Procurement Leaders Say AI and Digital Fluency Will Be Most Needed Skill in 2030
But most say their teams are not ready, and over half lack a structured, future-focused training plan.
New research from Procurious reveals a critical skills gap in procurement teams that could hinder their ability to cut costs, boost productivity and manage supply disruptions. Nearly all procurement leaders polled (over 90%) claim training shortfalls are already impacting their performance, with a primary issue being a lack of investment in training and development. Only 60% possess a formal procurement capability or skills framework, while 60% feel their current training budget is inadequate.
The report warns that future procurement professionals must develop more than just technical skills. AI and digital fluency are deemed crucial, but stakeholder engagement and influence (42%) and commercial acumen (39%) are also identified as the top priorities for 2030. The capability gaps are already taking a toll, with respondents forecasting a negative impact on cost savings, productivity and compliance if the skills gaps remain unaddressed over the next 12 to 24 months.
The survey of 67 procurement professionals, predominantly from the Asia-Pacific region, found that the majority were CPOs, heads of procurement or supply chain. The remaining respondents held managerial or specialist roles in procurement or supply chain.
Written by urgent.news from Supply Chain Brain's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
