Driving Procurement Innovation!
The procurement industry plays a vital role in the seamless functioning of businesses across various sectors. By ensuring the efficient acquisition of goods and services, it supports operational continuity and strategic growth. This field is characterized by its complexities and challenges, such as supply chain disruptions, cost management, technology integration, and regulatory compliance.
Procurement professionals are managing these issues, nurturing key business relationships, and driving cost savings. As the industry continues to grow and adapt, it increasingly emphasizes sustainability, ethical practices, and technological advancements, making it an exciting career choice for many.
Sofiya Poland, the Group Procurement Director, has established herself as a distinguished leader in this growing field. With a background marked by ambition and resilience, she has navigated the challenges of procurement with exceptional skill and strategic insight. Her journey began with a solid educational foundation in logistics and transportation, complemented by practical experience in various roles. Her dedication to continuous learning and improvement has been a core aspect of her career, enabling her to lead her team with confidence and drive meaningful advancements in procurement practices.
Al Masaood LLC, where Sofiya currently leads the procurement division, is a prominent player in the region’s business sector. The company places a strong emphasis on sustainable practices and strategic supplier relationships. Under Sofiya’s leadership, Al Masaood’s procurement team has significantly transformed, evolving into a robust and influential function within the organization. This transformation has enhanced operational efficiency and positioned Al Masaood as a leader in integrating sustainable and ethical procurement practices, reflecting their commitment to socio-economic development and environmental stewardship.
Let’s explore Sofiya’s innovative leadership journey in the procurement industry:
The Making of a Procurement Professional
During her school days, Sofiya was always an ambitious and active girl, driven by the desire to create a better life for her family and herself. Her parents worked incredibly hard, and they managed to get by with just the essentials. Unlike some of her friends, they couldn’t afford luxuries like a bicycle or a car. This fueled her determination to improve their circumstances as soon as possible.
She graduated from secondary school with distinction and a silver medal, which earned her a scholarship to Azov State Technical University in Mariupol, where she studied Organization of International Transportation. She was particularly proud of her diploma thesis, “Modes of Logistics Solutions,” which she defended in English—a rare feat in Ukraine at that time—and received a distinction for it.
During her university years, she did an apprenticeship with a freight forwarding company. This experience was invaluable, as it allowed her to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, especially in the processes and documentation required for sea and rail shipments.
After graduation, finding a job proved challenging due to the low salaries many companies offered. A friend suggested she work for a small Italian intermediary company as an office manager. This role was multifaceted, involving administrative support and various other tasks. It was here that she developed a passion for the Italian language, learning it quickly and even assisting with translating agreements.
After meeting her husband, they moved to Northern Ireland (UK), where her career in procurement began—quite unexpectedly, she must admit. Initially hired for the production line at an aerospace manufacturing company in Kilkeel, B/E Aerospace, she was quickly promoted to a Planner-Buyer role within just three months. This was her introduction to the intricacies of procurement, supply chain processes, and principles.
In 2009, after 4.5 years in Northern Ireland, her family and she relocated to the Middle East. This marked a significant turning point in her procurement career. Over the past 15 years, she has advanced from a Planner to a Procurement Director, working with multiple international, government, and non-government organizations in the UAE. Along the way, she achieved her MCIPS and FCIPS Procurement Professional status, milestones that she is incredibly proud of.
Initially, her entry into procurement was by chance, but as she gained experience and knowledge, her decision to pursue a career in this field became a conscious and well-thought-out choice. This profession is very exciting as it combines strategic decision-making, global market insights, and the opportunity to drive cost savings and innovation, all while fostering key business relationships.
Navigating Procurement Challenges in a Global Context
Procurement professionals globally encounter familiar challenges, such as supply chain disruptions, cost management, technology integration, and regulatory compliance. At Al Masaood, these challenges are shared with their counterparts in the region. As a service-oriented company, their reliance on both local and global suppliers is profound. Hence, it’s imperative for her team and her to continually foster strong relationships with their suppliers, stay abreast of industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory shifts, and consistently assess and enhance procurement processes to boost efficiency and cut costs.
According to Sofiya, “Operating the Procurement function in a family business, you must strike a delicate balance and remain adaptable across policies, processes, procurement strategies, compliance, and risk management.” To address this, she has introduced a hybrid procurement model.
This model applies centralized procurement principles across the group while decentralizing support to each business unit through the appointment of a Procurement Business Partner (BP) to oversee procurement operations. This approach allows for standardization where viable and flexibility where required.
Planning for a Sustainable Future
Agility and adaptability in procurement strategies are crucial in a constantly evolving environment, both internally and in supplier relationships. At Al Masaood, they have implemented Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), emphasizing the development of stronger relationships with key suppliers across each business stream. This approach fosters innovation, enhances quality, and achieves cost savings through long-term partnerships and supplier development and diversification.
