Procurement and supply is a highly skilled profession that requires a robust and diverse skill set. A commitment to ongoing technical and personal skills development is therefore essential to succeed as a procurement and supply professional. It is also necessary to futureproof your career.
The CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Guide 2025, in partnership with Hays, reveals the five skills deemed most important by procurement and supply professionals around the world. Communication skills top the list, followed by negotiation skills, supplier relationship management skills, critical thinking skills/curiosity and sourcing skills.
In light of technological change and the transition to a net-zero economy, it is also essential that procurement and supply professionals develop digital and sustainability skills. This point is highlighted by the CIPS Global State of Procurement & Supply 2025 survey, a survey of procurement and supply leaders from around the world. When asked which skills and behaviours they wish to build in the year ahead, respondents cite new technology skills (41%), enhancing sustainability (38%) and innovation (36%) among their top five.
The importance of strategic thinking to procurement and supply professionals is also highlighted by the State of Procurement & Supply research. Nearly half (47%) of respondents plan to develop strategic skills over the next 12 months.
Talent shortage
There is an ongoing shortage of skilled procurement and supply professionals with appropriate levels of knowledge and expertise – as the CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Guide highlights. Globally, 59% of those responsible for hiring procurement and supply professionals say they have struggled to find the right talent over the past 12 months.
Skills rank highly among employers’ greatest hiring challenges, globally. Other major challenges relate to candidate availability, salary expectations and organisational fit. Skills-related challenges are the biggest hiring challenges facing employers in Asia, MENA and South Africa.
The research also shows that, in some regions, a lack of skills is preventing procurement and supply professionals from progressing in their careers. In South Africa, for example, over half (52%) of respondents are likely to stay with their current employer because they need additional training and development to step up to a new role.
By investing in skills development, procurement and supply professionals can create new opportunities for themselves within their existing organisation. They can also boost their attractiveness to external employers.
The MCIPS advantage
For ambitious procurement professionals looking to get ahead in their careers, becoming MCIPS is a logical route to follow. Having MCIPS demonstrates your expertise and technical excellence to employers. It shows that you’re dedicated to your career, to ethical standards of practice and to operating with integrity.
Without doubt, MCIPS is a major advantage in a competitive jobs market. Over half (52%) of employers globally say that they prefer candidates who are either MCIPS or studying towards it.
What’s more, MCIPS can significantly boost your earnings. With MCIPS, you are more likely to earn more, get a pay rise and be eligible for a bonus.
Find out how to futureproof your career with MCIPS here.