Last week, OneAdvanced’s Damien Durston and Adam Bowles were joined on stage by a fantastic group of panelists at our live event, Finding Procurement Talent, in partnership with CIPS.
The event provided an engaging and thought-provoking look at one of the most significant challenges facing the procurement profession today: finding, developing, and retaining top talent.
Throughout the session, it was clear that attracting talent is only half the battle. As Bruce Pain, Director of Procurement at the University of Queensland, put it, “If you work in an interesting organisation, attracting talent is easy. But development is the hardest part.” Bruce emphasised that procurement professionals often don’t receive the same level of development opportunities as their counterparts in other fields like sales. He explained that while salespeople often undergo continuous training, procurement teams lack that same focus on growth. “Procurement people need to be incredibly talented,” he said, urging organisations to invest in their team's development to unlock their full potential.
Hayley Wilson, Principal Consultant at Troocoo, echoed this sentiment by pointing out a common gap in recruitment: many companies fail to clearly communicate their employee value propositions. “When organisations are looking to attract new employees, they’re not really going out to market with what they have to offer.”
Hayley stressed that different generations of workers have varying expectations.
Some prioritise flexible working arrangements, while others focus more on growth opportunities and values alignment. This makes it even more important for hiring managers to not only address these needs during the interview process but also ensure they follow through once the employee is on board, keeping them engaged through regular performance reviews and development plans.
A key focus of the discussion was the importance of soft skills, which are often overlooked in the hiring process. As Hayley explained, while technical expertise is essential, procurement professionals often struggle with crucial soft skills like negotiation and stakeholder management. “Some candidates may be very process-driven, which is great, but they also need development in those soft skills.” Bruce added that being able to understand the business context, build relationships with internal stakeholders, and have a strategic approach is vital. “You can teach people to negotiate, but they need the commercial acumen to do it effectively.”
As the conversation shifted to career growth, Bruce shared that networking has become one of the most powerful tools for procurement professionals looking to advance. “People hire people they know and want to work with.” Networking, whether within your organisation or across the industry, shows that you're eager to learn and stay ahead. Hayley added that professionals should also take ownership of their own learning, stressing, “Procurement is a very transferable skill, but if you’re looking to make a big industry change, go out and do the learning and training to show you’re interested in the next step.”
Damien Durston, Head of Sales at OneAdvanced also shared his thoughts on career development, highlighting that professionals need to be accountable for their own growth. “It’s about being connected and responsible for your own learning. “Yes, we all have our busy work lives, but being curious and accountable are key ingredients for success.”
Of course, no conversation about the future of procurement is complete without addressing the role of technology, particularly AI and automation. Damien spoke about the rapid pace at which AI is transforming procurement. “What we thought would be a 3-4 year transformation is likely happening a lot quicker.” It’s already reshaping the industry, and it’s essential for procurement professionals to stay ahead of the curve. Hayley added that while AI will certainly streamline processes, procurement professionals must embrace the change, learn from it, and use it to focus on more strategic tasks. “Don’t be the person who doesn’t want to adapt,” she advised.
Bruce wrapped up the discussion by quoting Alvin Toffler: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” This powerful quote serves as a reminder that adaptability is key in a world where technology is rapidly evolving. For procurement professionals, this means continuously learning new tools and skills, particularly in AI, while also retaining the core human skills that will always be essential.
As the event concluded, it was clear that the procurement profession is facing unprecedented challenges, but also exciting opportunities. The key to success lies in developing talent, embracing technology, and maintaining a culture of continuous learning.
At OneAdvanced, we believe that investing in performance and talent management solutions can help organisations build a high-performing procurement team. By providing employees with clear career progression plans, real-time feedback, and opportunities for growth, businesses can foster a culture of improvement that drives long-term success.
Find out more here: People Management Software | OneAdvanced or get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you develop your procurement talent and stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly changing industry.