4 Skills Procurement Professionals Don’t Know They Need

It’s no secret that procurement professionals are essentially the backbone of any organisation. We source goods and services with great skill and attention to detail, we negotiate exceptionally well, we never go over budget (or, almost never!) and we maintain the highest possible quality standards. But is that it? It certainly is not. 

Year upon year, we seem to be called upon to be more and do more. Now, we’re expected to be strategic, but we’re also expected to  maintain best-practice supplier relationships, be ever more sustainable, and embrace digital transformations … to just name a few. And of course, with these expanding responsibilities, comes an ever-expanding need for new skills. 

It’s a given that procurement professionals need a range of soft skills, but there’s also a whole host of other, less discussed skills that procurement professionals also need. Here are four skills that you likely didn’t know you needed … but are more critical to success than ever before.  

 1. Creativity: Finding solutions beyond conventional approaches 

When people think of creativity, procurement may not be the first function that comes to mind. But creativity is becoming essential in procurement, particularly as businesses face increasingly complex challenges. Traditional procurement approaches may not always work in dynamic markets where supply chains are susceptible to disruption, and where the focus is shifting to sustainability and innovation.

So, what does creativity in procurement look like? 

Creativity in procurement allows us to think beyond conventional cost-saving measures and traditional supplier relationships. Being creative about solutions may include developing new strategies for sourcing and partnerships, such as collaborating with non-traditional suppliers, small businesses, or even local communities to bring diversity and innovation into the supply chain.

Creativity also plays a role in negotiating contracts. Instead of focusing solely on price, think outside the box when proposing your terms:  for example, could you consider joint ventures or any other value-based arrangements? 

Creativity can also help procurement professionals when it comes to leveraging technology and digital tools. With the advent of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and automation, you’ll need to think creatively about your processes and how you can work with technology to make procurement more efficient, transparent and sustainable.

2. Curiosity: A constant quest for knowledge and solutions 

Curiosity is another vital, underrated skill. The world is changing rapidly—new technologies emerge every day, markets evolve, and consumer expectations shift. And curiosity is the key to evolving alongside these changes: curiosity drives us to stay ahead of the curve by asking questions, seeking knowledge, and understanding new trends that can impact their role.

A curious procurement professional is one who is constantly learning. If you’re curious, it means you’re eager to understand new ideas and methodologies, whether it’s understanding the latest developments in sustainable procurement or exploring new technologies that can optimise supply chain management. This openness to continuous learning positions is what differentiates those of us who stagnate in our careers and those who become forward-thinking leaders in our organisations.

Curiosity also fuels innovation. By asking “why” and “how,” we can challenge the status quo and uncover opportunities for improvement. This might involve questioning why a certain supplier is used and whether better alternatives exist, or it could involve asking how technology could streamline an outdated process. Being curious in this way helps us to stay relevant and continuously adds value to our organisations. 

3. Storytelling:  Persuading stakeholders and building relationships

Storytelling may seem like an unusual skill for the average procurement professional, but it’s invaluable in today’s business environment. As procurement transitions from being transactional to a more strategic function, we will all be increasingly tasked with influencing and persuading a broad range of stakeholders, from internal teams to suppliers and beyond. 

Storytelling is key to communicating the value of procurement initiatives. For example, when implementing a new sourcing strategy or advocating for sustainable procurement practices, it’s not enough to present numbers and data. As a procurement professional, you must be able to tell a compelling story that illustrates how your approach will benefit the company, whether that be through cost savings, enhanced reputation, or long-term competitive advantage.

Moreover, storytelling helps build strong relationships with suppliers and vendors. By sharing your team and organisation’s vision – and how suppliers play a role in achieving it – you can foster partnerships based on trust, mutual benefit, and shared goals.

Even within your organisation, storytelling can help you better align with other departments. By explaining your impact through engaging narratives—whether it’s the story of how an innovative solution was sourced or how a procurement decision helped avoid a significant risk— you can showcase your strategic importance and secure buy-in from other parts of the business.

4. Transformation: Leading change in a digital and sustainable era

Perhaps the most critical skill procurement professionals don’t know they need is the ability to lead transformation. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would have noticed that the business environment is fast evolving, driven primarily by digital transformation and the increasing demand for sustainability. Procurement plays a crucial role in both of these areas, and professionals who can lead change will be indispensable. 

Digital transformation is reshaping procurement by automating routine tasks, introducing advanced analytics, and enabling data-driven decision-making. As a procurement professional, you need to be able to guide your team and organisations through this transformation, ensuring that new technologies are implemented effectively and that they add real value. This requires not only technical knowledge, but also strong leadership and change management skills.

At the same time, sustainability is becoming a key priority for businesses across almost all industries. Of course, procurement is central to these efforts, as it influences the entire supply chain. And leading transformation in this area requires you, as the procurement professional, to understand and implement sustainable sourcing practices, manage supplier relationships responsibly, and ensure that sustainability is embedded in all procurement decisions.

Being a leader of transformation also means embracing agility. The supply chain is more volatile than ever before, and procurement professionals need to adapt quickly to changes in the market, from fluctuating prices to supply shortages. This requires a mindset focused on continuous transformation, where flexibility and resilience are key. 

Would you consider yourself to have the above four skills? If not, what do you think the best way is to acquire them? Let us know in the comments below.

Would you consider yourself to have the above four skills? If not, what do you think the best way is to acquire them? Let us know in the comments below.