Here are four areas where you can stand out as you look for a new opportunity.
According to the CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Guide 2025, in partnership with Hays, a large proportion of procurement and supply professionals around the world expect to move to a new employer within the next 12 months.
Globally, 40% of respondents are looking to switch employer. The most likely to want to move are those in the Middle East and North Africa (60%), followed by South Africa (55%) and Asia (54%).
On the employer side, the survey’s respondents said they are struggling to fill talent gaps just as their procurement and supply teams are expected to grow. Employers also spelled out what it is they’re looking for in new hires – and here are four key things they want to see.
1. MCIPS
More than half (52%) of the employers surveyed for the CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Guide 2025 said they prefer candidates who already have MCIPS or are studying for it. The designation carries major advantages for employees too, offering a boost in earnings and a higher chance of being eligible for bonuses. MCIPS is particularly popular among leaders: according to the survey, more than 40% of those at the top levels of their organisations have MCIPS.
2. Communication skills
With survey respondents around the world citing a shortage of skilled candidates as their main obstacle to hiring, acquiring and developing the skills employers want is vital. Globally, communication skills are prized, with nearly half (47%) of respondents viewing them as the most important skills for new hires.
3. Digital skills
Artificial intelligence is making a huge impact on the procurement and supply profession, just as it’s transforming the rest of the global economy. While we don’t yet know exactly what effect it will have on specific roles, one thing is clear: employers expect the professionals they hire to grasp how AI and other technologies can be used now, and to adapt quickly as their role in the profession changes. This is partly why so many are trying to fill their talent gaps by developing and training their current teams, but they are also looking for more employees who have already taken up training opportunities for the revolution that’s begun.
4. Leading with trust
While communication skills are the most sought-after skills overall, things are different when it comes to leadership. Asked what the most important attribute for procurement leaders in the next 10 years is, 58% of survey respondents chose integrity and trust. If you are ambitious about taking on a leadership role, it is vital that you show in your work that you take the ethical side of procurement seriously.