The Vital Role of Women in Procurement

Women continue to reshape procurement and supply chain management.

More women are rising to levels of seniority, as their impressive careers and resilience in the face of obstacles shape them into the leaders they are today. 

These trailblazers are driving change, fostering inclusive workplace cultures and creating pathways for the next generation of women professionals.

At Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE London, leaders from Mace Group, Parkdean Resorts, SAP and LRQA will take part in a panel which will explore practical strategies for career advancement, the business case for gender diversity and emerging opportunities that position women at the forefront of procurement and supply chain innovation.

To secure your tickets and hear from these procurement leaders, click here. 

The reality behind the progress

While a lot of progress has been made, it is still important to show there is still work to do.

Earlier in 2025, Procurious, the world's first and leading online business network dedicated to procurement and supply chain professionals, shows there is still a disconnect between appearance and experience when it comes to equality for women working as procurement professionals.

The 2025 BRAVO Women in Procurement & Supply Chain Report, "The Illusion of Inclusion," reveals a stark disconnect between progress and reality in workplace equity. Released June 10, this comprehensive study by Procurious captured insights from 185 procurement and supply chain professionals, with women comprising 154 of the respondents.

52% of the women expressed that gender equity was being embraced by their workplace, yet 66% are still experiencing a form of gender-based bias in 2025. These range from being overlooked in meetings to being paid less than male peers.

There is also the 29% of women who are being paid less than their male counterparts and 42% of companies lack a strategy when it comes to gender equity.

While 30% of women say their companies are making a meaningful effort to address gender bias–but 31% highlighted that a lack of advancement was the number one reason to leave procurement.

Women leading procurement innovation

Strides are being made, and more and more, women are rising through the ranks. Take for example, Theano Liakopoulou, a Senior Partner at McKinsey and Company.

She spoke to Procurement Magazine earlier this year about how she is spearheading efforts to 'rewire' procurement, using data, analytics and AI to push the function beyond its traditional limits.

She believes technology isn't just an enabler but a game-changer, capable of uncovering value in ways businesses haven't even imagined. Her focus is on turning complex challenges into practical, high-impact solutions while inspiring leaders to embrace the possibilities ahead.

When asked what do you think the future looks like for women in the procurement space, she said: "McKinsey research, which is the basis for the book 'The Broken Rung' recently published by three of my senior partner colleagues, suggests that in general 50% of women's career success depends on their education, and the other 50% on the development opportunities they receive in the workplace and the 'experience capital' they build.

"Given the role that the procurement function has in most organisations, procurement professionals get a 360-degree view of the company and its value chain, and get exposed to a range of topics that are core to the business. As such, the procurement function provides unique opportunities for all professionals, including women, to build valuable 'experience capital' from early stages in their career.

"I am convinced that the procurement function is a great stepping-stone for women in the corporate environment. I want to believe that procurement will be one of the first domains where we will achieve gender parity in the not-so-distant future."

Building the next generation: Continuous action required

Earlier this year in Chicago, Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE, the message was clear during the Women in Procurement panel – advancing women in procurement requires continuous and deliberate action.

"We must ensure we're elevating the leadership profile of women," said Kimberly Green Reynolds, Chief Procurement Officer at Coca-Cola Bottlers'​ Sales and Services.

Structural change, active sponsorship and inclusive leadership are all critical factors in ensuring women's voices are heard, their talent is recognised and the next generation doesn't face the same challenges.

"It's about building credibility because it's not given to you," said Nancy Tiran, Global Head of Commercial Procurement at AstraZeneca. "It takes a village. Be the person in the room that looks for inclusion, anyone can do that."

Now in London, attendees can hear from:

• Jade Marjurum, Operations Director for Procurement at Mace Group
• Amey Fairbrother, Head of Procurement for Accommodation and Central at Parkdean Resorts
• Vicky Revis, Head of SAP Fieldglass, EMEA at SAP
• Kate Lovejoy-Dewey, Director of Procurement at LRQA

Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE London 2025

The premier gathering for procurement and supply chain excellence returns to London's Business Design Centre for the 2025 Global Summit. This flagship event transforms the way industry leaders connect, learn and drive innovation across their organisations.

Join the world's most influential procurement and supply chain professionals for an immersive experience that combines strategic insights with practical solutions. Our carefully curated programme features visionary keynote speakers, interactive panel discussions and hands-on workshops designed to tackle today's most pressing industry challenges.

Explore cutting-edge topics that are reshaping the future of business: supply chain transformation, next-generation procurement technologies, sustainability and ESG initiatives, artificial intelligence applications, financial optimisation, logistics innovation and strategic supplier relationship management.

More than just a conference, this summit is where breakthrough ideas meet actionable strategies, where global networks expand and where the future of procurement and supply chain management takes shape.

To secure your tickets, click here.