How to Position Yourself for Career Success in a Competitive Procurement Market

You’re experienced. You’ve worked hard. You know you have more to offer.

But right now, things aren’t moving the way you hoped. You might be applying for roles but not hearing back. You might be waiting for something to shift internally but nothing’s changing. Or you’re keeping one eye on job boards without any real traction.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. One of the biggest reasons procurement professionals struggle to move forward, especially mid to senior level, is not because they aren’t capable. It’s because they’re not clearly and confidently positioning themselves for success.

In today’s market, where competition is high and visibility matters more than ever, doing great work quietly is no longer enough.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on and how you can shift from invisible or reactive to visible, intentional and confident in your next step.

The Cost of Not Positioning Yourself Clearly

Most of my clients are doing a lot. But they’re not always doing the right things to move forward.

You might be:

• Applying for lots of roles but hearing nothing back
• Scrolling job boards and tweaking your CV again and again
• Waiting for your network to reach out or something to “land”
• Telling yourself “It’s just a tough market right now”
• Quietly hoping someone sees your potential without you having to say it

On the surface, it looks like effort. But under the surface, something else is going on:

• Fear of self-promotion or coming across as arrogant
• Uncertainty about what to say or how to describe yourself
• Worry about being judged by your network or peers
• Or simply not making time for the proactive work that actually gets results

It’s not your fault. But it is your responsibility.

Staying under the radar might feel safer, but it’s silently costing you. In missed opportunities. In confidence. In momentum.

What Positioning Really Means (And Why It Matters Now)

Positioning is how you shape the way others see you. It’s what opens doors and determines whether people think of you for the right opportunities.

It shows up in:

• How clear your LinkedIn profile is
• How you describe yourself in conversations
• Whether people know what you're looking for and why you’d be great at it
• How confident you feel when someone asks, “So what are you looking for next?”

And here’s the thing. Many of the best roles in procurement never make it to a job board. They’re filled through networks, referrals, internal conversations and reputation.

That’s why visibility and clarity matter so much. Not just when you’re applying but well before that. Especially if you’re exploring what’s next or getting ready to make a move soon.

Signs You’re Not Positioned Effectively Yet

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. But you could be missing out on career-shaping opportunities:

• You avoid updating your LinkedIn because you don’t know what to say
• You haven’t had a meaningful career conversation with your network in months
• You feel uncomfortable talking about your achievements
• You’re not sure what makes you different from other procurement professionals at your level
• You keep your profile or CV vague “just in case” something different comes along

These are all signs that you’re not positioning yourself with intention.

In a competitive procurement market, vague doesn’t stand out.

How to Start Positioning Yourself for Success

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. But small, strategic shifts can change how others see you and how you see yourself.

Here’s where I guide my clients to begin:

1. Know Where You’re Headed

You can’t position yourself effectively if you’re unclear on your direction.
Define what career success looks like for you now. What kind of role, environment, culture or challenge are you seeking?

Without this clarity, you’re not only hard to spot, you’re hard to help.

2. Get Clear on Your Message

Once you know what you’re aiming for, you need to shape a message that reflects it.
That means identifying your strengths, your value and your differentiators, and articulating them with confidence.

Your CV, LinkedIn profile and conversations should all reflect a consistent, clear message that shows where you’re going next and why.

3. Showcase Your Unique Value

You don’t need to shout. But you do need to show up.

That might look like:

• Updating your LinkedIn headline to reflect your target role
• Sharing a post about a recent success or insight
• Reconnecting with someone in your network to let them know what you’re exploring
• Practising how to tell your story in a way that feels authentic and aligned

This is where so many procurement professionals hold back. But the truth is, visibility creates opportunity.

When you own your story and show up consistently, people remember you. And when the right role comes up, often one that isn’t advertised, you’re front of mind.

The Real Impact of Positioning Well

When you do this work, here’s what shifts:

Practically:

• More conversations
• More traction in your job search
• Better alignment between roles and what you actually want
• More referrals or warm intros
• Greater clarity in interviews

Emotionally:

• Greater confidence and self-belief
• A stronger sense of agency
• Less frustration, more direction
• That “I’m finally doing something that works” feeling

This is what creates momentum. And it’s what opens the door to not just any job, but the right one.

Ready to Position Yourself for Success?

You don’t have to stay stuck or guess your way through this.

If you’re ready to start showing up with more clarity and confidence, whether you’re actively job searching or getting future-ready, let’s talk.

Book your free Career Momentum Call to explore how we can work together.

Both the Signature and Gold Programmes include powerful support to help you build visibility, shape your story and stand out in a competitive market. See Ways to Work Together

If you're not ready to work together yet, feel free to download a free copy of my Proven Procurement CV Checklist to take a confident first step.

Success doesn’t find you by accident.
It finds you when you make yourself findable.