Mitigating the Impact of Tariffs Through Strategic Talent Acquisition

By Diana Doro, VP of Business Development, Orion Talent 

As global trade tensions rise and tariffs fluctuate, businesses face increasing pressure to manage costs while maintaining operational stability. Tariffs can drive up expenses for raw materials, manufacturing, and transportation. They also create ripple effects, such as supply chain disruptions, production delays, and market instability.

Compounding these challenges is a persistent shortage of skilled talent in critical functions like supply chain, logistics, procurement, and technology. Without the right people, companies struggle to respond effectively to economic shifts, manage operations efficiently, or maintain profitability.

To remain competitive, businesses must focus not only on cutting costs but also on strengthening their workforce. Strategic talent acquisition is key to resilience, growth, and adaptability—and that’s where Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) can make an impact.

Labor Shortages Amplify the Impact of Tariffs

Increased Pressure on Staff
Tariffs inflate supply chain costs, and when companies can't hire enough skilled workers, the burden falls on existing employees. This leads to burnout, reduced productivity, and higher turnover, which further weakens business performance.

Operational Strain and Disruption
Tariff-related disruptions in sourcing or delivery demand quick adjustments. Companies without enough skilled professionals in key roles are less able to adapt, resulting in inefficiencies, delays, and lost revenue.

Profitability Concerns
With rising costs and limited capacity to optimize operations, businesses face tighter margins. A lack of skilled talent makes it harder to improve processes, negotiate better contracts, or adopt automation—putting profitability at risk.

How RPO Helps Offset the Impact of Tariffs

RPO offers more than just recruiting support. It provides a strategic, scalable approach to workforce challenges that can help businesses stay agile and reduce costs.

Industry-Specific Expertise
RPO providers understand sector-specific challenges and know how to find talent with the right skills to address them. Their expertise helps businesses stay compliant, efficient, and responsive to changes in global trade. 

Access to Unique Talent Pools
Veterans, for example, bring valuable experience in logistics, procurement, technology, and manufacturing. Their adaptability, leadership, and strong work ethic make them ideal for roles impacted by tariffs and supply chain disruptions. They also offer geographic flexibility for hard-to-fill positions.

Recruitment Agility
Tariff changes can be sudden. RPO providers offer the flexibility to ramp hiring up or down quickly while maintaining candidate quality. This responsiveness ensures businesses can adapt without delay.

Cost-Effective and Scalable Solutions
Compared to traditional recruitment models, RPO reduces overhead and recruitment costs. Providers use data and insights to improve hiring efficiency, optimize channels, and allocate resources more effectively, freeing up budget to address other operational needs.

Retention Strategies to Reduce Turnover
Hiring is only half the equation. Employee retention is equally critical. High turnover increases costs, disrupts operations, and lowers morale. RPO providers help businesses improve retention by implementing comprehensive strategies that foster communication, provide targeted feedback and delivery actionable insights to help retain employees over the long term.

Conclusion

Tariffs and labor shortages are serious challenges, but businesses don’t have to face them alone. Strategic talent acquisition—especially through RPO—helps organizations control costs, maintain productivity, and stay agile in uncertain markets.

RPO gives companies the talent, tools, and flexibility they need to adapt and thrive. With the right partner, businesses can turn workforce challenges into opportunities for smarter growth and long-term success.

Contact us today to discover how we can help you turn workforce challenges into opportunities for success!

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