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Surge in Procurement Job Opportunities Signals Rising Global Prominence

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by Navami Reghunath , Assistant Manager, Content
21 March 2023

Data Collection and Compilation by Mirza Zack

procurement jobs trend

The Procurement function has witnessed remarkable shifts in job opportunities across different regions from 2021 to the beginning of 2023, as the supply chain disruptions over the past three years have led to an increased focus on the function among companies worldwide, elevating its prominence in the global business landscape.   

The rapid growth in procurement job opportunities across regions can be attributed to several factors, including:

Global economic recovery: As businesses rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased demand for skilled procurement professionals to optimize supply chain operations and manage sourcing activities.

Evolving business needs: The rise of e-commerce, shifts in consumer preferences, and the need for sustainable supply chain practices have driven companies to re-evaluate their procurement strategies, leading to higher demand for skilled professionals.

Digital transformation: Advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, contract lifecycle management, and data analytics, have transformed the procurement landscape. Companies are seeking individuals with expertise in these areas to remain competitive and adapt to the changing market dynamics.

Beroe LiVE Survey

Beroe conducted a survey within the Beroe LiVE community to determine whether procurement professionals are truly witnessing a rise in job opportunities and demand for tech-savvy skillsets.

The global survey garnered responses from 357 participants across 262 companies, and the findings corroborate that the procurement job market is, in fact, experiencing significant growth.

The majority of survey respondents are from Europe and North America, with 70% of the total participants hailing from these two regions. The remaining respondents are distributed across Asia, Latin America, Australia & New Zealand, and Africa.

Increasing Job Opportunities in Procurement

Over the past three years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Procurement/Sourcing/Purchasing job openings, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A majority of respondents, 58%, either fully agree (20%) or agree (38%) with this observation, indicating a clear trend in the job market. A significant portion of the respondents, 33%, remain neutral on the matter, possibly due to a lack of direct exposure to this specific job market or uncertainty regarding the impact of the pandemic on job opportunities.

However, only a small fraction of respondents, 9%, disagree with the statement, and none of them fully disagree. This data suggests that there is a general consensus that the Procurement/Sourcing/Purchasing job market has indeed expanded in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic potentially serving as a catalyst for this growth.

Increasing Job Opportunities in Procurement

Here are the selected comments from respondents. We are not revealing their names as they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the company.

“Certainly the awareness and status of Procurement/Sourcing/Purchasing has risen within organizations. I am unsure however that the increase in job postings is due to additional hires or simply replacements for professionals who have left the job market and/or filled openings at other companies during the great resignation. In addition, technology and automation improvements within the discipline has in some instances suppressed the need to hire”.

-- Procurement Director based in North America

“More evident that Procurement is needed, crucial and strategic”.

-- Procurement Director based in Europe

Job Offers Galore

In the past year or so, many individuals have been approached by other companies for job openings. A substantial portion of respondents, 75%, either fully agree (36%) or agree (39%) with this statement, which indicates a high level of activity in the job market. On the other hand, a smaller percentage of respondents, 10%, remain neutral, perhaps due to uncertainty or a lack of direct experience with job offers.

A minority of respondents, 15%, either disagree (12%) or fully disagree (3%) with the statement. This may suggest that some people have not experienced an increase in job offers or have been less affected by the current job market dynamics.

Overall, the data implies that a significant number of individuals have indeed been approached by companies for job openings in recent times, reflecting an active and potentially competitive job market.

Job Offers Galore

Here are the selected comments from respondents. We are not revealing their names as they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the company.

“Companies have reached out to me to present a job opportunity. In some cases I went to the final interview and in others I've declined due to scope, role, position or salary”.

-- Procurement Manager based in Latin America

“Yes, I have been approached regarding my interest in other opportunities in procurement and supply chain by companies, recruiters, and friends. I think that much of this is dependent on the needs of the organizations and the capabilities/experience of the potential candidate”.

-- Procurement Director based in North America

“Yes, but not "out of the blue." A former manager recruited me to follow him to his new employer”.

-- Procurement Manager based in North America

Opinion Divided Over Work Arrangements

Opinions on switching jobs due to changes in work-from-home policies or office attendance requirements appear to be quite diverse. A considerable percentage of respondents, 44%, either fully agree (24%) or agree (20%) that they would switch jobs if their employer required them to attend the office full-time instead of allowing them to work from home or attend the office only a few days a week. This reflects the growing preference for flexible work arrangements in today's workforce.

However, a nearly equal percentage of respondents, 33%, either disagree (22%) or fully disagree (11%) with the idea of changing jobs based on these factors. This group may value job stability or have other priorities that outweigh the benefits of flexible working conditions.

Additionally, 23% of respondents remain neutral on the matter, possibly indicating that they are undecided or that their decision would depend on various factors such as job satisfaction, career growth, and personal circumstances. In conclusion, the data highlights a range of perspectives on the importance of flexible work arrangements, with no clear majority leaning towards a single viewpoint.

Opinion Divided Over Work Arrangements

Here are the selected comments from respondents. We are not revealing their names as they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the company.

“Work arrangement/return to office policy is only one factor in consideration of a job search/change”.

