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 Director of Procurement (Large Enterprise)
5-10 years at VP/Director level prior to C-suiteSkills to master
- Mastering global category management, P&L ownership for a significant business unit, building and leading multi-regional teams, and driving large-scale cost transformation programmes.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a procurement budget exceeding £500M.
- Led a global team of 50+ procurement professionals.
- Consistently delivered significant cost savings and value creation.
- Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership and external suppliers.
- 2
Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) / Head of ESG (Large Enterprise)
5-10 years at CSO/Head of ESG level prior to combined CPO/CSOSkills to master
- Deep expertise in ESG strategy, reporting, investor relations, and stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to embed sustainability across all business functions, not just procurement.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully developed and implemented an enterprise-wide ESG strategy.
- Improved the company's ESG ratings significantly.
- Effectively engaged with investors and NGOs on sustainability matters.
- Built strong relationships with functional leaders to drive ESG integration.
- 3
Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) (Mid-to-Large Enterprise)
5-8 years at COO/CSCO level prior to CPO/CSOSkills to master
- End-to-end operational excellence, logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain management. A holistic view of how procurement integrates with the entire operational value chain.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed complex global operations and supply chains.
- Optimised operational efficiency and resilience.
- Demonstrated strong cross-functional leadership across manufacturing, logistics, and procurement.
- Proven ability to drive operational transformation.