EP 44: The Procurement Development Gap and How to Close It

Procurement careers are evolving at pace.

The remit is expanding. Expectations are rising. Pressure is increasing.

Yet in many organisations, learning and development support has reduced, shifted or become less personalised.

Some procurement professionals receive strong internal investment. Others receive very little. Even within the same organisation, the level of development can vary significantly.

In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura explore what we are calling the Procurement Development Gap. This is the space between where your career is heading and the skills, capability and confidence you are intentionally building.

Career acceleration rarely happens by accident. It happens through clarity, ownership and aligned investment.

In this episode we explore:

Why the L&D landscape has shifted in procurement
> How reduced or inconsistent development support is impacting procurement careers

What the Procurement Development Gap really looks like
> The difference between evolving role expectations and personal capability building

How to carry out a meaningful gap analysis
> Identifying where you are now, where you want to go and what may be holding you back

Why progression is often about leadership presence, influence and impact
> Not just technical or category expertise

Avoiding overwhelm in an age of information overload
> How to prioritise what will genuinely move the needle

The ROI of investing in your own professional development
> Considering time, energy and financial investment with intention

How to build a business case for support
> Why development conversations can form part of annual reviews, salary discussions and retention strategies

The power of accountability and aligned support
> From coaching and mentoring to peer conversations and targeted learning

Takeaways

• A clearer understanding of the Procurement Development Gap
• Practical guidance on prioritising procurement professional development with intention
• Encouragement to move from passive provision to proactive ownership
• A reminder that investing in yourself is strategic

Hosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for Procurement

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What development gap are you currently closing in your procurement career?
Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.