Find out what the main skills for buyers are in 2025

The role of purchasing professionals in companies is becoming increasingly strategic. By 2025, the purchasing area will consolidate itself as a fundamental pillar in value generation, requiring new skills to deal with a dynamic and technological scenario. 

With the increasing process automation, the market will demand professionals prepared to analyze data, make quick decisions, establish strategic partnerships and use advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, to boost purchasing performance.  

Furthermore, transparency and ethics will gain even more relevance, reinforcing the need for a sustainable management in supplies. To stand out in this new scenario, purchasing professionals will need to develop both technical and behavioral skills. 

Check out the essential skills for buyers in 2025 and find out how to improve them:

1. Critical thinking

Making informed decisions means analyzing relevant data, considering complex scenarios, and acting based on accurate information.  

The buyer's critical thinking is essential to identify risks and opportunities, ensuring choices aligned with the company's objectives. 

How to improve: Question assumptions, use data, compare different scenarios and seek reliable information to support your decisions. 

 

 2. Strategic planning

An efficient buyer must act proactively, anticipating demands and challenges. A strategic planning results defined allows you to make the best decisions with a focus on results. 

Setting goals and KPIs, developing strategic partnerships, and adopting advanced technologies and automation are essential steps to increasing competitiveness.  

How to improve: Set purchasing goals aligned with company strategies, monitor KPIs and adjust strategies whenever necessary. 

 

3. Automation, robotics and AI

Digital transformation in procurement has been driven by automation, IA and robotics, which increase operational efficiency and improve decision-making.  

These and other advanced technologies allow you to optimize repetitive processes, analyze large volumes of data and help the buyer predict trends and opportunities. 

How to improve: Use a solution e-Procurement and automation technologies, such as RPA (Robotic Process Automation), to reduce operational tasks and increase productivity. 

 

4. Market intelligence

A Market intelligence  transforms data and information into strategic insights, enabling more assertive decision-making. 

By better understanding the market, buyers can negotiate more competitive contracts and anticipate changes that may impact the availability or price of products. 

How to improve: Collect data and information, monitor indicators, analyze purchasing trends and anticipate scenarios to optimize strategies. 

 

5. Agility in decision making

Unlike lengthy and bureaucratic processes, which impact the agility of operations, agile procurement has a dynamic approach and adapts quickly to market changes. 

Rapid decision-making allows strategies to be adjusted in real time, reduces unnecessary purchasing costs and increases innovation capacity.  

How to improve: Perform predictive analysis, structure workflows to respond quickly to market changes, and automate repetitive processes.  

 

6. Trading Strategies

Negotiating with suppliers is one of the most important skills for the modern buyer. But today, in such a competitive market, it is necessary to go beyond guaranteeing savings.

An effective negotiation generates value for both companies, buyers and suppliers, considering aspects such as quality, sustainability and innovation. 

How to improve: Negotiate with intelligence and empathy, understanding the supplier's needs. Seek to strengthen partnerships to increase competitiveness. 

 

7. Ethics and transparency

Acting ethically and transparently in relationships with suppliers and adopting corporate governance practices are essential attitudes for building a successful career in purchasing. 

Furthermore, by ensuring compliance with standards and regulations, the professional helps to mitigate risks, strengthen the company's reputation and establish more lasting partnerships. 

How to improve: Adopt governance practices and compliance, comply with standards and regulations and maintain honest and transparent relationships with suppliers.   

 

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