ince beginning his career nearly 20 years ago, Aswani Nimmagadda has taken many different paths on his journey to procurement.
His breadth of experience ranges from software development to risk analysis, equipping him with the knowledge to catalyse digital transformation in the region.
During his time at stc Kuwait he has faced cultural challenges, but his passion for connectivity has continued to drive him.
A journey with many paths
Aswani's journey into procurement is a testament to his diverse and extensive experience in various roles within the telecommunications industry.
After pursuing a BSc in Computer Science from Acharya Nagarjuna University and an MBA from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Aswani commenced his career as a developer.
He made waves in his transition through roles as an Analyst, Product Lead and Consultant, accumulating a wealth of expertise over nearly two decades. His time in the finance sector, particularly through the implementation of IFRS 15 for stc Kuwait, showcased his adeptness in handling complex financial standards.
This varied background, coupled with his continuous presence in the telecom domain, equipped him with a unique perspective and an ability to navigate different aspects of the industry.
This proved key to his eventual transition into procurement in 2020, for which his comprehensive understanding of risk, data and finance play a critical role.
Overcoming unique regional challenges
One of the biggest challenges Aswani faced in his move to procurement was Kuwait’s unique reliance on global imports over local procurement.
However, his career foundation in multinational companies and understanding of international supply chains proved essential to his role in the region, where technological needs are primarily sourced from global markets.
Aswani explains: “While we do have a presence in the local Kuwait market, my experience with global players and multinational companies facilitated a smooth transition into this role. Having worked as both a consultant and a developer, I gained valuable insights into how suppliers operate, which made it easier to understand and manage supplier relationships.”
Aswani’s previous roles as a consultant and developer provided him with valuable perspective on supplier relations, making it easier to navigate the complexities of procurement.
Despite the inherent challenges of moving into a new domain, Aswani’s ability to adapt and leverage his diverse experience enabled him to effectively manage the procurement function within the telecommunications sector.
Transforming connectivity through procurement
Aswani’s main challenge upon accepting the role at stc was the significant cultural shift required to modernise the company’s processes; procurement operated in a traditional manner, lacking robust systems, proper governance and clearly defined processes.
He particularly noted the absence of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and metrics monitoring, meaning he would have to transform the procurement role from an administrative function focused on basic savings calculations to a strategic role integral to decision-making. He did just that.
Explaining how, he says: “You need to take along the resources for change with you, upskill your people and make the organisation understand what’s in store for them in the future. They must understand that we are not a showstopper, we are enablers for them. That was the main factor driving our transformation.
“It was the team spirit that actually made us achieve and overcome the challenge.”
In order to achieve this transformation, Aswani emphasises the importance of demonstrating that procurement could be an “enabler” rather than a hindrance to business operations.
Support from C-level executives and the engagement of all stakeholders across various units, including consumer and business-to-business, were crucial.
This collective effort to enact a shared vision ultimately drove the successful transformation of procurement processes, overcoming the initial challenges and establishing a more strategic, efficient and effective operation.
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