Lifetime of Achievement: Michael Van Keulen

Michael van Keulen is a leading figure in the world of digital procurement and sourcing and currently serves as Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) at Coupa Software. 

Coupa, one of the world's leading global technology platforms for total spend management, has been the beneficiary of his knowledge ever since he joined in March 2020.

Michael’s reputation means he is widely recognised as a thought leader in the procurement and supply chain management community. He is well-positioned to offer insight on a range of topics, including digital transformation in procurement, the role of AI and ML in spend management and the importance of sustainability and ethical sourcing in the supply chain.

At Coupa, he has been at the heart of transforming how businesses across the globe take control of their spending and procurement processes.

From numbers to procurement

Michael van Keulen, known affectionately as ‘MvK’, has built up a wide range of experience, holding a range of senior leadership positions that have shaped his skillset in procurement and supply chain management. Spanning more than two decades, his career has seen him build a reputation for driving innovation, efficiency and value in procurement functions.

Having been educated in finance accounting, he began his professional career in the finance function at Foot Locker, where he came to recognise the repetitive nature of finance. However, handed an opportunity to deploy e-sourcing at Foot Locker, he realised that “putting your finance brain with your business brain, with your outcome driven brain, is typically what procurement and supply chain is”. 

Michael never looked back and moved forward into the procurement and supply chain space.

A central role in transforming procurement

MvK has served as the CPO of Lululemon Athletica, where he played a central role in transforming the company’s procurement strategy. He was also laser-focused on creating a high-performing procurement team, implementing best-in-class procurement practices and leveraging technology to drive operational efficiency. His time at Lululemon showcased his skills in blending strategic vision with a particular result – which led to cost savings and process improvements.

At Coupa, Michael has become a vital asset when it comes to giving businesses the power to achieve smarter spend management. Michael's vision highlights the paramount importance of people, process and technology – working together to push procurement transformation.

Procurement must adapt to changing world 

Michael is a strong believer in the need for procurement to adapt to the rapidly-changing business environment. He emphasises that agility, innovation and continuous improvement are essential for procurement functions to stay relevant and add value.

As a widely recognised and highly regarded industry leader, Michael is open with his message to professionals building a career in procurement and supply chain management.

"I love this profession,” he says. “I think procurement is the coolest thing on the planet today. And I've been saying this for a long time and I thought where better to evangelise the profession I love than at Coupa.”

His advice for those wanting to assume leadership positions is to be prepared to deal with the inevitable challenges.

"I think the most important thing in my opinion is do not be afraid to get some scars along the way," Michael adds.

The digital revolution

Michael believes that the ongoing digital revolution will remain at the heart of Coupa’s procurement practices over the next five years.

He continues: "When you think about AI, Gen AI, LLM and everything that's going to bring us … I think if you’re in a fairly repetitive tactical function, which includes things like category management and analytics, I think AI is really going to change the game for us.

"How can we truly leverage AI and the capabilities that it brings to us? It really allows us to become that strategic imperative for the companies that we support.”

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