Demand for procurement professionals rising quickly, says CIPS

Skilled procurement professionals are becoming increasingly sought-after, according to the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

CIPS recently revealed that the average annual salary for procurement workers has risen to £41,000, despite the recent end of the recession and the cautious financial climate.

Group CEO of CIPS, David Noble, has said: "Our salaries have grown above average. The demand for good procurement people is increasing dramatically." The average salary growth for UK workers over the last 12 months was 1.7%. A recent CIPS survey found that the average salary growth was a much larger 2.5% for workers in the procurement sector.

The survey also discovered that 73% of employers found it difficult to find procurement staff over the same 12-month period. Most employers said the applications they did receive were generally not qualified enough or did not have enough sector-specific skills.

Buyers are the most sought-after

CIPS says buyers are currently the most in-demand of all procurement workers. The average salary for buyers has risen by 3.1% over the last 12 months, to £27,400.

Industry analysts believe the buyer shortage is down to a lack of graduates entering procurement work – a theory which is supported by the fact that most companies ceased graduate training schemes during the recession.

Find skilled buyers and procurement staff

The rising demand for procurement staff means that suitable candidates will become more difficult to find. At Portfolio we specialise in finding procurement talent across the UK. Our specialist consultants will help you hire a professional with the skills and experience necessary to carry out their role effectively.

We can help you find ambitious buyers who suit the culture of your business. On the other hand, if you are looking to fill a senior or managerial role, we will find successful individuals for you to interview.

Call us on 020 7650 3191 for more information.