Consulting trends 2025: The rising demand for procurement talent
At InX, we closely track the evolving dynamics of the consulting industry and the shifting demands this places on talent. We spoke with Diya Badigar, Partner, Supply Chain & Procurement in North America, to discuss the growing demand for procurement expertise — a trend fuelled by firm-wide investments in sourcing, supply chain and digital capabilities across the consulting market.
The consulting industry has seen a wave of investment in procurement and supply chain capabilities through late 2024 and into 2025. Leading firms are expanding through acquisitions, launching new practices and elevating industry procurement specialists into Partner roles — all driven by growing client demand for cost transformation, supply assurance, digital enablement and ESG-aligned procurement strategies. From Big Four players to specialist boutiques, the message is clear: procurement is now a strategic lever, and consulting firms are investing accordingly.
Growth signals
Several major consulting firms have made procurement and supply chain–focused moves in recent months:
Accenture acquired Partners in Performance, a global operations consultancy with strengths in cost reduction and execution-led transformation. It also acquired Camelot Management Consultants, known for its deep expertise in supply chain, logistics and digital value chain design — an acquisition aimed at strengthening Accenture’s broader supply chain and data-driven planning capabilities, which often intersect with procurement transformation programs.
Argon & Co, a Paris-based operations consultancy, acquired German procurement specialist PrexPartners in late 2024. The founding partners of PrexPartners joined Argon & Co as Partners, reinforcing its capabilities in strategic sourcing, cost optimisation and supplier management.
BCG promoted Alex Dolya to Global Leader of its Procurement practice in January 2025. His appointment reflects BCG’s focus on embedding procurement into enterprise-wide transformation agendas across energy, industrial goods, consumer and infrastructure sectors.
L.E.K. Consulting announced that Tim Ogonoski has joined the firm as a Managing Director & Partner to lead the firm’s Healthcare Services Performance Improvement practice, including strategic procurement optimisation for payors, health systems and services providers.
These moves indicate a clear trend: procurement is no longer a support function — it’s a key service line for firms that want to help clients manage risk, drive savings and meet ESG goals.
Industry drivers
Several sectors are fuelling this expansion in procurement-focused consulting:
Private Equity: Procurement has become a central lever in PE-backed value creation plans. Sponsors are pushing cost transformation across their portfolios, often within the first 12–18 months of ownership. Consulting firms are responding with sourcing playbooks tailored for speed, scale and EBITDA impact.
Healthcare: Hospitals, payors and health systems are under pressure to cut costs without compromising quality. Consulting teams are being brought in to improve sourcing across both clinical and non-clinical categories, streamline P2P workflows and implement digital procurement systems.
Consumer goods and retail: As these companies navigate cost inflation and margin pressures, they are turning to consultants for help in resetting supplier strategies, implementing digital procurement platforms and training teams in category management and supplier negotiations.
Infrastructure and energy: Investment in public infrastructure, clean energy and industrial reshoring has triggered a wave of complex procurement needs. Consulting firms are working on sourcing strategies for large-scale capital projects and helping clients localise and de-risk supply bases.
Energy: New U.S. regulations and global emissions policies are fuelling demand for procurement professionals in the energy sector. Recent EPA and PHMSA rules now require operators to procure advanced methane detection equipment and low-emission infrastructure. The Inflation Reduction Act’s domestic content bonus has also forced procurement teams to shift sourcing toward U.S.-based suppliers. In Canada, pending emissions caps are pushing similar sourcing needs. These compliance-driven requirements are creating a surge in demand for procurement experts who can manage vendor shifts, ESG alignment and emissions-reduction technology sourcing. Reflecting this trend, Roland Berger opened a new Houston office in May 2025, strengthening its on-the-ground presence to support clients navigating complex supply chain and compliance needs.
Across these industries, procurement is now viewed not just as a cost control mechanism, but as a means to build agility, ensure continuity and drive ESG performance — all of which require Partner-level guidance.
Strategic capabilities in demand
As procurement consulting matures, clients are demanding more integrated and forward-looking services. In response, firms are doubling down on four core capabilities:
AI and data analytics: Clients want procurement functions that are predictive, not reactive. Accenture and BCG are embedding AI into sourcing diagnostics, vendor performance monitoring and spend forecasting. Procurement Partners are expected to lead data-informed transformations.
Sustainability and ESG: Scope 3 emissions, ethical sourcing and supplier diversity are now core to procurement mandates. Partners like Alex Dolya at BCG bring expertise in integrating ESG into supplier evaluation, reporting and contracting processes.
Digital procurement platforms: Platform expertise is critical. Accenture’s acquisitions of firms including The Shelby Group and Xoomworks have helped it scale Ariba, Coupa and Ivalua implementations. Clients want procurement digitalisation done right — from platform strategy to post-go-live support.
Capability building and change management: Many engagements now include upskilling internal procurement teams, redesigning operating models and embedding category management best practices. The most in-demand Partners aren’t just functional experts — they’re business leaders who can align sourcing with company strategy.
Closing thoughts: Procurement is a priority
Between late 2024 and mid-2025, consulting firms have made it clear: procurement is a priority. Whether through acquisitions, new leadership roles or expanded digital offerings, the industry is investing heavily in sourcing and supply chain.
For clients, this means greater access to specialised advisory talent. For senior procurement professionals, it’s an unprecedented opportunity to step into strategic, high-impact roles — especially at the Partner level.
Procurement has officially arrived as a growth engine in consulting, and the firms leading this wave are those helping clients source smarter, faster and more sustainably.
If you're open to exploring Partner-level opportunities in the procurement space, feel free to reach out. Learn more about InX’s North America strategy and consulting team and how they can help you.