Art of Procurement
794: What Matters Most in Modern Procurement Hiring W/ Derek Lutz
“Procurement isn’t just a cost center; it’s a true value driver. So when they’re recruiting, CPOs and heads of procurement are looking for someone who's current and who is bringing ideas to the table. They’re not just hiring buyers anymore.” - Derek Lutz, Founder and CEO, Lean Six Search
As economic and geopolitical instability sends ripples of doubt across global supply chains, the question of which procurement skills will remain valuable, as well as which ones are becoming obsolete, has never been more relevant.
In this episode, host Philip Ideson talks about the evolving challenges of procurement talent acquisition and retention with Deerek Lutz, Founder and CEO of Lean Six Search. Derek has filled roles in over 50 countries (and has himself travelled to 173), and he offers a truly global perspective on procurement talent trends.
Derek shares his perspective on the shifting nature of procurement leadership, as well as what makes candidates stand out in today’s job market.
His insights include commentary on:
- The most resilient (and recession-proof) procurement jobs that remain in high demand, even in uncertain markets
- The ways CPOs are looking beyond traditional backgrounds to level-up their teams, including recruiting from adjacent functions like finance, sales, or operations
- The evolution of procurement’s most valuable skills, and storytelling and commercial innovation have eclipsed technical experience
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