P&SC LIVE Dubai Keynote: Procurement Innovation at MTN
Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Dubai brought together industry leaders from many of the biggest businesses in the world.
Attendees were able to enjoy insightful keynotes, fireside chats and panel discussions, during which executives and experts shared valuable knowledge and real-world experiences.
One of the highlights of the 2024 edition saw Dirk Karl, Group Executive and Chief Procurement Officer at MTN, discuss digital transformation in the supply chain.
The journey to data-driven procurement
During his keynote, Dirk explained how MTN embraced data-driven procurement early on by hiring its first data scientist back in 2017, which was part of a steady expansion of this resource.
Internal skills were developed to blend data science with procurement expertise, using technology to enhance strategic sourcing and negotiation capabilities.
Dirk said MTN had been able to achieve a strategic advantage in procurement by focusing on six core areas, including strategic negotiation and cost engineering.
He detailed how MTN's negotiation advisory team, Deal Dynamics, uses data science to create negotiation playbooks that have led to significant results.
Dirk added: “Procurement innovation at MTN is about developing internal skillsets that blend the data science with procurement expertise, combining technology approaches and the data to enhance strategic sourcing and the negotiation capabilities on a daily basis.”
There were also examples of MTN's innovative approaches, such as the supplier governance module and the supplier bid behaviour model. Dirk highlighted the effectiveness of these tools in enhancing negotiation strategies and overall procurement performance.
Furthermore, Dirk shared guiding principles for building a high-performance procurement Centre of Excellence, stressing the importance of a use-case library, digital connectors, effective change management and collaboration with industry peers.
Strategic procurement initiatives
Dirk went on to discuss MTN's in-house development of IT solutions, such as the award-winning PKS 360 platform, which integrates machine learning and procurement to deliver strategic value.
This platform, akin to a Google search engine for procurement, has modules that leverage advanced algorithms to optimise sourcing events and provide real-time insights.
Dirk emphasises the importance of combining technology with procurement practices, showcasing how MTN's in-house data science team has been pivotal in this transformation, which he described as a "significant game changer for MTN"
P&SC LIVE continues to expand
Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE continues to expand its repertoire of events, with more to come in 2024 and 2025. Discover our essential diary dates below.
2024 diary dates:
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London | 24-25 September 2024
- Procurement & Supply Chain Awards | 24 September 2024
- Manufacturing & Mobility LIVE | 6 November 2024
2025 diary dates:
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Singapore | 11 February 2025
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: Scope 3 | 5-6 March 2025
- Manufacturing & Mobility LIVE | 5-6 March 2025
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Dubai | 29 April 2025
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Chicago | 4-5 June 2025
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London | 23-24 September 2025
- Procurement & Supply Chain Awards | 24 September 2025
- Manufacturing & Mobility LIVE Chicago | 4 November 2025
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