The following response from a procurement industry veteran suggests that it is more FUD or FOMO than accurate.
So, what does research suggest? Will 80% of all procurement roles be gone by 2035?
Predicting the exact percentage of procurement roles that may be automated or eliminated by 2035 is challenging, as estimates vary and depend on multiple factors, including technological advancements, organizational strategies, and economic conditions. While some experts suggest that up to 40% of jobs globally could be automated by 2035 axios.com, others project a more modest impact on procurement-specific roles.
For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 6% decline in procurement-related jobs by 2031 procurious.com.
Similarly, discussions within the procurement community reference a projected 4% decline in the field through 2030 reddit.com.
It’s important to note that while automation and artificial intelligence are expected to transform procurement functions, they may not necessarily lead to widespread job losses. Instead, these technologies could redefine roles, emphasizing strategic decision-making and relationship management over routine tasks. Therefore, the assertion that 80% of all procurement roles will be gone by 2035 appears to be an overestimation based on current data and projections.
Scottish Water £9bn procurement process could create 4,000 jobs – thetimes.co.uk
What do my 40-plus years of high-tech and procurement experience indicate?
1999 to 2024 – Will the procurement workforce expand or contract in 2024?
Discussion Excerpt: In my Aug. 2007 article on the CPO Agenda Roundtable Meeting, I reported the following – https://bit.ly/3LrUlkT – “As a result, there is going to be a continuing need for what was referred to as “low-level” buyers. However, the same individual concluded that “one strategic business thinker with the right skills and capabilities is worth 10 or 12 of your normal, run-of-the-mill purchasing people.”
2007 – Dangerous Supply Chain Myths Revisited (Part 7): Enabling Technology – The Emergence of the Metaprise
Discussion Excerpt: “In August 2003, the new technology successfully went live in a production environment for the DND. In this test case, the public sector organization realized a year-over-year 23% cost of goods savings for seven consecutive years while simultaneously reducing the number of buyers required to manage the contract to 3 from an original 23. Delivery performance and product quality also improved dramatically.”
What Is Another Big Factor That “The 80% Absolute Statement” Overlooks?
ProcureTech Investments:
- Market Growth: The procurement software market was valued at $8.65 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $16.38 billion by 2029, reflecting a CAGR of 13.6%. thebusinessresearchcompany.com
- Adoption Rates: A significant majority (83%) of Chief Procurement Officers have prioritized digitizing their procurement processes, underscoring the growing emphasis on ProcureTech solutions. procurementtactics.com
Then, consider the ratio of success versus failure.
Digital Transformation Initiatives:
- High Failure Rates: Research indicates that approximately 70% of digital transformation efforts do not achieve their intended goals. mckinsey.com
- Significant Financial Losses: Globally, failed digital transformation programs have resulted in an estimated $2.3 trillion in wasted investments. newsroom.taylorandfrancisgroup.com
ProcureTech Implementations:
- Elevated Failure Rates: Reports suggest that the failure rate for procurement technology implementations can exceed 80%. sourcinginnovation.com
TODAY’S TAKEAWAY – Sensationalized headlines without proper research and context are very dangerous – even if there is a modicum of accuracy and truth.
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Procurement Insights
Are absolute statements like this reckless or responsible?
Posted on February 23, 2025
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The following response from a procurement industry veteran suggests that it is more FUD or FOMO than accurate.
So, what does research suggest? Will 80% of all procurement roles be gone by 2035?
Predicting the exact percentage of procurement roles that may be automated or eliminated by 2035 is challenging, as estimates vary and depend on multiple factors, including technological advancements, organizational strategies, and economic conditions. While some experts suggest that up to 40% of jobs globally could be automated by 2035 axios.com, others project a more modest impact on procurement-specific roles.
For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 6% decline in procurement-related jobs by 2031 procurious.com.
Similarly, discussions within the procurement community reference a projected 4% decline in the field through 2030 reddit.com.
It’s important to note that while automation and artificial intelligence are expected to transform procurement functions, they may not necessarily lead to widespread job losses. Instead, these technologies could redefine roles, emphasizing strategic decision-making and relationship management over routine tasks. Therefore, the assertion that 80% of all procurement roles will be gone by 2035 appears to be an overestimation based on current data and projections.
Scottish Water £9bn procurement process could create 4,000 jobs – thetimes.co.uk
What do my 40-plus years of high-tech and procurement experience indicate?
1999 to 2024 – Will the procurement workforce expand or contract in 2024?
Discussion Excerpt: In my Aug. 2007 article on the CPO Agenda Roundtable Meeting, I reported the following – https://bit.ly/3LrUlkT – “As a result, there is going to be a continuing need for what was referred to as “low-level” buyers. However, the same individual concluded that “one strategic business thinker with the right skills and capabilities is worth 10 or 12 of your normal, run-of-the-mill purchasing people.”
2007 – Dangerous Supply Chain Myths Revisited (Part 7): Enabling Technology – The Emergence of the Metaprise
Discussion Excerpt: “In August 2003, the new technology successfully went live in a production environment for the DND. In this test case, the public sector organization realized a year-over-year 23% cost of goods savings for seven consecutive years while simultaneously reducing the number of buyers required to manage the contract to 3 from an original 23. Delivery performance and product quality also improved dramatically.”
What Is Another Big Factor That “The 80% Absolute Statement” Overlooks?
ProcureTech Investments:
Then, consider the ratio of success versus failure.
Digital Transformation Initiatives:
ProcureTech Implementations:
TODAY’S TAKEAWAY – Sensationalized headlines without proper research and context are very dangerous – even if there is a modicum of accuracy and truth.
30
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