How to Take A Strategic Approach to Procurement Career Growth

In a recent episode of Procurement Reimagined, procurement expert Karthik Rama, CEO and Consultant at Procurement Doctors shared invaluable advice received from a mentor that profoundly shaped his career path:

"Think about growing in breadth, not in length."

This guidance highlights a key principle for sustainable professional development in procurement.

The Attrition Challenge

Karthik explained how attrition was a substantial issue, especially noticeable in regions like India, where professionals frequently change roles. Reflecting on this issue, he stated,

"Back in the day, India still has a big attrition problem. People don't stick along for a long time."

Experiencing the repercussions firsthand as an entrepreneur managing his own team, Karthik deeply understood the instability caused by frequent job hopping.

The Wisdom of the Tree Analogy

Karthik’s mentor illustrated career growth using a powerful tree analogy:

"First grow in breadth, make your trunk thick enough so that you can grow in length. Get that proper trunk out for the tree, and then you will grow straight up. No matter whether you like it or not, you have to grow. That’s the natural progression."

This analogy emphasises the importance of establishing a robust foundational skill set and domain expertise before advancing upwards into leadership roles.

Building breadth in procurement, gaining varied experience across categories and strategic functions, creates a strong, resilient base for future advancement.

From Tactical to Strategic

Initially focused on tactical, transactional roles, Karthik noted that this advice led him to expand into broader strategic categories like environmental services and professional services.

He shared, "That's when I started doing the environmental services, professional services, and all that. Before that, it was very transactional, tactical stuff."

This shift from narrow tactical roles to broader, strategic responsibilities significantly enriched Karthik’s professional journey, making his career more dynamic and impactful.

The Impact of Strategic Breadth

Karthik recounted how his mentor’s advice profoundly impacted his professional trajectory, stating, "This guy pushed me into this more strategic, more fun work."

The strategic breadth not only increased his value within procurement but also boosted his professional satisfaction and growth opportunities.

Key Insights for Procurement Professionals

• Prioritise breadth: Build extensive expertise across multiple categories and roles.
• Strengthen foundations: Cultivate deep, versatile skills to support sustainable career progression.
• Strategic transitions: Move deliberately from tactical tasks to roles involving strategic decision-making and wider organisational impact.

Conclusion

Adopting this principle of growing in breadth before height is critical for sustained career success in procurement.

It encourages professionals to establish comprehensive, resilient skill sets that support robust career growth, positioning them effectively for leadership and strategic roles in the future.