Key priorities for procurement leaders
Our 2026 CPO Report, based on interviews with 10 global CPOs, points to a clear shift. Leaders are moving from disruption-led firefighting to a more design-led approach, where technology choices and strategic value matter as much as commercial outcomes.
The infographic below brings the key themes to life:
AI is now standard
First, the tech imperative. AI is no longer a differentiator; it’s the default. It came up in every interview, which tells you something: CPOs now talk about AI the way they used to talk about eSourcing or analytics; it’s becoming basic operating language. The warning is just as important as the opportunity. Teams need to be intentional, pick a real use case, and commit. Start where the problem is clear and the impact is measurable, then scale from evidence, not enthusiasm.
AI also plays into a topic that leaders don’t always say out loud: Talent. Modern tools can make procurement a more attractive career, reduce the grind, and help keep high performers who have options.
Cost to value
Second, the strategic shift from cost to value. Resilience is being treated as a capability, not a cost line to squeeze. Many executives are prepared to pay a premium for continuity because the alternative is disruption, lost revenue, and reputational damage.
That pushes procurement deeper into the supply base. Real risks and opportunities often sit in Tier 2 or Tier 3 suppliers, not just Tier 1. Multi-tier visibility stops being a nice-to-have when it’s the difference between spotting a problem early and being the last to know.
Six Levers of Value
Finally, the value conversation gets sharper. The report calls out six levers procurement leaders need to master: cost, cash, risk, quality, delivery, and innovation. The best teams don’t treat these as competing agendas; they design decision-making that makes trade-offs explicit.
Download the full 2026 CPO Report
Explore the themes in more detail, and see what global procurement leaders are planning for the year ahead.
Click to read more
