As we round out 2025, the procurement and supply chain landscape has never been more dynamic. From technology-led transformation to sustainability priorities and talent shortages at senior levels, this year has reshaped how organisations hire and what top professionals expect from their careers. Here’s our end-of-year recap, highlighting the trends that defined talent demand across the UK and global markets, and what they mean for mid-level and senior appointments in 2026.
- Strategic procurement finally gets the spotlight
Gone are the days when procurement was seen as purely transactional. In 2025, organisations increasingly viewed procurement as a strategic business driver - elevating its role in cost optimisation, resilience building, and cross-functional growth initiatives. Mid-to-senior leaders with experience in strategic sourcing, supplier risk management, and cross-enterprise collaboration were consistently prioritised.
Why It Matters for Hiring
Companies aren’t just recruiting buyers; they’re seeking leaders who can translate procurement strategy into organisational impact. Roles such as Heads of Procurement, Senior Category Managers, and Supply Chain Directors saw heightened demand as organisations continued investing in strategic capability.
- Digital fluency became table stakes
Digital transformation was a defining theme in 2025 and it directly impacted recruitment priorities. Employers wanted procurement professionals fluent in digital platforms (SAP, Coupa, Oracle), spend analytics, AI-enabled forecasting, and data-driven decision-making.
This shift meant that digital literacy isn’t optional, it’s essential for aspiring senior leaders. Candidates who could demonstrate not just familiarity but strategic application of these tools stood out in a crowded mid-senior marketplace.
- Sustainability and ESG recruitment went mainstream
Sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have” attribute, it is central to procurement and supply chain leadership. With net-zero commitments, regulatory tightening, and stakeholder scrutiny on ESG performance, organisations appointed sustainability-focused procurement leaders to drive ethical sourcing, carbon-reduction initiatives, and transparent supplier networks.
Senior and Mid-Level focus areas
- ESG strategy integration
- Low-carbon procurement leadership
- Supplier sustainability audits
- Scope 3 emissions strategies
These capabilities are now considered core competencies for mid-senior professionals seeking strategic roles.
- Flexible and interim leadership roles grew
Another notable trend this year was the rise of interim and project-based leadership roles. Businesses leveraged specialist interim executives to lead transformation programmes, digital rollouts, and risk management initiatives, often bridging gaps that traditional hiring couldn’t fill quickly enough.
For senior professionals, interim and contract leadership offered high-impact assignments and visibility into transformation work without long-term commitments. For employers, it provided agility in an uncertain economic environment.
- The talent gap at Mid-Senior levels remains real
Despite active hiring, many organisations struggled to close the gap between the skills they wanted and the talent available, especially for strategic and digitally savvy senior posts. Compensation expectations, hybrid work demands, and rising expectations around leadership capabilities contributed to extended time-to-hire for key roles.
What this means for talent strategy
To attract and retain senior procurement professionals, companies increasingly need to:
- Benchmark competitive remuneration
- Offer hybrid and flexible working models
- Elevate EVP around purpose and growth
- Invest in internal nurturing pathways
These factors are now critical to securing the right leaders in a competitive market.
Looking ahead: What will shape 2026 hiring
As we move into 2026, the signals are clear: organisations will continue prioritising digital capability, strategic leadership, sustainability expertise, and resilience-focused talent. Candidates who position themselves as business-savvy leaders, not just procurement specialists, will have a significant edge.
Download Our 2025 End-of-Year Report
Want a deeper dive into the trends shaping procurement and supply chain hiring in 2025, and what top leaders are planning for 2026?
Download our full End of Year Report - packed with data, insights, salary benchmarks, and sector-specific analysis to inform your hiring or career strategy.
