Introduction:
Not using a specialist procurement recruitment agency can lead to several challenges and risks, especially when hiring for critical or senior roles. Here are the main negative effects you might encounter:
Longer Time-to-Hire
- Specialist procurement recruitment agencies have active networks and ready-to-go candidate pools. Without them, your hiring process may take much longer because you’re starting from scratch, relying on job boards and passive applicants.
Lower Quality of Candidates
- Generalist recruiters (or internal hiring teams without procurement expertise) may not understand key procurement skills, such as strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, or category management nuances, leading to weaker candidate shortlists.
Missed Access to Hidden Talent
- Many top procurement professionals are not actively job seeking and only engage through trusted specialist recruiters. You risk missing out on high-calibre passive candidates.
Increased Hiring Risks
- Without specialist vetting, you’re more likely to make a bad hire, which is expensive in terms of lost time, onboarding costs, and potential operational disruptions in procurement processes.
Time Drain on Internal Teams
- Screening large volumes of irrelevant applications wastes your team’s time, especially when internal HR doesn’t have the nuanced understanding of procurement roles.
Market Misalignment
- Specialist recruiters provide real-time market insights including salary benchmarks, candidate expectations, and role positioning. Without them, you risk offering uncompetitive packages or misjudging candidate availability.
Limited Negotiation and Offer Management Support
- Experienced procurement recruitment professionals help close candidates, manage counteroffers, and ensure a smooth transition. Without this support, you may experience more offer rejections or late-stage dropouts.
When it Matters Most to Enlist External Expertise:
- Senior or niche procurement roles (e.g., Head of Procurement, Category Manager – IT, etc)
- Competitive candidate markets
- When internal teams lack procurement hiring expertise
