The procurement and supply profession plays a critical role in driving organisational success. It enables organisations to acquire high-quality goods and services while managing costs and supply chain risks. In today’s uncertain and volatile business environment, that role is more important than ever, boosting both the visibility and the influence of the profession.
Within organisations, the importance of procurement and supply is already widely understood. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents to the CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Guide 2025, in partnership with Hays, say that procurement and supply is very much valued within their organisation (up from 66% in 2024).
Furthermore, 70% of respondents globally say that the perception of procurement within their organisation has improved over the last 12 months. This is likely due to the widespread uncertainty defining the global trade landscape following the re-election of Donald Trump as US president in November 2024. Respondents in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa are most likely to say perceptions have improved.
Procurement as a business enabler
For procurement to become even more valued, it is important that both leaders in organisations, and their teams, know how procurement and supply can support them in their work. Nearly three-quarters of respondents globally (72%) say that directors and heads of department within their organisations understand what procurement specialists can offer. There is more work to be done at team level, however, with 59% saying the same of staff in other departments.
To further improve perceptions of procurement, procurement and supply should look to raise awareness of what the profession does and how it can create both short-term and long-term business value for organisations. It should also aim to increase its visibility at board level.
Notably, a quarter (25%) of respondents to the Global State of Procurement & Supply 2025 survey said the chief procurement officer or senior procurement leader has a permanent seat on the main board. That’s a rise from 19% last year.
Early involvement
Being involved at the start of the project – rather than an afterthought at the end – enables procurement and supply to have the greatest positive impact on outcomes. Early involvement increases the likelihood that procurement and supply will be able to negotiate better deals for the organisation, optimise cost savings and mitigate risks.
Increasingly, organisations appreciate the importance of involving procurement and supply at the early stage of a project. Over the past year, there has been an increase in the percentage of respondents saying procurement is involved at the start of a project in every region other than MENA.
Globally, 68% of respondents say procurement and supply is involved at the start of a project, up from 64% in 2024. It is important that procurement and supply professionals encourage this trend by proactively collaborating with other teams within the organisation and elevating their visibility at C-suite level.
A force for social good
By adopting ethical practices, procurement and supply has immense capacity to act as a force for social good. More than four-fifths of respondents globally (81%) believe that procurement and supply can enable positive social change through its ability to influence equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) as well as environmental, social and governance issues. Respondents in Africa and MENA are most likely to hold this view.
An important way in which procurement and supply can be a force for social good is by combating social inequality. Over half (54%) of respondents globally believe the profession offers a career path to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Future status
Respondents are confident that the status of the procurement and supply profession will only increase further in future. Overall, 60% believe that in the next 10 years, procurement and supply will enjoy a similar status to the accountancy profession. The role of procurement and supply is also likely to evolve given 83% expect to see considerable changes to the way organisations work.
Find out how CIPS can help you evolve your procurement function to drive organisational success here.