The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
From Lead Sourcing Analyst / Category Manager
5-8 years to progress to DirectorSkills to master
- Moving from owning a category to overseeing multiple categories and teams. This means developing strong people leadership skills, strategic planning across a broader portfolio, and executive-level stakeholder management. You'll need to demonstrate the ability to influence beyond your direct reports.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a complex, high-value spend category (£50M+) with demonstrable impact on P&L.
- Consistently mentored and developed junior team members, with evidence of their progression.
- Led significant cross-functional projects that required influencing senior stakeholders outside of procurement.
- Developed and presented multi-year category strategies that were adopted by the business.
- 2
From Sourcing Manager / Principal Category Manager
3-5 years to progress to DirectorSkills to master
- This path focuses on scaling your leadership impact. You'll need to demonstrate the ability to manage managers, set functional goals for a larger team, and take on broader P&L accountability. Developing a strong strategic vision for an entire business unit, not just a category, is crucial.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed a team of 3+ Sourcing Analysts/Category Managers, with strong performance reviews for your direct reports.
- Accountable for a significant portion of company spend (£100M+) with clear value delivery.
- Successfully navigated complex organisational politics to drive procurement initiatives.
- Consistently delivered against functional goals and contributed to overall procurement strategy.
- 3
From Consulting (Procurement / Supply Chain Focus)
Roughly 10-15 years in consulting, including senior manager/principal rolesSkills to master
- Consultants bring strong analytical and strategic frameworks. To succeed as a Director, you'll need to translate that advisory experience into direct operational leadership, P&L accountability, and team development within a corporate setting. Building deep internal relationships and navigating corporate culture is key.
You're ready to move on when
- Led multiple large-scale procurement transformation projects for diverse clients.
- Demonstrated ability to drive tangible, measurable results and implement strategic recommendations.
- Strong client relationship management skills, transferable to internal stakeholder management.
- Experience in managing project teams and developing junior consultants.