-- Procurement Director based in North America

“Office presence is my absolute preference, not remoted job”.

-- Procurement Manager based in Asia

I have been working remote from my home in another state (1000 miles from HQ) since March of 2020. Having to work at the HQ offices full time would require leasing, commuting and being away from my family. My circumstances differ from those who are within a 60 minute trip to the office.

-- Procurement Director based in North America

“I am not a huge fan of home working and would rather be in the office with other staff”.

-- Procurement Director based in Europe

“My employer already issued a note stating work from home is no longer allowed”

-- Purchasing professional based in Europe

Individual Recruitment Specialists Shine

When it comes to distributing resumes and expressing interest to potential employers, respondents rely on a variety of methods. The most popular approach is through job postings on social networks, with 29% of respondents utilizing this method. This indicates the growing importance of social media platforms in the job search process.

Another significant method is contacting individual recruitment specialists, with 24% of respondents opting for this approach, highlighting the value of personalized assistance in connecting with potential employers. Job postings on company websites are also used by 13% of respondents, while 10% rely on recruitment agencies to support their job search efforts.

Less commonly used methods include private professional networks (7%), friends or colleagues (6%), and other methods (9.7%), which may consist of various alternative channels not listed in the survey. Networking during conferences is utilized by only 1% of respondents, while a minimal 0.3% rely on discussion groups for distributing their resumes.

Overall, the data suggests that job seekers employ a diverse range of methods to connect with potential employers, with social networks and individual recruitment specialists being the most popular approaches.

Individual Recruitment Specialists Shine

Here are the selected comments from respondents. We are not revealing their names as they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the company.

“I primarily job hunt the old fashioned way, responding to job postings. I also use friends/colleagues, job postings on social networks and recruitment agencies”.

-- Procurement Manager based in North America

“I am not distributing my resume and more approached by recruitment agencies”.

-- C-Level Executive based in Asia

LinkedIn the Most Preferred Platform

When it comes to the most effective websites for online job searches, a vast majority of respondents, 80%, believe that LinkedIn is the most effective platform. This highlights the significant role that LinkedIn plays in modern job searches, as it serves as a professional networking site and provides various job opportunities for job seekers.

Other platforms, such as Indeed, are considered effective by a smaller percentage of respondents, with 7% choosing this option. Career Builder and Glassdoor receive even less support, at 2% and 1% respectively, indicating that they may not be as popular or effective compared to LinkedIn.

An additional 10% of respondents believe that other websites are the most effective for online job searches. This category may include various niche job boards, specialized industry platforms, or other emerging websites that cater to specific job markets or fields.

The data demonstrates that LinkedIn is widely regarded as the most effective website for online job searches, significantly outpacing its competitors.

LinkedIn the Most Preferred Platform

Here are the selected comments from respondents. We are not revealing their names as they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the company.

"I find that LinkedIn has the most relevant jobs with associated details, but I do find that the process is not great and response from the companies posting those jobs is poor”.

-- Procurement Director based in North America

“Whether LinkedIn is the most effective is questionable, but it does appear to have a more wider range of opportunities”.

-- C-Level Executive based in Asia

“I would work through an employment agency”

-- Procurement Manager based in Asia

Top Technology Skills in Demand

Companies list a variety of top technology skills when advertising job openings. Among the multiple selections allowed, data analysis and contract management are the most frequently mentioned skills, with 23% and 24% of respondents selecting them, respectively. These skills are essential in many industries, particularly as organizations increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making and effective contract management to optimize their operations.

Risk management is another significant skill, chosen by 19% of respondents, reflecting the growing importance of managing and mitigating risks in today's rapidly evolving business environment. E-procurement is also a notable skill, with 17% of respondents selecting it as a top requirement for job openings.

On the other hand, artificial intelligence and automation (5%), cybersecurity (3%), and cloud computing (2%) are less frequently mentioned as top skills, possibly due to their specialized nature or the fact that they are more relevant to specific industries or job roles.

Additionally, 7% of respondents believe that all of the mentioned technology skills are essential for job openings, indicating that companies are increasingly looking for candidates with a diverse range of competencies.

In summary, the data highlights the variety of top technology skills companies seek, with data analysis, contract management, risk management, and e-procurement being the most commonly listed skills for job openings.

Top Technology Skills in Demand

Here are the selected comments from respondents. We are not revealing their names as they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the company.

“Supplier management, spend management, developing people”.

-- C-Level Executive based in Europe

“Agile procurement”

-- Procurement Director based in Asia

“Project Procurement and Subcontract, SAP, P2P”

-- Procurement Manager based in Asia

“Everything these days is about data science and related work with a large focus on how work can be outsourced to AI/Automation”.

-- Procurement Manager based in North America

“Regrettably, companies routinely ask for experience using whatever ERP they have. It's regrettable because it's utterly irrelevant”.

-- Procurement professional based in North America

Conclusion

The surge in procurement job opportunities across different regions reflects the evolving market dynamics and the growing importance of procurement in today's global economy. As businesses continue to adapt and recover, the procurement function presents substantial career opportunities for professionals with the right skills and experience.

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