the 2026annualprocureconcpo report Emerging Insights Aboutthe Evolving Role of the the 2026 annual procurecon cpo report table of contents Executive Summary_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2About the Respondents____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3Key Insights____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3The Expanding Strategic Role of the CPO_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________5CPO Priorities and Challenges in 2026__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________7Procurement’s Role in Technology Implementation and AI Readiness______________________________________________________________________10How the CPO Role will Change in Three Years_____________________________________________________________________________________________________13Conclusion: CPOs Have a Critical Strategic Voice in Every Decision__________________________________________________________________________15 executive summary Here, readers willdiscover what'snext for CPOs,AI integration,and the role of This report examines how chief procurement officers are expanding their strategicinfluence within organizations. Based on a survey of senior procurement, supplychain, and risk management leaders, respondents report that their CPOs are playing a However, there are some key differences when these results are compared to lastyear’s report. Artificial intelligence is playing a larger role in procurement leaders’strategic priorities, just as it is causing disruptions to procurement practices and hiring. the 2026 annual procurecon cpo report about the respondents Industries Spend Under Seniority: Roles: oPharmaceuticaloManufactured goodsoTelecom, electronics, & high-techoChemicals, plastics, & polymersoIndustrial manufacturingoMedical devicesoEnergy, oil, & gas key insights CPOs’ biggest strategic priorities in the next 12 months:oEnhancing strategic partnerships (55%)oImplementing AI-driven automation (45%) 89%say their CPO plays a greater role in high-leveldecision making. CPOs’ biggest challenges in the next 12 months: oSecuring digital and analytical talent (54%)oBalancing cost reduction with growth (52%)oMeeting increasing sustainability demands (46%) 82% 11%Only 11% describe their CPO as a “core member” The three biggest barriers to AI readiness among those of the executive team. oData privacy, security, and compliance (67%)oInsufficient data quality and integration (54%)oConcerns about AI overreach (51%) 11%Only 11% are “fully ready” to leverage AI. the 2026 annual procurecon cpo report the expanding strategic role of the cpo The chief procurement officer role has evolved dramatically in recent years. Survey respondents Despite some similarities to trends discovered in last year’s study, CPOs are expected to drive A striking 89% of respondents indicate their CPO now playsa greater role in high-level decision-making comparedto previous years, with 25% describing this increase as“significant.” This data suggests procurement has moved In the past 12 months, how has your CPO's role inhigh-level decision-making evolved? 25%The CPO plays significantlymore of a role in high-leveldecision-making. 64%The CPO plays somewhatmore of a role in high-leveldecision-making. 11%The CPO's role in high-level decision-making hasremained about the same.0%The CPO plays less of a role inhigh-level decision-making. Looking ahead, organizations expect this strategicevolution to accelerate. In total, 82% of respondentsanticipate their CPO's impact on decision-making willcontinue to rise, while only 18% expect no change. This How do you expect your CPO's role in high-leveldecision-making to change over the next 12 months? 43%The CPO will play significantlymore of a role in high-leveldecision-making.39%The CPO will play somewhatmore of a role in high-leveldecision-making.18%The CPO's role in high-level Notably, none of the respondents predict a decline inCPO influence (compared to 1% last year). This growinginfluence reflects how deeply procurement has become the 2026 annual procurecon cpo report Perhaps most telling is how respondents describe theirCPO's current standing within leadership. Which of the following best describes your CPO's current While 11% report their CPO serves as a core executiveteam member with an equal voice in all strategicdecisions, the majority (48%) describe their CPO as aregular participant in strategic planning with significantprocurement-related input. Though this positioning They are a core member of the executive team with an equal voice inall strategic deci