With 2026 on the horizon, Procurement teams worldwide are taking stock of one of the most demanding and transformative years in recent memory. Recognising this, CASME’s webinar ‘Risk, Robots and Reputation’ brought together insights from benchmarking, surveys, and member discussions to explore how Procurement is adapting to a rapidly changing environment, and where the function is headed next.

Held across both Europe and the Americas, the two sessions invited the wider procurement community to take part in live polls. The combined results offer a compelling snapshot of Procurement’s current priorities, challenges and progress.

How are Procurement teams future-proofing their function?

In the first poll, participants were asked to identify the top three ways Procurement is preparing for the future. The combined results from both regions were clear:

• Establishing Procurement as a strategic business partner
• Aligning Procurement with enterprise-wide business objectives
• Improving the use of data to manage risk and compliance.

These findings reinforce what many in the profession are already experiencing. Procurement has made significant progress in strengthening its internal profile, and this momentum must continue into 2026. The global emphasis on data-driven decision-making signals that Procurement is maturing beyond its traditional cost focus to become an integral part of enterprise strategy and governance. Future-ready Procurement is driven by insights that are grounded in data, shared experiences, and collective intelligence.

Where should Procurement focus to improve risk resilience?

Unsurprisingly, risk dominated discussions throughout 2025. From geopolitical disruption to criminal cyberattacks, Procurement has played a critical role in helping organisations respond. The combined poll results confirmed where teams are now concentrating their efforts:

• Strengthening supplier risk assessment models
• Implementing proactive planning for disruptions
• Engaging legal teams early in sourcing processes.

This represents a decisive shift from reactive firefighting to proactive resilience planning. Notably, the inclusion of legal teams early in the sourcing cycle reflects a growing recognition of the contractual and regulatory complexities that underpin modern supply chains. Cybersecurity and multi-tier visibility remain high on the global agenda; areas where Procurement’s influence continues to expand.

Anticipating disruption is just as important as responding to it – and within CASME’s global community, the sharing of insights, experiences, and foresight is what makes that possible.

Where is AI making the biggest impact in Procurement?

Despite the hype, AI’s role in Procurement is becoming more pragmatic and targeted. When asked to identify where AI has the greatest potential to improve effectiveness, participants across both regions pointed to three clear areas:

• Automating routine procurement tasks
• Forecasting demand and pricing trends
• Contract analytics and compliance tracking.

Procurement is moving from experimentation to real-world application. It may not be transforming the function overnight, but it is already delivering measurable improvements in productivity and decision support.

Automation is freeing teams from repetitive administrative work, predictive analytics is enhancing foresight in cost and demand planning, and AI-driven contract tools are improving visibility, compliance and speed in managing supplier relationships. From deeper supplier intelligence to predictive analytics and smarter data use, AI is helping Procurement operate faster and with greater strategic impact.

Yes, as many CASME members have observed, true progress depends on more than technology. AI’s potential will only be fully realised when combined with human expertise, peer insight, and informed judgement; supported by high-quality data, robust integration, ethical use, and effective change management.

How do suppliers perceive Procurement?

Perhaps the most revealing insight came from the final poll. Despite Procurement’s internal progress, supplier perception remains divided. The top global response to how suppliers regard Procurement was: 

• A compliance gatekeeper focused on process enforcement.

However, encouragingly, the next most common response was:

• A trusted point of entry into the business.

This contrast paints a nuanced picture. While some suppliers still view Procurement as procedural and policy-driven, others increasingly recognise its role as a strategic connector, a gateway into the organisation that can enable stronger, more collaborative partnerships.

It’s a reminder that while Procurement’s strategic credibility inside the business continues to grow, there’s work to do in reshaping its reputation externally. The path forward lies in collaboration, transparency, and a focus on shared value creation - particularly through innovation, ESG delivery, and supplier partnerships that go beyond compliance. 

Within CASME’s global procurement community, these themes are emerging as common priorities. By sharing experiences and best practices through benchmarking and discussions, members are helping to redefine the function’s external image - shifting perception from compliance to collaboration, and from gatekeeper to trusted partner.

Final Thoughts

Procurement in 2025 has been defined by pressure, progress, and potential. While cost optimisation remains an unavoidable focus, there is growing evidence that the function is moving toward greater strategic influence and business integration.

Looking ahead to 2026, the challenge will be to sustain this momentum. This will entail embedding AI responsibly, strengthening risk resilience, restoring ESG as a business imperative, and continuing to elevate how Procurement is perceived both inside and outside the organisation.

Within CASME’s global procurement community, these priorities will remain central to discussion and peer learning. Thank you to everyone who joined the live sessions across Europe and the Americas for contributing to this shared journey of insight and collaboration. 

Interested in seeing how your Procurement priorities align with peers?
Join CASME’s global community of Procurement professionals to access live benchmarking, interactive RoundTables, and practical insights grounded in real-world experience. All delivered independently, without influence from suppliers or sponsors.

Through shared learning, open discussion and benchmarking, CASME members are collectively strengthening their ability to foresee risks, prepare effectively, and build resilience across their organisations.