10 Procurement Job Roles Most Impacted by AI (2025 to 2035 Projections)

Over the past two years it has become clear that artificial intelligence is going to have a massive impact on the workplace. While it is not likely to replace most job roles, it is likely to impact 100% of jobs in white-collar functions like procurement.

Key takeaways:

• 30% of organizations could face headcount decreases because of AI, as AI starts to take greater role in enterprise business operations.
• Procurement teams are under pressure to do "more with less" over the next 12 months as they face a 9% efficiency gap between growing workloads and limited budgets.
• It's likely all procurement roles will be impacted by AI, with 94% of procurement executives already using solutions like ChatGPT.

At Suplari, we've been at the forefront of AI development in procurement since 2018. This study reflects our first-hand experience working with 100+ enterprise businesses.

Setting the scene for AI in the enteprise

Enterprise AI adoption has surged since 2023, with 88% of companies now using AI in at least one business function, according to McKinsey’s 2025 global survey. Yet only 32% have scaled AI across the enterprise, underscoring that most are still in the early stages of transformation. In procurement and supply chain functions specifically, the use of AI agents remains mostly in pilot phases.

AI will likely reduce overall procurement headcount

Even so, the workforce impact is starting to materialize. A growing share of executives expect AI to reshape staffing: 30% foresee workforce reductions in functions like strategy, supply chain, and IT in the next 12 months—up from 17% last year. High-performing companies are leaning in by redesigning workflows and embedding AI into daily decision-making. These leaders are 3× more likely to report C-suite engagement and 2.8× more likely to have restructured work around AI.

Enteprise seek to automate more manual procurement tasks

Meanwhile, The Hackett Group’s 2025 procurement study found that procurement teams face a 9% “efficiency gap” in 2025 as workloads grow 10% but budgets rise just 1%. To close that gap, 64% of procurement leaders expect AI to transform their roles within five years—and 42% are already investing in generative AI tools to accelerate the shift. How much of procurement work could be taken over by AI? KPMG simulations estimate AI could automate 50–80% of current procurement tasks.

Strategic roles are likely to be more productive

While the net impact of AI is likely to reduce total headcount, the majority of procurement roles may benefit from it, leading to strategic career progression and increased value. According to the Economist Impact research, 69 percent of organizations with US$500m or more in annual revenue say that AI tools help procurement professionals do their jobs better.

Procurement’s enthusiasm for generative AI

Recent research by AI at Wharton uncovered a remarkable statistic - the Procurement (or Purchasing) department has taken the lead as the most active adopers of generative AI tools and technology in the workplace, with 94% of procurement executives using Gen AI tools at least once a week.  

This number is perhaps not that surprising, given that there are many aspects of procurement department jobs that can be assisted by tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Co-Pilot. The same AI at Wharton study gives us an idea of the most common use cases for Gen AI in procurement. Many of these tasks such as proposal editing, data analysis and documentation summarization are day-to-day activities of a procurement professional. 

AI is not only going to be used as a tool. Recent projections suggest that nearly a quarter of all jobs will change by 2027 due to AI and other forces​, with administrative roles declining fastest as AI automates repetitive work. Let’s look more closely what this could mean for Procurement.

How AI will impact Procurement jobs over the next decade

Below is an analysis of the top 10 procurement-related roles most likely to see reductions in total employment from AI-driven automation, digital transformation, machine learning, and business model shifts by 2035, along with an estimated probability of replacement or reduction and an explanation of the impact. For the 2025 to 2035 projections, we’ve used OpenAI’s Deep Research rapid data synthesis agent.

