Navigating the 2026 Corporate Landscape
Keeping pace with your competitors in 2026 will require your HR, talent acquisition, supply chain and procurement teams to be, above all else, adaptable. That means adaptable to technology, to changing regulations and to their growing strategic role in your business’s operations.
Here are the five key corporate functions trends to look for in 2026 — and how Aston Carter can help you respond.
Trend #1: AI is Impacting All Corporate Functions
Artificial intelligence is helping savvy corporate professionals enhance their workloads and automate repetitive tasks, leaving more time for high-level decision-making.
AI is helping procurement specialists analyze supplier performance, predict risks and automate supplier matching. HR and talent acquisition professionals, meanwhile, are turning to AI to develop job descriptions, screen applicant resumes and target job postings.
The widespread use of AI is impacting HR professionals beyond their own workload as well. They need strong foundations of general AI knowledge in order to effectively assess candidates and hire an AI-ready workforce.
Next Steps
Hire right-fit procurement, HR and talent acquisition professionals who can turn automation into action. Aston Carter delivers talent who can use AI to streamline workflows and improve decision-making while always providing human-centered, strategic oversight.
Trend #2: Skills-focused Hiring is Replacing Degree Requirements
Degree requirements are becoming a thing of the past for many corporate roles. Instead of looking for specific educational backgrounds, companies are prioritizing skills-based hiring practices to find the right talent with the right experience. Between 2022 and 2024, the percentage of employers practicing skills-based hiring rose from 56% to 81%.
Within corporate functions, the most in-demand skills include digital acumen, data-driven decision-making and adaptability.
Next Steps
Don’t overlook right-fit candidates just because they lack a degree. Be open to candidates with alternative credentials who have the skills you need and a proven track record of success. Aston Carter can match you with HR, talent acquisition, supply chain and procurement professionals who have the knowledge and experience to help you grow your business.
Trend #3: A Commitment to Sustainability and Equity Brings Challenges and Opportunities
Sustainability and a commitment to equity and inclusion will need to be top of mind for HR, talent acquisition, supply chain and procurement professionals.
To meet consumer and compliance demands, procurement specialists must continue to prioritize an environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework. This means offering not only sustainable sourcing and ethical labor practices, but transparency into the supply chain.
Professionals responsible for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices will likely continue to find themselves torn between two forces. Although threats of legal action from the federal government have some employers backing away from DEI initiatives, 76% of employees still value DEI in the workplace. HR and talent acquisition professionals will need to balance legal compliance with showcasing inclusivity efforts to attract top talent.
Next Steps
Bring in professionals who balance purpose with performance. Aston Carter sources talent who align operations with ethics, equity and regulation. Our consultants can help you craft an employee value proposition that meets your workforce’s demands for inclusion while staying on the right side of the law. We can also connect you to talent with experience navigating complex and ever-changing regulatory environments.
Trend #4: Reshoring Requires Strategic Local Sourcing
The possibility of tariffs and frequent breakdowns in international supply chains have pushed some manufacturing facilities back to the U.S.
This move requires strategic procurement talent with sourcing experience to identify new, local suppliers and navigate the regional market. HR will need to provide compliance expertise to assist reshoring efforts while working closely with talent acquisition specialists to quickly source top talent to support day-to-day operations.
Next Steps
Strengthen teams involved in supply chain reshoring efforts with regionally savvy talent. Aston Carter can help connect you with local HR, talent acquisition, supply chain and procurement professionals who can optimize sourcing and manage compliance and governance.
Trend #5: Corporate Functions Professionals Are Becoming Strategic Leaders
HR, talent acquisition, supply chain and procurement professionals are increasingly being elevated to strategic partners within their organizations.
For procurement specialists, this means cross-functional collaborations with finance, operations and sustainability teams to inform strategy and create greater value. It will be crucial for talent acquisition specialists to work closely with leadership to understand long-term goals and translate them into a supporting workforce strategy. HR will play a vital role in defining company culture and creating an authentic workplace, supporting long-term retention efforts.
Next Steps
Build teams that break silos and drive shared outcomes. Aston Carter can help you build cross-functional teams that connect insights to larger business strategies.
Build a Stronger Corporate Functions Team with Aston Carter
A strong corporate functions team will be critical to meet the challenges of 2026. Aston Carter can connect you with expert talent in human resources and talent acquisition, as well as supply chain and procurement.
Bringing extensive experience and cutting-edge digital fluency, our consultants can be quickly onboarded to begin tackling challenges from day one. Our flexible, scalable options allow you to ramp up as needed, ensuring you have the right talent in place at the right time.
Contact us today to begin building your 2026 corporate functions team.
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