Following the US’s introduction of 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium in 2025, the construction industry continues to face significant geopolitical change. For UK construction, the consequences of these developments will need to be carefully managed. As the last decade has repeatedly shown through events such as Covid-19 and climate-related disruption, the most effective response to uncertainty is a combination of resilience and agility.
As the sector prepares for this latest shift, the ability to adapt quickly to changing material costs, labour availability, and supply chain uncertainty will be essential. In this environment, construction businesses that can respond quickly and confidently to change will be better positioned to protect margins, maintain delivery schedules, and safeguard reputations.
At Barkers Procurement, they’ve seen that organisations with the greatest resilience tend to have one thing in common: procurement is treated as a strategic function rather than an operational necessity.
At the heart of this challenge sits the procurement function. The function is central to how effectively organisations manage cost, availability, quality, and timing across complex supply chains. As a result, Chief Procurement Officers are uniquely positioned to enable the agility and resilience the industry now requires.
Procurement challenges facing today’s construction supply chains
The backbone of agility in construction is procurement. Procurement leaders sit closest to the supply chain, where volatility is felt most acutely and where responsiveness is most critical.
However, procurement teams operate in highly complex environments. Dependencies, operational constraints, and multiple layers of suppliers can make on-demand purchasing and rapid pivots difficult to achieve.
Materials and labour
Two of the most critical dependencies are materials and labour. In addition to metals, the availability of core materials such as sand and bricks is often uncertain. Global supply chain disruption, transport challenges, and geopolitical pressures all contribute to this instability. At the same time, the labour market remains volatile, with specialist availability and rates varying significantly by region.
Operational challenges
Procurement teams also face daily operational challenges. On-time delivery remains one of the most persistent issues. Delays can carry contractual penalties and disrupt project schedules. Teams must also navigate quality assurance requirements, ensuring materials meet specifications while keeping costs under control. Striking the right balance between cost and quality is essential, as unmanaged issues can damage both project outcomes and organisational credibility.
Supplier networks
Another layer of complexity comes from tiered supplier networks. Procurement routes in construction often involve distributors and intermediaries rather than direct relationships with manufacturers. This means there is rarely a single point of contact, which complicates communication and slows down decision-making. As a result, procurement teams can struggle to pivot quickly when conditions change.
All of these factors place increasing pressure on construction procurement management to deliver agility in an environment that resists it.
A window of opportunity for CPOs
Given the scale of the challenge and the need for businesses to respond to geopolitical shifts, CPOs have a clear opportunity to step up and transform their procurement operations.
The concern is that procurement teams are already stretched. Many leaders feel they do not have the time or resources to take on additional transformation initiatives. Yet stepping into a stronger enabler role would materially improve organisational resilience.
By strengthening their procurement strategy, CPOs can facilitate more seamless supply chains that unlock greater agility. This allows organisations to respond more effectively to disruption, protect profitability, and maintain delivery performance.
Profitability matters in this context because the dependencies and challenges procurement teams face place constant pressure on margins. Tiered supplier networks, material shortages, and labour volatility all contribute to rising costs and delivery delays. These issues also create missed staffing opportunities and lost productivity.
Late deliveries caused by material dependencies or quality concerns can harm project impact, trigger fines, and damage reputations across the construction industry. Against an evolving geopolitical backdrop, these risks are only intensifying.
The time has therefore come for CPOs to create truly connected, end-to-end procurement across the construction supply chain.
Three ways construction procurement teams can become more agile
When executed effectively, procurement leaders can orchestrate critical elements across the supply chain, from managing dependencies and coordinating suppliers to aligning operational variables. Done well, this creates the conditions to impress customers, optimise profits, and pivot quickly when circumstances demand it. There are three practical areas where CPOs can focus their efforts:
1. Integrate procurement into the business
The first step is integration. Procurement must secure a genuine seat at the decision-making table. CPOs play a vital role in integrating material strategies into wider business planning. They can help design processes that enhance both profitability and reputation. When procurement is involved early, it can proactively solve problems rather than reacting to them.
This includes leading sustainability initiatives and supporting decarbonisation processes, both of which increasingly influence material choices and supplier selection. The broader aim is to integrate procurement into the fabric of the business so that it supports the most efficient and commercially sound processes. By doing this, procurement moves from a support function to a strategic partner.
2. Digitise procurement and data
The second priority is digitisation. Fully digitised procurement teams with access to quality data are better equipped to automate processes and communicate effectively with suppliers. Digital procurement tools support improved data tracking, reporting, and transparency, all of which contribute to continuous improvement.
Digitisation also enables better forecasting and planning. With reliable data, procurement teams can anticipate demand, manage inventory more effectively, and respond faster to disruption.
For procurement teams, this digital foundation is essential. Without it, teams remain constrained by fragmented systems, manual processes, and poor visibility across the supply chain.
3. Simplify supplier collaboration
The third focus area is simplification. CPOs must work closely with suppliers to streamline communication and delivery processes. By leveraging spend data, procurement teams can negotiate terms that are mutually beneficial and aligned with operational realities.
Keeping things simple means being specific about business needs, maintaining transparency, and setting clear expectations. This fosters trust and enables better forecasting and planning.
When suppliers and procurement teams operate as partners rather than adversaries, the supply chain becomes more robust. This supports on-time delivery, improves quality assurance, and strengthens the ability to pivot when conditions change.
Building agility through procurement leadership
For construction CPOs, this moment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. When procurement operates as a coherent, end-to-end function, it enables faster decision-making, stronger supplier relationships, and greater resilience.
By strengthening procurement capabilities through integration, digitisation, and supplier collaboration, leaders can unlock the agility their organisations now require – meaning businesses can navigate volatility with confidence and move toward long-term stability.