1. Procurement Clerk (Procure-to-Pay Clerk) - 95% (Very High) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Clerical duties like creating purchase orders, verifying records, and data entry are highly automatable. AI-powered procurement systems can automatically generate POs and process invoices, eliminating much of the manual workload​. The BLS already projects a decline in procurement clerk jobs due to technology​ bls.gov. By 2035, e-procurement platforms and bots could handle most transactional procurement tasks, putting this role at extreme risk of redundancy.
2. Inventory/Stock Clerk (Material Recording Clerk) - 90% (Very High) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Tracking inventory levels, reordering stock, and keeping records can be done by AI-driven systems and IoT sensors. Automated inventory management and warehouse robotics are reducing the need for human stock clerks​. As companies digitize supply chains, material-recording and stock-keeping clerks are among the top declining job categories globally. In the U.S., automation in warehouses and stores is expected to continue eroding these positions.
3. Production, Planning & Expediting Clerk - 85% (Very High) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Coordinating the flow of materials and expediting orders is increasingly handled by AI planning tools. Machine learning can predict production needs and automatically schedule or expedite orders. These clerks, who communicate between procurement and production, face high automation potential (estimated ~88% automation risk in one study​). By 2035, intelligent supply chain management systems could perform much of the expediting and status-tracking work, significantly reducing demand for this role.
4. Purchasing Agents (Except Retail/Farm) - 70% (High) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Purchasing agents who buy raw materials, MRO supplies, or services for organizations will be aided or replaced by AI in many tasks. Digital procurement platforms can automatically solicit quotes, compare suppliers, and even negotiate routine purchases. AI bots can handle supplier queries and reorders based on defined criteria. While human judgment is needed for complex negotiations, fewer agents may be needed overall. BLS data show ~524,000 buyers/purchasing agents in 2023​, with moderate growth expected, but this may overestimate demand if AI adoption accelerates. By 2035, routine procurement transactions may be largely autonomous, putting this role at high risk of reduction.
5. Wholesale and Retail Buyers (Merchandise Buyers) - 60% (High) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Retail and wholesale buyers decide which products to stock for resale. AI can analyze sales trends and consumer data far faster, optimizing assortments and reorders. For staple products, algorithmic buying systems already automate replenishment. By 2035, machine learning could handle demand forecasting and supplier selection for many product categories, reducing the need for human buyers for routine decisions. However, buyers add value through trend-spotting and vendor relationships, so they may not be fully eliminated. We estimate a moderate-high risk as many positions could shrink, even as the remaining roles focus on strategic merchandising decisions​.
6. Contract Specialist/Administrator - 50% (Moderate) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Procurement contract specialists draft and review supplier contracts. AI document analysis tools can already review contracts for key terms, compliance, and risks. By automating contract generation and analysis, one contract manager can handle far more agreements​. This means fewer people may be needed in contract administration. While final negotiations and complex legal judgments still require humans, the role is likely to be significantly streamlined by 2035. AI may flag exceptions and suggest edits, allowing organizations to manage contracts with leaner teams.
7. Procurement Analyst (Spend/Data Analyst) - 60% (High) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Analysts who crunch procurement data (spend analytics, cost savings, vendor performance) will see their core tasks augmented or replaced by AI. Machine learning can quickly find patterns in spend data and identify savings opportunities that would take a human much longer​. By 2035, advanced analytics platforms such as Suplari will handle much of the data mining and report generation. This could reduce the number of dedicated analysts needed. Those in this role will need to focus on interpreting AI-driven insights and guiding strategy, rather than manual data work.
8. Materials Planner (Inventory/Materials Manager) - 65% (High) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Materials planners determine what to buy and when, to support production or operations. AI forecasting algorithms are rapidly improving in demand planning and can auto-generate procurement plans (MRP systems with AI). By automating inventory optimization – factoring lead times, demand variability, and cost – AI can minimize stockouts and excess with less human intervention. Planners today manage exceptions and supplier issues, but by 2035, many routine planning decisions (e.g. trigger reorder at optimal time/quantity) could be fully automated. Fewer planners will be needed, and their role will shift to oversight of the planning system and handling unusual cases.
9. Sourcing Specialist (Supplier Sourcing/Category Specialist) - 40% (Moderate) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Sourcing specialists research and qualify new suppliers and manage RFQs/RFPs. AI tools can expedite supplier discovery by crawling global supplier data and using natural language processing to evaluate supplier profiles and even initial proposals. Some companies already use AI to score supplier bids and risk profiles. This will streamline the sourcing process and could reduce headcount in tactical sourcing. However, relationship-building, final negotiations, and strategic decisions in sourcing still need humans. By 2035, the role will likely be transformed: fewer specialists managing more sourcing events with AI support, rather than a full-scale elimination.
10. Category Manager (Strategic Procurement Manager) - 30% (Moderate/Low) estimated chance of role being reduced by AI. Category managers oversee procurement for a specific category of spend (e.g. IT, travel, raw materials) and drive strategy and supplier relationships. AI will augment this strategic role by providing data-driven insights (market trends, supplier innovations, risk alerts)​. One manager, armed with AI, could cover a broader category scope, potentially reducing the number of managers needed. That said, the core of this role – strategy, supplier development, and cross-functional collaboration – remains human-centric. We anticipate transformation rather than replacement: the role’s focus will shift to leveraging AI insights for decision-making. The probability of outright job loss is low, but the role will evolve to be far more data-driven and efficient.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections​ bls.gov; World Economic Forum Future of Jobs 2025 outlook; industry analyses on AI in procurement​.

Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) – Outlook in the AI Era

Role Disruption Likelihood: Low (≈10% chance of role elimination, but ~100% chance of role transformation). 

