – early starts, tight margins, weekend cover, last-minute changes. When shift happens, we show up.

Quietly. Reliably. Consistently.

⸻

The jobs market hasn’t fallen over. It’s just become more selective.

There are more candidates available, but fewer second chances. Temp and contract hiring remains critical. Pay is more predictable. And speed is separating the businesses that cope from the ones that struggle.

If you’re navigating similar pressures – or just want a second opinion on what you’re seeing – we’re always happy to talk. These are conversations we’re having every day.

And usually they start with a phone call, even if it’s at 6am!