What does a director of procurement do?
A director of procurement sets the multi-year procurement strategy, drives digital transformation, leads the ESG and sustainability agenda, and builds the business case for change across the function.
The director of procurement owns strategy. Where a procurement manager runs the team and the numbers, the director decides where procurement is going: the operating model, the technology, the sustainability commitments and the capability the function needs.
It is a bridge role between operational leadership and the C-suite, and demands as much commercial and change-leadership skill as procurement expertise.
What a Director of Procurement does
Key responsibilities
- Define multi-year procurement strategy
- Drive digital procurement transformation
- Lead ESG, sustainability and ethical sourcing
- Build business cases for technology and change
- Develop procurement leadership and capability
Skills you need
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How to become a Director of Procurement
Directors of procurement almost always come up through procurement manager roles, adding strategy, digital and ESG capability on top of operational leadership. Around 10-15 years of progressive experience is typical.
At this level, training shifts from technical procurement to strategy, digital transformation and sustainability, the areas a director is expected to lead the organisation through.
The Director of Procurement on the career ladder
This role is one rung of the wider procurement career path. See the role below, the role above, or the full ladder from Buyer to CPO.
Director of Procurement questions, answered
What does a director of procurement do?
A director of procurement sets multi-year strategy, leads digital and ESG transformation, and builds the business case for change across the procurement function.
How do you become a director of procurement?
Typically by progressing through procurement manager roles over 10-15 years and adding strategy, digitalisation and sustainability capability on top of operational leadership.
What is the difference between a procurement manager and a director?
A manager runs the team and owns the numbers. A director sets the strategy, operating model and technology direction for the whole function.
What is the next step after director of procurement?
The next step is Chief Procurement Officer, owning the procurement vision and representing procurement at board level.
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