SAP & PwC: Make Supply Chain Management a Tier-One Priority
Procurement plays a central role in supply chain management – and its importance is rapidly growing.
Once viewed as a back-office function, procurement and supply chain are now seen as critical drivers of strategic value. Supply chain management has undoubtedly emerged as a tier-one business priority, alongside ERP, finance and HR.
Amid geopolitical instability, fluctuating consumer expectations and regulatory pressures, supply chains are increasing in visibility and prominence.
The current climate showcases the vulnerable underbelly of global supply networks, while highlighting the need for end-to-end resilience and transparency.
Building agility in an uncertain world
Today's supply chain strategies are largely focused on enhancing agility, responsiveness and sustainability. Enterprises are no longer optimising logistics alone, instead redesigning the entire value chain to meet evolving business demands – from product development and planning to manufacturing and delivery.
According to PwC's 2025 Digital Trends in Operations Survey, the vast majority (91%) of operations and supply chain leaders say they'll significantly change supply chain strategies because of US trade policy changes.
Data has become a driving factor here, with more businesses using it for strategic leverage. Platforms like SAP's Business Data Cloud, for example, are unifying supply chain data across systems and processes. This comprehensive approach enables real-time insights and informed decision-making.
PwC and SAP's partnership shows how technology and industry expertise can come together to address complex supply chain challenges, delivering holistic solutions that support clients from strategy through execution.
In a conversation with Sadi Fieldsend, SAP Principal (Partner) at PwC US, Valerie Blatt, SAP’s Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) for SAP Supply Chain Management, discussed how SAP and PwC are partnering to help companies navigate the future of supply chain management.
“Supply chain really is all about data for our customers," said Valerie. "And in that data lies your ability to make decisions that affect not just your planning, but also your manufacturing, how you deliver to your customers – this whole value chain of processes.
"I’m very excited about our Business Data Cloud, which goes across our Business Data Suite and is powered by our AI innovations. This will truly help supply chain leaders, supply chain analysts and everyone in our organisation not only make better decisions, but also be able to clearly understand the outcome – the financial impact, both positive and negative – of the decisions made in the supply chain.”
PwC's strength lies in its ability to guide large, multifaceted organisations through transformation journeys. By integrating SAP technologies like RISE with SAP and ERP platforms, clients gain a connected, data-driven approach to managing their entire supply chain.
The joint capabilities span multiple industries, such as utilities, life sciences and manufacturing, ensuring relevance and scalability for diverse business needs.
Over the last five years, supply chain has become the centre of the universe for a lot of companies
AI: A game-changer for supply chain intelligence
AI, particularly Gen AI, is also becoming a vital tool for the supply chain. It unlocks tools such as demand forecasting, production planning and scenario analysis.
They allow businesses to evaluate financial impacts, improve accuracy and significantly reduce reliance on manual processes. The result is a more intelligent and adaptable supply chain capable of anticipating shifts in demand and supply.
PwC's 2025 Digital Trends in Operations Survey showed that 57% of companies report having fully- or partially-integrated AI into their business functions [beyond the use of stand-alone tools].
The urgency around supply chain innovation is driven by three primary factors:
- Geopolitical disruptions such as trade tensions, pandemics and regulatory volatility.
- Global and consumer trends including demand for speed, sustainability and transparency.
- Strategic compliance with industry-specific and cross-border regulations.
Valerie adds: “All three things combined really make the supply chain at the forefront of transformations for companies because it can be a big cost driver for them if they don't figure those things out. But it also can be – if they do it right – a profit driver for them if they deliver to their customers on time, beat their competition and get that really needed or wanted product on the shelves.
“Over the last five years, supply chain has become the centre of the universe for a lot of companies.”
These converging pressures call for proactive investment in supply chain modernisation. When implemented effectively, a well-optimised supply chain not only reduces cost and risk but also provides a competitive advantage by enabling faster delivery, improved service and sustainable operations.
Organisations looking to innovate in their supply chains should not wait for perfect conditions. Transformation seldom begins with ideal data or flawless infrastructure. The key is to start whether through small-scale automation pilots or wider digital initiatives and refine the approach based on measurable outcomes.
A change-ready mindset is essential. Businesses must view transformation as an ongoing journey, recognising that those who lead will shape the market, whilst those who delay risk falling behind. In today's environment, the evolution of the supply chain is not optional, it is a strategic imperative.
As supply chain complexity increases, success will depend on integrated technology, data intelligence and cross-functional collaboration. Through strategic partnerships and advanced platforms, enterprises can build resilient, agile and future-ready supply chains.
