By GROUP CPO One of the most common questions I’m being asked by procurement leaders and candidates is: “What is happening in the procurement recruitment market?” Looking at activity across May, the answer is that the market is still moving, but hiring behaviour has changed. It is not the candidate short market we experienced over the last few years. Organisations are being more deliberate, approvals are taking longer, and expectations around capability continue to increase.

By GROUP CPO The current market continues to be defined by a mix of caution, transformation and strategic investment. While many organisations remain disciplined around cost and capital allocation, we are also seeing companies make significant moves to reposition themselves for future growth. AI continues to dominate investment conversations globally. Anthropic recently completed a significant funding round and is preparing for a potential IPO, while OpenAI and SpaceX continu

By GROUP CPO The expectations placed on procurement leaders have changed significantly. Today’s CPOs and Heads of Procurement are no longer only expected to be experts in sourcing, contracts and cost management. They are being asked to operate as enterprise leaders; influencing strategy, managing risk, understanding technology, building supplier ecosystems and creating measurable business value. As procurement’s role continues to evolve, continuous learning has become one of

By GROUP CPO For many years, procurement leaders were primarily recognised for their ability to manage suppliers, negotiate contracts and deliver savings. Those capabilities will always remain important. But the expectations placed on Chief Procurement Officers are changing. The next generation of CPOs will not only be measured by how effectively they control cost, but by how they help organisations innovate, adapt and create competitive advantage. Today’s leading procurement

By GROUP CPO High-performing CPOs, Heads of Procurement, and digitally fluent category leaders are not passively “open to roles.” They are being actively courted, and increasingly, they are choosing to move. This is not about compensation alone. It is about mandate, maturity, and meaning. Why Top Procurement Performers Are Leaving 1. Procurement Is Still Undervalued Many organisations continue to position procurement as a cost control function rather than a strategic lever. T

By GROUP CPO From our vantage point as a search firm dedicated to procurement executives, one trend is clear: long term experience alone is not a differentiator. The market is crowded with ambitious, digitally fluent, highly visible emerging leaders. Companies are not hiring tenure the way they used to, they are hiring relevance, clarity of value, and enterprise impact. For senior procurement leaders, differentiation has to be deliberate. Define Your Strategic Edge At CPO and

By GROUP CPO Drawing on market intelligence, alongside active mandates across ANZ and global markets, the skill categories for procurement leadership is shifting. The function is being evaluated less on savings (which is a given) and more on enterprise value creation, risk governance, digital fluency, and commercial influence. Below are the hot skill categories currently getting attention in the procurement area: 1. AI & Digital Procurement Capability More companies are fundi

By GROUP CPO We spoke to a number of CPO’s here in Australia, and here is what we learnt about what lies ahead: 1. The rise of the ‘adaptive operating model’ Static, centralised or decentralised models no longer the only options. 2026 will see: More fluid team structures Flexible pods “borrowed” by major initiatives Cross-functional commercial squads Embedded procurement leads in business units Procurement operating models will become modular, agile and dynamic, reflecting

What Procurement in 2025 Taught Us By Group CPO Across Australia, CPOs entered 2025 with cautious optimism, navigating inflation cooldowns, geopolitical uncertainty, workforce reshuffles and accelerated digitisation. What emerged was a profession under pressure, but also on the edge of unprecedented opportunity. As one CPO in financial services put it: “Procurement’s seat at the table is no longer the goal. Influence at the table is.” This year’s review reflects that shift:

Executive Presence: The Hidden Differentiator in Procurement Leadership By GROUP CPO December 2025 “Experience might get you the interview, but executive presence is what will get you the role.” anon Procurement leaders know what it means to deliver results managing complexity, mitigating risk, and driving value. But once you’re in the room where decisions are made, technical mastery alone won’t set you apart. The leaders who rise are the ones who project confidence, credibil

What Procurement Leaders Can Learn From Porsche’s High Performance Supply Chain By GROUP CPO December 2025 In an era defined by supply volatility, electrification pressures and rising sustainability expectations, Porsche stands out as a manufacturer that continues to deliver resilience, agility and innovation. Much of that success can be traced to a procurement function that is strategically positioned, deeply integrated, and relentlessly future focused. As procurement leader

CPO PULSE August 2025 The Importance of Cultural Fit in Executive Hiring: A Focus on Procurement Executives In the competitive world of executive hiring, the selection of top-tier talent for leadership positions is more than just about skills and experience. As companies increasingly look to procure leaders who can steer their teams and functions toward long-term success, cultural fit has become one of the most critical elements in the hiring process, particularly for procur

CPO Pulse August 2025 The Future of Procurement is Intelligent: How Technology is Shaping the Procurement Landscape As we look toward the future of procurement, one thing is certain: it is poised for a transformation driven by intelligence, intelligent technologies, data, and decision making. The rapid pace of technological advancements is reshaping how procurement leaders operate and how organisations manage their supply chains. In this article, we will explore how intellig

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