Building a Skilled, Resilient Procurement Workforce

The Workforce Crisis Procurement Can’t Ignore

Public procurement faces a critical turning point. A wave of retirement is expected to hit government service in the coming decade. For procurement, this means many agencies risk losing their most experienced procurement professionals all at once. In the U.S. and Canada, state and local governments often rely on just a handful of individuals to manage entire procurement processes, leaving agencies especially vulnerable to turnover.

This demographic shift represents more than staffing gaps. It also threatens continuity, compliance, and the ability to deliver public services. Without intentional investment in training and talent pipelines, governments risk losing institutional knowledge and weakening vendor relationships and supplier performance at the very moment when demand for procurement leadership is rising.

The Cost of Standing Still

The risks of inaction are both operational and strategic. Delayed solicitations, protestable bids, and compliance errors can erode public trust and slow critical projects. Internally, burnout and turnover worsen when staff are left unsupported.

The “City of Long Beach: Leading with People, Powered by Data” case study illustrates what’s possible when agencies act differently. By leading with people and data, Long Beach redefined its procurement function as a strategic, empowered profession. Their success underscores that when agencies treat procurement as a profession worth investing in, innovation and resilience follow.

Inaction slows operations and undermines trust. Communities expect government to spend public funds effectively, and delays or compliance failures erode that confidence. Procurement activity is central to business operations, and without skilled teams and reliable procurement systems, the impact can ripple across entire programs and supply chains.

Rethinking Talent Strategy for the Next Generation

Attracting and retaining the next wave of procurement leaders means reframing procurement itself. No longer a back-office function, procurement now drives innovation, shapes policy, and impacts community outcomes.

Younger professionals seek mission-driven work, clear career pathways, high quality job training, and modern tools. Agencies can respond by:

• Updating job descriptions to reflect the analytical and collaborative nature of procurement
• Building university partnerships and offering procurement-focused internships
• Promoting procurement as a career path with impact, growth, and leadership potential

Our “Shaping the Future: 7 Key Trends Transforming Public Procurement” ebook underscores workforce professionalization as a top trend for 2025 and beyond, reminding leaders that this challenge is both urgent and global.

This talent strategy must also include well-defined training programs that support a wide range of roles, from contract managers to intake specialists. By investing in cross-training and skills development, procurement teams can ensure smoother succession and reduce disruption when turnover occurs.

How Technology Supports Workforce Resilience

One of the most powerful tools for workforce development is modern procurement technology. Platforms like SOVRA’s procurement solution embed compliance and best practices directly into workflows. This transforms every transaction into a training opportunity, reducing risk while empowering staff.

The “Fulton County: Modernizing Procurement and Surviving a Cyber Attack” case study demonstrates how technology also provides continuity during disruption. When unexpected challenges arise, standardized digital systems help teams stay focused on strategy rather than scrambling over manual tasks.

SOVRA’s 360° Procurement ecosystem unites sourcing, supplier management, and contracting into one connected platform built for the public sector. By eliminating manual work and embedding automation across the entire procurement lifecycle, it helps teams focus on strategic goals even during times of disruption. Beyond empowering procurement professionals, it also helps companies of all sizes across the U.S. and Canada win more government business, creating a transparent, efficient marketplace where everyone benefits.

Building a Culture of Continuous Learning

Professionalizing procurement demands a cultural shift. Agencies must recognize procurement as a career worth developing, with ongoing opportunities for growth.

As highlighted in our CPO Pain Points eBook, lack of access to skills is one of the most pressing challenges for leaders today. Structured training, cross-training across roles, and just-in-time learning resources can all help agencies prepare for turnover while empowering staff to grow.

Our blog, “Leading Change Management in Public Procurement,” echoes this theme: digital tools and intentional leadership are critical in creating environments where employees embrace new ways of working. When culture evolves alongside technology, agencies become both more agile and more attractive to the next generation of professionals.

Continuous learning also improves procurement strategy at every level. Supporting inventory management, strengthening procurement operations, and making procurement teams more capable of aligning vendor relationships with agency goals.

A Strategic Investment in People

Ultimately, procurement resilience starts with people. Technology and process improvements matter. But without skilled professionals, neither can deliver long term results. Investing in procurement talent is a strategic choice that strengthens compliance, speeds project delivery, and creates better outcomes for communities.

Governments that view procurement as a profession—not just a process—are best positioned to succeed. Those that act now will retain knowledge, attract top talent, and build teams capable of leading through change. With the right mix of training, culture, and tools, agencies can build a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, and resilient in the face of change.

Ready to see how SOVRA can help equip your team for the future?

Read our full whitepaper, “Future-Proof Public Procurement for a Skilled, Resilient Workforce,” to learn more about this workforce revolution.