52% of procurement teams have already implemented automation, gaining speed and efficiency while their peers face mounting competitive pressure
Keelvar, a global leader in intelligent sourcing solutions, has unveiled its annual CPO survey report, “Sourcing in 2025: AI & Automation Take Center Stage,” shedding light on how procurement teams are leveraging automation to secure a competitive edge. The report highlights that 52% of procurement teams have already adopted automation technologies, significantly improving speed, efficiency, and responsiveness, while those yet to act face growing challenges to remain competitive.
“In 2024, procurement leaders were asking, ‘Is automation feasible?’ By 2025, the focus must shift to, ‘How can we implement it at scale?’ The ability to automate effectively will be the defining success factor for organizations in the years ahead”
The report reveals that 78% of procurement leaders believe the market has become equally or more unpredictable compared to last year. While driving savings remains a top priority, sourcing teams are grappling with internal cost pressures and external challenges like inflation. The findings underscore that AI and automation are no longer optional—they are now essential tools for navigating this complexity and achieving progress.
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“The race has begun, and early adopters of automation are already pulling ahead,” said Alan Holland, founder and CEO of Keelvar.
“In 2024, procurement leaders were asking, ‘Is automation feasible?’ By 2025, the focus must shift to, ‘How can we implement it at scale?’ The ability to automate effectively will be the defining success factor for organizations in the years ahead,” he added.
Keelvar’s report highlights the advantages realized by procurement teams adopting automation:
- 60% reduced time spent on repetitive tasks.
- 56% decreased risk of errors.
- 40% improved responsiveness to market changes.
- 35% freed up resources for strategic initiatives.
The findings also show that procurement leaders see ProcureTech vendors playing a critical role in enabling automation adoption, with 60% identifying budget constraints as the primary barrier. Vendors must provide strong ROI cases to secure buy-in from CFOs and unlock automation’s full potential.
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