Emirates NBD Wins Procurement Transformation at P&SC Awards

Emirates NBD has won the Procurement Transformation Award at The Global Procurement & Supply Chain Awards 2024. 

"This award is very special to me. New challenges, new people, new cultural nuisances, being a woman leader, coming into that cultural environment it's a challenge to bring real change, and transforming the company is very close to my heart," said Nita Nair, Head of Procurement at Emirates NBD.

Emirates NBD, a leading financial institution in the GCC region, has undergone a remarkable procurement transformation as part of its aggressive expansion into Saudi Arabia.

This strategic overhaul, spearheaded by Nita Nair, has repositioned procurement from a tactical processing unit to a strategic powerhouse, driving significant value for the organisation.

The transformation journey faced unique challenges, including cultural nuances, regulatory alignment, and the unprecedented disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these hurdles, the procurement team achieved impressive results, including a 15% reduction in baseline spend over two years and a streamlined procurement cycle with purchase orders now issued within three business days.

Key to this success was the implementation of advanced technologies and data-driven decision-making.

The team integrated AI for predictive analytics and strategic sourcing, implemented a comprehensive Procure-to-Pay system and utilised Robotic Process Automation for routine tasks. These innovations not only enhanced efficiency but also provided real-time insights for more informed decision-making.

The transformation extended beyond mere cost savings, encompassing ethical sourcing, risk management and sustainability.

Emirates NBD established strict ethical sourcing policies and implemented comprehensive risk management frameworks, ensuring business continuity and resilience against potential disruptions.

Notably, this transformation has set a new standard for procurement practices in the region, with the model now forming the basis for Emirates NBD's international governance framework.

The project's success has garnered recognition both internally and externally, with Nita and her team being finalists in multiple categories at the CIPS Middle East Excellence in Procurement Awards.

This procurement transformation not only demonstrates Emirates NBD's commitment to operational excellence but also highlights the potential for women leaders to drive significant change in the traditionally male-dominated Saudi Arabian business landscape.

The awards

Launched in 2024, The Global  Procurement & Supply Chain Awards 2024 debuted at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London on 24, September. 

The comprehensive programme acknowledges companies, professionals and projects that have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation and strategic thinking in a multitude of categories.

The awards celebrate the best companies, professionals and projects in procurement and supply chain, and offer free entry for charities and NGOs.

“It was an honour to spotlight such a wide range of incredible companies at the inaugural Global Procurement & Supply Chain Awards,” said Glen White, CEO of BizClik, Procurement Magazine and Supply Chain Digital.

“At a time where it is crucial that companies are getting their global sourcing, risk & resilience and technology strategies right, it's important to celebrate the successes of those who have implemented and developed the key supply chain, procurement and logistics programs, especially when it has a positive impact on sustainable supply chains in the future.

“To host the awards during Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London is an incredible moment for the sector to celebrate, we encourage many more companies to enter our Awards for 2025. 

“Thanks to every company that entered - it's important that you stay focused, motivated and continuously innovative and I am excited to see so much more of Generative AI when we meet again in a year.

And a Big Congratulations to every company who entered, those that are highly commended and of course to our 14 winners – we appreciate your input more than you know.”

The Procurement Transformation Award

Honouring exceptional companies driving procurement transformation and displaying exceptional strides in elevating their procurement practices.

• How has the company's procurement practices evolved to drive strategic value for the organisation?
• What initiatives or programs has the company implemented to enhance procurement capabilities and achieve measurable results?
• How has the company demonstrated innovation in its procurement processes, systems, or technologies, resulting in improved efficiency, cost savings, or risk management?
• How has the company effectively collaborated with suppliers and stakeholders to establish strong relationships, improve supplier diversity, or maximise social and environmental sustainability in its procurement practices?

Shortlisted companies included: 

• Pluxee
• EMIRATES NBD KSA
• Infosys Limited
• NHS Supply Chain
• Philip Morris International

Highly Commended: NHS Supply Chain & Infosys 

NHS Supply Chain and Infosys have both undergone significant procurement transformations, yielding impressive results for their organisations and stakeholders.

NHS Supply Chain has shifted from a complex outsourced model to a principally insourced structure, consolidating seven clinical category teams into four areas. This restructuring has enabled a more leveraged approach to supply markets and improved collaboration with NHS partners.

The transformation has already delivered £110 million in net operational savings and £370 million in capital expenditure savings.

One key innovation is the introduction of a Dynamic Purchasing System for an Innovative Product marketplace, accelerating access to ground-breaking medical technologies.

Meanwhile, Infosys has evolved its procurement practices to focus on sustainability, diversity, compliance and risk mitigation.

The company has implemented a single digital portal using SAP S/4 HANA for the entire procurement lifecycle, integrating it with the iCertis contract management system. Infosys has also introduced robust control mechanisms, including OCR controls and keyword searches to prevent unethical practices.

Both organisations have prioritised supplier relationships. NHS Supply Chain has implemented a standardised Supplier Relationship Management approach, which has already shown promising results in initial value release sessions.

Infosys engages suppliers through its biennial 'SAMBANDH' meet, attended by over 2,500 suppliers and conducts regular satisfaction surveys.

The transformations have yielded tangible benefits. NHS Supply Chain is on track to deliver US$1.27bn back into front-line healthcare by 2030. Infosys has achieved savings of over US$96m on annual spend, reduced procurement lead times by 8% and improved supplier loyalty scores by 4%.

These initiatives demonstrate how strategic procurement transformation can drive significant value, not only in cost savings but also in improved stakeholder relationships, innovation and sustainability outcomes.

The Global Sustainability & ESG Awards 2024

Thanks to our esteemed panel of industry leaders who judged the awards:

• Jim Townsend, VP of Property & Procurement at Asda
• Alisa Bornstein, Chief Procurement Officer at Visa
• Daniel Weise, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group
• Benn Godfrey, Vice President of Procurement at Rolls Royce
• Roger Waring, Head of Procurement at UK Power Networks
• Jacqui Rock, Chief Commercial Officer at NHS England
• David Loseby, Professor of Research Impact in Supply Chain Management at Leeds University Business School
• Sheri Hinish, Principal/Senior Partner, Global Consulting Sustainability Technology and Ecosystems Leader at EY
• Brooke DiNatale, SVP of Global Treasury Solutions at Mastercard

The full list of awards categories for 2024:

• Procurement Transformation Award
• Digital Supply Chain
• Global Logistics Award
• Supplier Diversity Award
• Supply Chain Innovation
• Supply Chain Sustainability
• Procurement Technology
• Procurement Consultancy
• Future Leader
• Executive of the Year
• Project of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement
• Social Enterprise
• Start-Up

Essential diary dates for 2024 and 2025…

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:

• 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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Make sure you check out the latest edition of Supply Chain Digital and also sign up to our global conference series - Procurement & Supply Chain 2024

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