CPO Outlook 2025 Themes
Transform while performing.
Procurement leaders today must balance performance, transformation, compliance, and innovation — all at once. At CPO Outlook 2025, we explore nine strategic focus areas shaping the global procurement agenda — supported by insights from EY, Hackett, BCG, GEP and McKinsey. The data points are estimated and deducted by EBG – see each study for verification.
🎯 Strategic Leadership & Value Creation
Themes focused on mindset, organizational influence, and procurement’s evolving role in business strategy.
- From Fragmented to Forward
→ Positioning procurement as a strategic, insight-driven partner - Leadership Under Pressure
→ Leading confidently through uncertainty and constant change - Operating Model Redesign
→ Redefining roles, structures, and governance to scale performance
🤖 Digital & AI-Driven Transformation
Themes exploring the impact, implementation, and scaling of digital tools and GenAI in procurement.
- GenAI & Intelligent Automation
→ Moving from pilots to performance across categories and processes - Digital Risk, Cloud & Compliance
→ Managing exposure and accountability in a platform-first world
👥 People, Skills & Collaboration
Themes addressing evolving capabilities, team design, and supplier relationships.
- Talent, Skills & Role Evolution
→ Building future-ready teams while maintaining performance - Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle
→ Creating value through structured SRM and lifecycle visibility
🛡️ Risk, Resilience & Control
Themes that confront today’s most pressing challenges in a volatile world.
- Resilience and Risk
→ Proactively preparing for disruptions, regulations, and volatility - Indirect Procurement Mastery
→ Bringing visibility and control to fragmented, high-leakage spend
Theme Discussion overview Day 1
| Topic | Theme | Session Block |
| From Fragmented to Forward: Elevating Procurement’s Strategic Role | Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward | TD1 |
| From Pilot to Performance: Implementing Generative AI in Procurement | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | TD1 |
| The Future-Ready Team: Building Skills and Structures for Tomorrow | Theme 3: Talent, Skills & Role Evolution | TD1 |
| Shared Ownership: Managing Digital Risk and Supplier Platform Exposure | Theme 4: Digital Risk, Cloud & Compliance | TD1 |
| Procurement in the Storm: Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience | Theme 5: Resilience and Risk | TD1 |
| Taming the Tail: Visibility and Control in Indirect Procurement | Theme 8: Indirect Procurement Mastery | TD1 |
| Beyond Savings: Strengthening Supplier Relationships for Strategic Impact | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD1 |
| Scaling with Sense: Redesigning Procurement Operating Models | Theme 7: Operating Model Redesign | TD1 |
| Confidence Without Clarity: Leading Through Uncertainty | Theme 9: Leadership Under Pressure | TD1 |
| Measuring Up: Benchmarking Procurement Excellence | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD1 |
| From Risk to Value: Integrating ESG into Supplier Strategies | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD2 |
| Smarter Spend: Using AI to Enhance Margins and Insight | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | TD2 |
| Seeing Trouble Coming: Proactive Supplier Risk Monitoring with AI | Theme 5: Resilience and Risk | TD2 |
| Cloud Power: Harmonizing Spend and Governance Through Tech | Theme 4: Digital Risk, Cloud & Compliance | TD2 |
| Freeing Capacity: Automating Tactical Procurement Tasks | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | TD2 |
| Lifecycle Precision: Boosting SRM with the Right Platforms | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD2 |
| Transparency with Purpose: Leveraging ESG Ratings in Supplier Selection | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD2 |
| Digital Momentum: Aligning Transformation with Strategic Procurement Goals | Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward | TD2 |
| Better Decisions, Faster: Enhancing Procurement Strategies with Data | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | TD2 |
| Procurement Innovation Labs: Creating Space to Test and Scale Ideas | Theme 3: Talent, Skills & Role Evolution | TD2 |
Focused Theme Discussion Overview Day 2
| Workshop Topic | Theme | Session Block | Tied to Xperience |
| Mitigating Third-Party Risk with Real-Time Insights | Theme 5: Resilience and Risk | Workshop 1 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Gothenburg |
| Embedding ESG into Category Strategy & Supplier Selection | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | Workshop 2 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Gothenburg |
| Leveraging AI & Automation for Tactical Process Offloading | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | Workshop 3 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Copenhagen |
| Rebuilding Procurement for Indirect Spend Control | Theme 8: Indirect Procurement Mastery | Workshop 4 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Copenhagen |
| Turning Procurement Data into Predictive Insights | Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward | Workshop 5 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Gothenburg |
| Transforming the Operating Model for Cross-Functional Integration | Theme 7: Operating Model Redesign | Workshop 6 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Stockholm |
| Building Leadership Capacity in Uncertain Times | Theme 9: Leadership Under Pressure | Workshop 7 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Stockholm |
| Future-Proofing Procurement Capabilities Through Skills Development | Theme 3: Talent, Skills & Role Evolution | Workshop 8 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Gothenburg |
🔹 Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward — Procurement as a Strategic Navigator
Why it matters:
Procurement must evolve from siloed, reactive functions into integrated, insight-driven partners. But most leaders lack real-time visibility, cross-functional alignment, and influence at the strategy table.
Insight:
Only 24% of CPOs say they have the data and tools needed for strategic decision-making.
– EY Global CPO Survey 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What prevents procurement from being seen as a strategic business partner?
