CEOs and tech execs need the chief procurement officer (CPO) and the procurement function to support corporate efforts to contain costs. Procurement functions often focus on negotiating suppliers’ contracts or executing requests for information, proposal, and quote. However, these tasks relegate procurement to a back-office function focused on tactical, reactive, and transactional work. Forward-thinking CEOs can leverage procurement as a value generator that enables growth by hiring a strategically focused CPO. Read this role profile to understand the skills, capabilities, and responsibilities you should look for in your CPO.