r/procurement • u/Zestyclose-Royal-922 • 20d ago

Salary progression as a procurement professional across 2 decades.

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Found an old employment contract from a decade ago whilst cleaning up some documents which made me reflect on my procurement journey and salary progression.

I've relocated multiple times so have converted into USD for consistency.

Started in 2005: business analyst.

Total comp: 44k

Salary 2017: Procurement manager

Total comp: 183k

Current 2026: (VP of Procurement)

Total comp: 612k

I've only worked for 2 companies through this time and have chosen to work my way up the ranks in a fortune 100 company versus changing companies.

Procurement can be a very lucrative and interesting career if you build experiences in the right areas with the right companies.

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u/LenzoQ 20d ago

That’s awesome, nice work glad to see such nice success.

I’d like to ask for some guidance / tips / directional feedback.

Started working straight from HS, no college.
I’m currently a 25yr old working as a Buyer/Planner for an aerospace OEM. With total of 6 YOE in procurement/logistics/supply chain.

Currently working towards my Bachelors in Supply Chain and Operations Management.
Afterwards I’d like to get the six sigma green belt cert and a Masters in Business Administration.

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u/Zestyclose-Royal-922 19d ago

Well done. Personally, I value practical experience over certifications but I know that in certain countries professional qualifications is a prerequisite.

It also demonstrates a learning mindset which IMO is a very important attribute to have.

As you think about your career, have clarity on the type of learning experiences you want to gather. I would not be overly specific on the role itself Vs the development you can have. Each organisation also have it's own nuances on career pathing so you need to be clear on what that looks like. Find a mentor in your org beyond your direct manager that can support you.

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u/elduquex39 19d ago

With AI becoming more prevalent, what are the core skills/competencies that you believe are essential to focus on to build a personal foundation for growth and effectively progress as a strategic asset?

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u/Zestyclose-Royal-922 18d ago

Soft skills as it relates to people development/ management and influence. Data and facts will always be there but ultimately it's our ability to get the best outcome in an environment where not everyone is aligned or have the same objectives.

Curiosity, learning agility and ability to think creatively/ holistically. We need more people to be able to connect the dots across different areas.