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Procurement in 2025: Key Trends Shaping the Future
Written by Nicola Reid | Blog | Posted 02/05/2025 09:15:24
Procurement has seen a significant shift in recent years, and in 2025, it’s firmly positioned as a strategic driver within organisations. No longer limited to cost control and compliance, procurement now plays a central role in driving innovation, building sustainable practices, and strengthening supply chain resilience.
At Sanderson, we’re in daily contact with procurement professionals and hiring teams across industries. This gives us a real-time view into what’s changing—and the practical ways organisations are responding. Here are the five shifts shaping the function this year.
1. Smarter, Data-Led Decision Making with AI:
Artificial Intelligence is now a core part of modern procurement. From demand forecasting to real-time monitoring of supplier performance, AI is helping teams make faster and more informed decisions. Procurement professionals are increasingly moving away from firefighting and focusing instead on proactive planning and long-term strategy. Many are using predictive insights to renegotiate contracts based on up-to-the-minute market data or to identify risks in their supply chain weeks before they cause disruption. The value lies in freeing up time, improving accuracy, and allowing teams to focus on relationships and growth.
2. Blockchain for Transparency and Trust:
Transparency is now expected, and blockchain is helping procurement teams deliver it. By offering a secure and traceable way to document every stage in a product’s journey, blockchain is enabling more reliable sourcing, better accountability, and reduced risk of fraud. While it’s already well established in sectors like pharmaceuticals and food, more industries are beginning to adopt it as a way to demonstrate ethical practices and traceability. The added benefit is trust—both with suppliers and with end customers—built through visibility and accountability.
3. Sustainable and Responsible Sourcing:
Sustainability has moved to the centre of procurement strategy. Companies are under growing pressure from consumers, investors, and regulators to ensure their supply chains reflect responsible sourcing, fair labour, and a reduced environmental footprint. This shift is influencing who procurement teams choose to work with, how contracts are structured, and how performance is measured. It’s no longer about short-term savings—it’s about long-term value and protecting brand reputation in a world where social and environmental responsibility carries real business weight.
4. Deeper Supplier Collaboration:
In 2025, we’re seeing stronger partnerships between organisations and their suppliers. These relationships are focused on collaboration, co-creation, and shared innovation. Whether it’s a manufacturer working closely with a supplier to improve product design or a tech firm teaming up with vendors to roll out new platforms, these partnerships are creating value that goes beyond cost savings. They’re making supply chains more agile, more resilient, and better equipped to respond to shifting demands.
5. Risk Management as a Core Focus:
Global uncertainty has made risk management one of the most important responsibilities in procurement. Teams are no longer reacting to crises—they’re planning for them. This includes using digital tools to identify risks early, diversifying supplier networks, and putting contingency plans in place. Whether the threat comes from geopolitics, extreme weather, or cyber attacks, procurement is now leading the charge in building business continuity and resilience. It’s a responsibility that requires sharp thinking, clear data, and a forward-looking mindset.
Procurement has become a vital strategic partner, helping businesses navigate uncertainty, deliver on ESG promises, and unlock new sources of value. At Sanderson, we’re proud to support this transformation by connecting organisations with the talent they need to lead with confidence. The pace of change isn’t slowing down, but with the right people in place, procurement teams are well equipped to shape what comes next.
Written by: Nicola Reid
If you have any questions about the future of procurement, or if you're looking for talent to strengthen your supply chain, please reach out to our Supply Chain & Procurement Director, Nicola Reid. She’d be happy to assist you.