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
VP, Global Sourcing / Category Management
5-7 years at VP levelSkills to master
- Deep expertise in strategic sourcing across multiple direct and indirect categories, advanced negotiation, global supplier relationship management, and driving significant cost reduction initiatives.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivered multi-million pound savings across a diverse portfolio of categories.
- Successfully led complex, multi-year sourcing agreements with global strategic suppliers.
- Built and led high-performing global category management teams.
- Demonstrated strong influencing skills with C-suite stakeholders on sourcing strategy.
- 2
VP, Procurement Systems & Digital Transformation
5-7 years at VP levelSkills to master
- Deep expertise in procurement technology (P2P, CLM, Sourcing suites), enterprise architecture, digital transformation methodologies, and leading large-scale system implementations.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully implemented and optimised major procurement technology platforms (e.g., Ariba, Coupa) across a global organisation.
- Demonstrated ability to drive significant operational efficiencies through automation and digital tools.
- Strong understanding of data analytics and its application to procurement insights.
- Proven ability to manage complex technology vendor relationships and budgets.
- 3
Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) at a smaller/mid-sized company
3-5 years at VP levelSkills to master
- End-to-end accountability for all procurement functions, building a procurement organisation from the ground up (or significantly scaling it), and direct P&L responsibility for procurement's contribution.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrated ability to operate with full autonomy and accountability for a significant function.
- Proven track record of building and leading a complete procurement strategy, not just a segment.
- Strong financial acumen and ability to articulate procurement's value directly to a CEO/Board.
- Comfortable with a broader scope of responsibility and less established infrastructure.