The Importance of Integrity in Procurement: Why Ethics Should Take Precedence Over Experience in Hiring

In the procurement field, the responsibilities are significant. Procurement professionals handle substantial budgets, make critical purchasing decisions, and foster supplier relationships that can profoundly impact a company's success. While experience is often prioritized in hiring decisions, it should never overshadow the importance of integrity. Before bringing a seasoned procurement professional on board, it's crucial to conduct a thorough reference check focusing on their ethics and values. While skills can be acquired, integrity is an inherent quality—forming the foundation of trust, transparency, and sustained success.

Imagine the damage a procurement professional with compromised integrity could cause. They might engage in unethical practices such as accepting bribes from suppliers, manipulating contracts for personal benefit, or making decisions that prioritize their own interests over the company's. Such actions can lead to financial losses, damage the organization's reputation, and result in legal consequences. The trust placed in procurement professionals is immense, and any violation of that trust can have severe repercussions.

One of the strongest arguments for prioritizing integrity over experience is that while skills can be taught, values are deeply rooted. A candidate with less experience but a strong ethical foundation can learn the technical aspects of procurement, such as contract management, negotiation, and supplier relationship management. With the right training and support, they can quickly develop these competencies. Conversely, a lack of integrity is difficult to correct, even with extensive training. Ethics and values are core elements of a person’s character, shaped by their upbringing, experiences, and beliefs. These qualities cannot easily be instilled through professional development programs. Therefore, when hiring a procurement professional, a company is essentially investing in the individual's character as much as their skills.

Given the critical role of integrity in procurement, it is essential for organizations to conduct thorough reference checks before making a hiring decision. This process should extend beyond standard questions about job performance and technical abilities. Employers should seek to understand the candidate's ethical behavior, decision-making processes, and interactions with colleagues, suppliers, and other stakeholders.