How CPOs can combine volatility with technology to get ahead in 2026

The 2026 operating environment has shifted: external volatility is no longer episodic—it is structural. Keelvar’s annual survey reveals a procurement landscape where the tolerance for inefficiency has collapsed, and the gap between market change and organizational response is widening.

This report explores the decisive actions being taken by procurement leaders to protect margins and absorb multi-source disruption.

Key findings include:

• Shift in Priorities: 50% of leaders are prioritizing cost avoidance, while 40% name risk mitigation as their top objective for 2026.

• The Technology Advantage: Organizations that have adopted AI and automation are 2-3x better at protecting demand against market shocks than their peers.

• Internal Barriers: Decision-making speed (69%) and demand variability (62%) remain the top internal obstacles hindering procurement goals.

• Maturity Matters: High-maturity teams are shifting focus from reactive firefighting to managing complex, structural supply chain challenges.

As 2026 approaches, the next generation of successful CPOs will be defined by their ability to convert technology adoption into a durable, scalable operating advantage.