AI is raising procurement's intellectual entry point.
Sam Achampong, Regional Director for CIPS in the Middle East, joins us to break down the transformation of procurement and supply chain leadership across the region. He explains how AI is raising the bar for procurement talent, why sustainability is becoming the new strategic battlefield, and how Saudi Vision 2030 is rewriting what procurement leadership actually means.
Sam Achampong.
Sam Achampong leads the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) across the Middle East and North Africa, working with procurement teams in both the public and private sector to raise the strategic capability of the function. He has spent his career at the intersection of procurement, policy, and capability development.
Nick Aoun in conversation with
Sam Achampong.
procurement leadership and misconceptions
People all around the world who are looking to move to the UAE or the GCC. What advice could you give to procurement and supply chain professionals who want to move here?
You certainly need to be prepared. If you're looking to move to Dubai or the broader Middle East in procurement/supply chain, it's a great choice. There are really innovative projects going on, which means there are challenging procurement and supply chain solutions you can get involved in. Your expertise from slightly more mature environments will be welcome here, as organizations are looking for the very best talent.
Did you see any cultural changes coming from the UK to the region 17 years ago?
Dubai is an international city, so adapting is not that difficult per se. However, as you move across the wider region, you must take on board that you are in the Middle East, in an Arabic region. You'll be very welcome, but there are nuances. You need to come with a bit of humility and respect to adapt to the existing cultures.
What is the biggest misconception about supply chain leadership, and how do you challenge that?
A common misconception globally is that procurement is a quite transactional function focused on cost-cutting, cost efficiency, and the lowest price. While that is the foundation, procurement is there to add value to an organization.
sustainability & AI
How should procurement leaders respond to today's pressure for sustainability?
Sustainability is fundamental to effective procurement. Leaders need to educate themselves on what sustainability is: not just the environmental side, but also the ability for future generations to sustain themselves. You must consider the three outcomes: the economic, the environmental (not depleting the earth), and the social (not adversely affecting human beings unethically).
How is AI changing what it means to be a leader in procurement at the moment?
Leaders need to use AI for what it's supposed to do: it should release more bandwidth for you to be strategic . It should free you from transactional tasks like data farming, running scenarios, and analysis, allowing you to focus on key areas that add value.
Do you see AI replacing some of those more junior positions in procurement?
AI will take the jobs of people who don't know how to use it. If you are unable to adapt and use technology as an enabler, you are making yourself dispensable. Technology makes us more efficient. What happens is that AI is really raising the intellectual entry point of the profession . Those entry-level transactional tasks, like issuing tender documentation or registering suppliers, can now be done automatically. You don't need fewer people; you need smarter people doing different jobs .
career Advice & Future Predictions
What's one piece of advice that you would give young leaders in procurement or supply chain that almost nobody wants to hear?
There is no shortcut to actually being present and doing the work. You have to be seen, sell your abilities to stakeholders and suppliers, and make those relationships. Even with technology like Zoom and Teams, you can't get away from putting in the time to build and consistently maintain those face-to-face relationships .
What's your prediction for the biggest shift in procurement over the next five years?
There will be an increased adoption of technology; it will just be normalized . This will raise the intellectual entry point of the profession and bring a new organizational chart for procurement, with roles like 'procurement app developer' and 'procurement data analyst.' Secondly, sustainability will become the norm . There will be no such thing as "sustainable procurement" or "digital procurement"; it will just be "procurement" because the optimum way to operate will incorporate those principles.