The CIPS/Hays Procurement Salary Guide and Insight Report 2016 benchmarks different roles and profiles, and offers insights into career paths in procurement and supply management for permanent and interim contacts. Responses were received from the UK, Australia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Various levels of seniority completed the survey including advanced professionals (such as procurement director), managerial (senior buyer), operational (procurement specialist) and tactical (assistant buyer).

The survey found that 70% of respondents agreed that procurement is valued amongst Australian organisations and 75% said that perception of the profession had improved over the last 12 months.

There was also an increased demand from employers in Australia seeking qualified professionals. Minority groups were also more integrated into supply chains, especially indigenous groups, with public agencies incorporating diversity policies, following the lead of the private sector.

Hays Procurement director Nickey Taberner said: “The rising salaries shown by this year’s survey reveal the premium employers are prepared to pay for the best procurement professionals.

“It’s a competitive market, with demand outstripping supply of candidates, and employers are having to work hard to adapt their recruitment strategy and employee offering to attract and retain employees.

“Those employers who can embrace change and develop new hiring strategies will have the edge in what will remain a highly competitive market.”