Why soft skills are the top procurement skills for 2025

Procurement functions are undergoing a seismic shift.

As artificial intelligence and automation take over routine tasks like data entry and vendor comparisons, procurement leaders are being called to step into more strategic, human-centric roles. As this new era unfolds, soft skills have emerged as the key differentiator between good procurement professionals and great ones.

At Zip, our Advisory team has long been beating this drum. Many of those on our team are predicting that in 2025, procurement will prioritize nurturing relationships, building trust, and fostering collaboration—all areas where soft skills shine. These capabilities will not only define success for the next generation of procurement leaders, but will also enable our organizations to unlock unprecedented value. 

Procurement, after all, is people. 

Let’s take a look at the top procurement soft skills for 2025.

Why soft skills are the future of procurement

It’s simple: technology is allowing for unprecedented advancements in how we work. From AI to automation, intake management and orchestrated stakeholder workflows, there’s never been a better time to focus on building the top skills for procurement that optimize for strategic opportunity.

The AI and automation revolution

With advancements in AI, procurement is becoming more efficient than ever. Technology is automating tasks such as invoice reconciliation, spend analysis, and vendor selection, giving procurement professionals the freedom to focus on strategic initiatives. But while AI excels at processing data, it cannot replace the emotional intelligence required to manage relationships or resolve conflicts.

The rise of strategic procurement

As organizations increasingly rely on procurement to drive cost savings, innovation, and risk mitigation, procurement teams are evolving into strategic business partners. The role now demands more than technical expertise—it requires collaboration across departments, alignment with business goals, and a clear vision for the future.

Data-driven relationships

Even with AI tools supporting data analysis and decision-making, the human element remains irreplaceable. Procurement leaders must use insights to build deeper relationships with suppliers, negotiate effectively, and align stakeholders toward shared goals.

Fortunately, there are certain skills we can focus on as procurement professionals to accomplish these goals both externally and internally.

These are the top procurement soft skills for 2025

1. Stakeholder engagement

Procurement is no longer a siloed function—it’s an orchestrated bridge between finance, IT, operations, and suppliers. To succeed, procurement professionals must engage stakeholders proactively, ensuring their needs are met while aligning with broader organizational objectives. Open communication, empathy, and active listening are the key to fostering trust and collaboration.

2. Supplier relationship management

Strong supplier relationships are the backbone of a resilient purchasing chain. Procurement leaders in 2025 will prioritize trust-building, transparency, and long-term partnerships. This, however, can be a delicate balance, when also managing internal stakeholder needs.

As Zip VP of Advisory Colin Glazier mentioned in his recent Q&A, procurement leaders “have to be able to understand and balance the business needs of requesters, the cross functional teams involved in the procurement process, the overall business goals of your organization, as well as the health and goals of their suppliers.”

3. Conflict resolution

Procurement professionals often find themselves navigating competing priorities. Whether it’s mediating between stakeholders or resolving disputes with suppliers, effective conflict resolution requires emotional intelligence, patience, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Ross Sharp, Director, Product Solutions Advisory at Zip, shared some thoughts on this topic: “Listen to your customers: the internal requestors who interact with procurement every day. What are their real issues day-to-day? Everything starts from there.”

4. Negotiation skills

While AI can provide data to inform negotiations, it’s up to procurement leaders to connect with people and find mutually beneficial outcomes. Empathy, persuasion, and adaptability are essential to close deals that go beyond numbers and drive true value.

5. Storytelling with data

Procurement teams have access to more data than ever before, but the ability to translate insights into compelling narratives is a critical skill. Whether presenting to executives or justifying decisions to stakeholders, procurement leaders must combine technical insights with storytelling to make an impact.

6. Vision and purpose

Procurement professionals at the leadership level need more than operational expertise—they must inspire their teams and align their efforts with the company’s strategic goals. Vision and purpose are what transform procurement from a support function into a driver of innovation and growth.

How to cultivate procurement soft skills

There are several ways to grow you and your team’s soft skillset as procurement professionals all of which will yield dividends if developed thoughtfully and carefully.

1. Training and development

Organizations can invest in soft skill training for their procurement teams, offering workshops, mentorship programs, and online courses. Skills like active listening, conflict resolution, and storytelling can all be developed with the right resources.

2. Leverage AI as an enabler

Rather than seeing AI as a replacement, procurement leaders should use it as an enabler. 

By automating repetitive tasks, AI-powered procurement processes can free up time for professionals to focus on what matters most: building relationships and making strategic decisions.

3. Build a culture of collaboration

Creating a culture that values collaboration and open communication is key to fostering soft skills. Procurement leaders should work closely with other departments to ensure alignment and mutual understanding.

Perspectives from Zip’s Advisory Team

Zip’s advisory team, composed of former procurement leaders from organizations like Apple and Discover Financial, are fully attuned to the needs of tomorrow’s leaders.

As Zip Head of Enterprise Transformation Jason Moore stated in his recent Zip Q&A: “As more of the transactional work gets automated, soft skills will become increasingly important. Invest in relationships with your business partners and suppliers.”

As we said at the top of this piece, ‘procurement is people’—which is true both in the internal operational side of the function, but also when it comes to the supplier partners we negotiate with every day.

Ross Sharp put it even more bluntly: “I’m still a firm believer that soft skills in procurement are the key to everything!“

Looking ahead: the strategic role of procurement in 2025

Soft skills aren’t a nice-to-have—they’re essential for procurement professionals who want to thrive in the years ahead. By mastering relationship-building, storytelling, and collaboration, procurement leaders can position themselves as strategic partners and catalysts for growth within their organizations.

At Zip, we believe that the future of procurement lies at the intersection of technology and human expertise. As you prepare for 2025, we invite you to explore how Zip’s solutions can help you focus on what truly matters: building relationships, driving impact, and letting business flow.

The procurement function is evolving, and thoughtful strategy, negotiation, and supplier relationships are at the heart of this transformation. 

As AI and automation take care of routine tasks, procurement leaders have the opportunity to focus on the human side of the business, driving value through collaboration, trust, and vision. Are you ready to embrace the future of procurement?