How Coupa is Transforming Vale's Procurement
Vale is celebrating going live with the Coupa platform. The implementation of Coupa is the result of a significant transformation project that began in 2024. It marks the beginning of a new phase within the Brazilian multinational metals and mining firm.
Both parties have expressed their confidence that the move will bring significant results and evolution, underpinning their commitment to achieving even greater successes together.
Pioneering procurement innovation through technology
In 2024, Vale announced the start of this innovative project, focused on redesigning its purchasing processes through new technologies and the simplification of processes.
The change is part of the Supply Transformation Global Programme. A solutions architecture will be implemented for greater digitalisation of procurement, in which the Coupa platform (a procurement platform based on artificial intelligence) will be the backbone.
It will be connected to market intelligence applications (Beroe), spend analytics (Sievo), supplier management (Linkana) and materials and services (CH Master).
Vale seeks to enhance its volume of autonomous purchases by using modern technologies such as AI and machine learning, leading the company to a new level of efficiency.
The integration of big data and market information will enable a more dynamic and innovative strategy, connected to business needs and allowing buyers to deepen relationships with internal areas and partners.
Streamlining operations with integrated systems
Annual numbers demonstrate the magnitude of such transformations: purchases of around US$14bn, 8,000 active suppliers and 660,000 orders.
The project is replacing more than 20 systems that are currently being used by Coupa's integrated and intelligent platform, making processes simpler and faster: a revolution in the purchasing experience for employees and suppliers.
In addition, aligned with Vale's principle of integrity, more than 90 controls will be automated, boosting process governance.
The project also seeks to strengthen Vale's responsible purchasing agenda, further and systematically incorporating ESG practices into decision-making.
When this programme was launched in 2024, Chief Procurement Officer at Vale, Marco Braga, said: "The partners are also part of the transformation. For Vale, collaborative work and active listening through genuine partnerships are fundamental for joint growth and evolution."
Creating a sustainable procurement future
The Supply Transformation Global Programme is part of Vale's commitment to sustainable and strategic growth.
Last August, the company outlined a vision to enhance Vale's competitive advantage and improve results by changing the way procurement operates, with the implementation of new technologies and process simplification being more strategic, efficient and innovative for buyers, requesters and suppliers.
The programme consists of a transformation journey to encompass the implementation of the Coupa Platform, mainly replacing the current Supplier Portal (Nimbi) where quotation requests, receipts and acceptance of purchase orders, and creation of material collection requests are made.
- Improve the overall purchasing experience for requesters, buyers and suppliers;
- Make the purchasing process simpler, agile and transparent;
- Suppliers will have access to an integrated platform (Coupa) as the main relationship channel with Vale, improving the visibility of negotiations, orders, registration flow and communication through collaborative rooms.
This change will only apply to Vale S.A. (Ferrous Metals). For those who supply for Vale Base Metals, the process will continue to be carried out through the Supplier Portal (Nimbi).
Sharing news of Coupa going live on its LinkedIn page, the company said: "The implementation of Coupa marks the beginning of a new phase within Vale and we are confident that it will bring significant results and transformations.
"This is just the start of a successful journey and we look forward to continuing to support Vale in its future achievements, always counting on our partners Accenture & Procurement Garage.
"We deeply appreciate everyone involved and remain committed to achieving even greater successes together."
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