The Chief Procurement Officer role is unlikely to be replaced by AI; instead, it will be profoundly reshaped by it. CPOs will transition from a traditional focus on cost control and sourcing oversight to a more strategic, digitally-enabled leadership role. In fact, 90% of procurement leaders (CPOs) are already exploring or using AI agents to optimize procurement operations​. This indicates that CPOs are not waiting to be disrupted – they are leading the adoption of AI in procurement. According to the Hackett Group, 64% of procurement leaders expect AI and Gen AI to transform their roles within five years.

Moving toward 2035, the CPO’s strategic function will evolve in several ways:

In summary, the CPO will not be made obsolete by AI – they will be empowered by it. The likelihood of the CPO position being completely displaced is very low. Instead, CPOs who harness AI will amplify their impact, while those who do not adapt may find their roles diminished. By 2035, a successful CPO will be defined by their ability to integrate intelligent systems into procurement strategy, drive innovation, and deliver business outcomes in partnership with AI. The role will be characterized by strategic leadership augmented by AI – a transformation that secures the CPO’s relevance in the era of digital procurement.

How AI will reshape procurement jobs by 2035

Artificial intelligence is already making waves in procurement, but the next 10 years will bring deeper transformation that will redefine how work gets done across the field. By 2035, AI won’t just assist procurement professionals — it will automate many tasks entirely, especially those that are routine, transactional, or data-heavy.

Here are the big takeaways on what’s coming:

• Clerical and transactional roles are at extreme risk. Positions like procurement clerks, inventory clerks, and production planning assistants face up to 90–95% likelihood of job reduction. These roles are heavy on repetitive tasks that AI can easily automate, such as purchase order creation, invoice processing, and inventory tracking.
  
• Mid-level tactical roles will shrink and shift. Purchasing agents, contract administrators, and analysts will see their duties transformed by AI. While they won’t be eliminated outright, many of their current responsibilities — like sourcing comparisons, contract review, and spend analysis — will be handled more efficiently by machines. Fewer people will be needed to do more, and the focus will shift to managing exceptions and leveraging AI insights.
  
• Strategic and relationship-based roles will evolve. Sourcing specialists, category managers, and materials planners will still be needed, but their work will be augmented by intelligent tools. AI will handle data and routine analysis, allowing these professionals to focus on strategy, supplier partnerships, and innovation. These roles will require new digital and analytical skills to remain relevant.
  
• The CPO role will be redefined, not replaced. Chief Procurement Officers won’t be automated out of a job — they’ll be empowered to lead AI-driven transformation. Their role will shift toward orchestrating digital procurement strategies, managing leaner teams, and driving enterprise value through smarter decision-making. AI will give them greater spend visibility, speed, and control across supply chains.
  
• Expect leaner teams, faster cycles, and new skills. As AI takes over operational tasks, procurement organizations will become more agile and data-driven. Roles will consolidate, but those that remain will require a blend of strategic thinking, tech fluency, and the ability to work alongside intelligent systems.
  

Bottom line on procurement jobs impacted by AI

The future of procurement is not about replacing people with AI — it’s about replacing outdated processes and augmenting human roles with smarter, faster tools. For procurement professionals, this is a critical moment to upskill, rethink value creation, and embrace AI as a partner in transformation.

To see how you can equip your team for autonomous procurement in the age of AI, book a demo with Suplari today.

About Suplari

Suplari is a procurement intelligence solution that helps businesses modernize procurement operations using AI. Suplari provides actionable intelligence to manage suppliers, deliver savings and manage compliance beyond the limits of traditional spend analytics. Suplari’s unique AI data management foundation empowers enterprise businesses to modernize procurement operating models with reliable, AI-ready data.

FAQs on AI's impact on procurement jobs

How can procurement teams adapt to AI-driven workforce changes?

With procurement workloads projected to increase by 10% in 2025 while budgets grow just 1%, creating a 9% efficiency gap that procurement teams need to cover with smart use of technology. Suplari's AI Procurement Agent automates routine data analysis and report generation. This frees procurement professionals from manual tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic activities like supplier relationship management and negotiations that AI cannot replace.

How can you improve the AI expertise in a procurement team?

According to Langleysearch, an estimated 60% of procurement roles now require some level of AI expertise. Suplari provides an intuitive natural language interface that allows procurement professionals to ask questions and receive insights from advanced generative AI without technical training. By working alongside Suplari's AI agent daily, teams naturally develop digital literacy and learn to interpret AI-driven insights for strategic decision-making.

How can you prove the impact of AI initiatives in procurement?

64% of procurement leaders expect AI to fundamentally transform their roles within five years, requiring new ways to prove impact. Suplari's Agile Performance Management module tracks savings realization, supplier performance, and category-specific outcomes in real-time. This enables CPOs to quantify their team's strategic contributions and justify continued investment in AI-augmented procurement capabilities.