Talking Supply Chain: Building a procurement talent pipeline

If the supply chain enables industry, procurement is the key to its life. But, like many industries, procurement is facing a talent shortage. That is especially true in the public procurement space. Overall, 70% of procurement organizations are struggling to find the right talent.

In 2024, finding the right talent takes more skill than just posting a help-wanted ad. It is a complicated effort that, if done correctly, can build a pipeline of talent that will keep the procurement operation humming. Unfortunately, too many have leaky employee pipelines.

“It is a universal challenge. And I think a lot of our government agencies, especially within the procurement sector, struggle with messaging and being able to effectively communicate what it is that we do," Daniel May, director of procurement talent development for the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), said. “You take anyone from the general public. A lot of them have no awareness of procurement. So they are not aware of the impact of those services. A big piece of this talent development puzzle for us is, how do we tell that story differently? How do we convey and communicate the importance of a procurement function on services that people see and use every day? It’s really hard to leave your house, to drive to work, to go out in public and not see something that was impacted by public procurement. A good example, utility, poles or road construction projects; infrastructure, parks and recreation. Those may be at the local government, but it’s all tied into public procurement.”

NASPO works with state and local governments to improve procurement processes and educate governments on the benefits procurement professionals provide to government organizations. Among these are navigating regulations that govern state contracts.

May joined the Talking Supply Chain podcast to discuss the issues facing public procurement professionals and the work NASPO is doing to educate the public—including unique programs at the high school level to grow the procurement employment pipeline—on the important role these pros play in everyday life.

Listen today.

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