- How can leaders create visibility using fragmented systems and data?
- Who owns procurement insights — and should that change?
- To what extent can procurement influence upstream business priorities?
🔹 Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation — From Hype to Integration
Why it matters:
Generative AI and automation can unlock real value, but most organizations are stuck in pilot mode. The opportunity lies in structured scaling — with use cases, governance, and leadership.
Insight:
80% of CPOs plan to use GenAI, but only 36% have started implementation.
– EY Global CPO Survey 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What GenAI use cases are ready to scale in procurement today?
- How can we implement AI without overwhelming teams or compliance?
- Who should lead GenAI adoption — procurement, IT, or both?
- To what extent is your team and data ecosystem ready for AI?
🔹 Theme 3: Talent, Skills & Role Evolution — The Future-Ready Procurement Team
Why it matters:
Digital transformation is accelerating, but hiring and development still focus on legacy roles. Leaders must rebuild the procurement skillset — and support evolving career paths.
Insight:
84% of CPOs say talent development is critical to value creation, yet few have a clear roadmap.
– EY Global CPO Survey 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What capabilities are missing from your team today?
- How can you upskill while managing workload and change?
- Who is ready to lead digital, ESG, or AI transformation?
- To what extent does your current structure reflect the future of procurement?
🔹 Theme 4: Digital Risk, Cloud & Compliance — Shared Exposure, Shared Ownership
Why it matters:
With more platforms, more third-party tools, and more data — procurement is exposed to rising digital and regulatory risks. Leaders must own their part of the risk equation.
Insight:
53% of procurement leaders say poor data quality and unrealistic expectations are major digital barriers.
– Hackett CPO Agenda 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What digital risks are most urgent in your procurement landscape?
- How are you partnering with IT, Legal, and Security on supplier platforms?
- Who is accountable for digital sourcing risk and governance?
- To what extent are risk and compliance integrated into your sourcing workflows?
🔹 Theme 5: Resilience and Risk — Building Control in a World That Won’t Slow Down
Why it matters:
From economic volatility to ESG regulation, procurement is on the frontlines of risk and continuity. But most organizations lack real-time data and forward-looking frameworks.
Insight:
Resilience ranks among the top 3 procurement priorities, yet only 35% feel equipped to manage it effectively.
– EY + Hackett 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What risks are becoming systemic across your categories and geographies?
- How can you balance agility and compliance without increasing complexity?
- Who owns supply continuity and mitigation strategy?
- To what extent do you use scenario planning to prepare for future shocks?
🔹 Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle — From Tactical Spend to Strategic Partnerships
Why it matters:
Organizations are under pressure to manage cost, risk, innovation, and ESG — all through suppliers. Yet most lack structured supplier segmentation, performance management, or lifecycle visibility.
Insight:
71% of leaders believe supplier collaboration will drive innovation — but only 23% have full lifecycle insight.
– Hackett + EY 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What defines SRM maturity in your organization?
- How can supplier data and relationships drive value, compliance, and performance?
- Who owns the supplier ecosystem and lifecycle visibility?
- To what extent are suppliers integrated into strategic planning?
🔹 Theme 7: Operating Model Redesign — Performing While Transforming
Why it matters:
CPOs are being asked to do more with less — requiring new ways of working, leaner governance, and smarter tech integration. Traditional procurement structures are under strain.
Insight:
Procurement faces a 9% “efficiency gap” — 10% workload growth vs. 1% budget growth.
– Hackett CPO Agenda 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What must change in your procurement model to stay fit for 2026?
- How can you simplify processes without losing control or value?
- Who owns operating model transformation — and are they empowered?
- To what extent have you shifted decision rights, roles, or platforms?
🔹 Theme 8: Indirect Procurement Mastery — Visibility and Control Across the Tail
Why it matters:
Indirect spend — especially services, SaaS, and tail — remains opaque, fragmented, and unmanaged in many companies. Yet it holds significant potential for value, control, and risk reduction.
Insight:
Only 13% of companies have digitized end-to-end indirect procurement.
– BCG Indirect Spend 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What categories or processes in indirect spend are still unmanaged?
- How can you bring structure without blocking flexibility?
- Who owns indirect governance — and do they have authority?
- To what extent is your indirect landscape visible and optimized?
🔹 Theme 9: Leadership Under Pressure — Confidence Without Clarity
Why it matters:
Procurement leaders must steer teams through transformation, performance pressure, and uncertainty — all while being asked to set direction without full visibility.
Insight:
75% of CPOs say they’re under increasing pressure to lead transformation without full strategic clarity.
– GEP Outlook 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What mindset shifts are helping leaders thrive under pressure?
- How can you balance transparency with decisiveness?
- Who supports leadership alignment and calm in your organization?
- To what extent can you lead transformation while managing ambiguity?
🔹 Special Formats to Ensure High Engagement & Real-World Learning
✅ 🔥 Deep-Dive Roundtables: Senior procurement leaders share insights in confidential, interactive discussions.
✅ 🚀 Practical Insights: Real-world experiences—what worked, what didn’t and why.
✅ 🤝 Leadership Workshops: Hands-on training for procurement teams on AI, sustainability and risk management.
✅ 🔍 Peer Benchmarking Sessions: Compare strategies with other procurement leaders in the Nordics.
The annual agenda is continuously updated – changes beyond EBGs control may occur
On-Site Stockholm
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