Procurement and supply skills of the future

Technology is transforming the world around us at an ever-increasing pace. Our personal lives have been made so much easier through the growing use of mobile devices and thanks to the internet, constant connectivity. In the business world, we are seeing similar trends. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are two pieces of technology that are set to completely transform the way we work by 2030 and redefine how a number of industries operate. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here and this means that big changes to business structures and the demand for new skill sets, aren’t as far off as some might think.

The procurement and supply chain function is one that will need to evolve significantly, particularly as AI and automation are implemented into more processes over the next decade. And while it is somewhat unclear exactly how the function will change, looking back at past revolutions it is clear that we need to prepare now. Not only will we see a shift in the types of roles available, but we will also see changes in the skills needed and as a result, the way we assess a candidate’s CV. 

Redefining skills

  • Automotive purchasing - hybrid powertrains
  • New product introduction (NPI) 
  • Supply and demand planning
  • Extended category management
  • Talent development
We are seeing changes in the way vehicles are engineered, innovative products are being developed constantly as technology evolves, the demand for the newest and most exciting piece of tech is growing rapidly, and as a result, investment into the training and development of employees, are key areas of focus for our clients.
Looking forward, we should expect technology to transform a lot more of the procurement process. It could be expected that we will see more procurement processes governed by AI and automated processes, all connected via the Internet of Things.

The evolving CV

In 2000, it was standard for a CV to include what would now be seen as very top line and simple skills, listed alongside work experience that wasn’t necessarily relevant to the role at hand. Today, a university degree that proves competency in the field and experience in the industry is the standard.
In 2030, to meet the demands of the automated world we are anticipating, the CVs that you might expect to see will be in the form of a centralised online profile. Here, you will be able to access a wide range of personal metrics for each candidate applying for a role which will enable business leaders to make completely unbiased hiring decisions based on a set of metrics that form an impartial assessment of how suitable a candidate is for a role.
Although the development of robotics and AI may very well mean that we see a large number of transactional and thinking roles automated – these futuristic workplaces will still need to be managed by people. So, it is quite likely that we might see an entry-level candidate with work experience as a logistical data analyst or an algorithm technician. In addition to this, it will be commonplace for a candidate to also have their own entrepreneurial venture on the side.
AI and automation aren’t the only technological changes that have the potential to impact future candidates’ skills and capabilities. Bio-hacking, the merging of human and machine, will see the rise of human enhancements that will allow people to better manage more complex AI and automated processes and such enhancements will also be included on a CV.
To keep up with the changing demand for skills in different specialist areas, regular upskilling and retraining will take place, as employees require new skills to perform new tasks or use new technology. This might mean we see the rise of Nano degrees – short-term formal training designed to quickly equip people with the right information and capabilities as and when required, right throughout a professional’s career. Explore the CV of the future further.

The future of procurement and supply

The above changes are based on some of the predictions that our research with trends forecasters Foresight Factory found when exploring the impacts of emerging technology on the future workforce. The fact is, the impact of AI and automation, and what the flow on effects to jobs and skills will be, are relatively unknown.  Therefore, Michael Page and Procurious want to know where you believe procurement and supply management will be by the year 2030, and what professionals need to do today to make themselves indispensable in the future.  
Click here to take the survey – We will send you a copy of the reports summarising the findings and you’ll also go into the draw to win a retro, table-style arcade machine!
If you would like to find out more or to discuss how we can help with your recruitment processes, contact your local Michael Page office. Alternatively,  submit a job spec and one of our specialist consultants will be in touch.