As a longstanding family company with a distinguished heritage, Al Masaood significantly contributes to the socio-economic development of the country. Al Masaood Group’s procurement division plays a crucial role in this effort by encouraging their key suppliers and developing new ones to align their strategies with Al Masaood’s commitment to local content through the National In-Country Value (ICV) Program.
This program not only enhances Al Masaood’s competitive position in the local market but also supports economic diversification, empowers local talent, and advances the country’s strategic autonomy goals. For instance, the Al Masaood procurement team currently comprises 30% national staff, and they are committed to further growth in this area.
There is a plan to develop a sustainable sourcing program this year, and updates will follow.
Building Trust and Transparency in a Procurement Team
She leads by example and firmly believes in its effectiveness. Her team often expresses how their self-motivated team culture, nurtured over years, now serves as a model within their organization. They see her dedication as contagious, driving excellence throughout their collective efforts.
Building such a trusting environment didn’t happen overnight. It required time and consistent effort. Her team values her transparency, honesty, and commitment to ongoing learning and improvement. She firmly believes that a fulfilling professional journey involves continuous education and exploration.
She takes pride in the fact that all members of her team are pursuing Diplomas in Procurement and Supply, with some even seeking the Advanced Diploma through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). Despite the demands of their daily responsibilities, their enthusiasm and the tangible results they witness from applying best practices are invaluable.
The enhanced communication and respect from stakeholders towards their Procurement department are evident, with the team now playing a pivotal role in decision-making processes. It’s gratifying to see Operations turning to Procurement for guidance and risk mitigation, a remarkable shift from the past when Procurement had minimal influence within Al Masaood. While she’s proud of their achievements, they remain committed to further growth and evolution.
Utilizing Emerging Technologies for Competitive Advantage
In Sofiya’s opinion, there are no doubts about the necessity of embracing the ongoing digital revolution that is shaping both individuals and organizations worldwide. Professionals who grasp the significance of emerging technologies and understand how to utilize them effectively can facilitate their company’s engagement with customers and stakeholders, driving efficiency and precision while uncovering fresh opportunities to maintain a competitive edge.
During her time at MIT, she gained insights into the five primary catalysts of change: Blockchain, Cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Cybersecurity. While not all of these are currently practiced at Al Masaood, her studies have proven invaluable in negotiating favorable agreements with third-party service providers for IoT solutions and various Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings essential to their operations.
Al Masaood is presently undergoing a significant transformation initiative with SAP. Through Sofiya’s enhanced understanding and ability to articulate technical concepts, she has approached internal stakeholders and technology providers with increased confidence. This newfound literacy has contributed positively to their interactions, fostering smoother collaborations and ensuring their alignment with the evolving technological landscape.
Beyond Core Responsibilities
At Al Masaood LLC, their procurement team goes beyond performing core responsibilities to support operations effectively; they also seek to add value and optimize processes. For them, procurement excellence means focusing on areas that other departments may overlook and acting as advisors on company operations, processes, and policies.
She is proud to say that all business units (BUs) rely on procurement for the best solutions in projects, compliance and governance, innovations, cost management, and sustainability. She frequently reminds her team that they are not just procurement professionals but “intellectual generalists” who offer consultancy across various areas due to their strategic position.
She encourages the team to stay abreast of the latest market trends and continuously develop new skills in procurement, technology innovation, and sustainability. Simply having experience in procurement is no longer sufficient; the dynamic world demands that they be more agile and proactive than ever before.
Proactive and Effective Efforts in Procurement
At Al Masaood LLC, they prioritize sustainable practices in their procurement strategies across all areas of operation. Their procurement team has spearheaded the waste management project for the entire group, replacing plastic bottles, introducing paperless processes, and implementing the most economical and eco-friendly printing solutions.
Additionally, they collaborate with all business units to source alternative energy generation methods and new sustainable products and services. While regional legislation on sustainability may differ in stringency compared to Europe, where it serves as a key performance indicator for procurement professionals, there is a recognized urgency to develop and implement a comprehensive company sustainability strategy and supplier sustainability program. They are actively working on these initiatives to align with global sustainability goals.
The Al Masaood Procurement team undergoes annual assessments for Ethical Procurement and Supply, emphasizing ethical and sustainable procurement practices. For two consecutive years, Al Masaood Procurement has been honored with the prestigious CIPS Corporate Ethics Award and Kitemarks. They remain dedicated to maintaining and surpassing these standards of excellence.
They are also currently exploring tools that will aid their procurement team in this sustainability journey, ensuring they remain proactive and effective in their efforts.
Aligning with Expectations
Since joining Al Masaood in 2019, she has witnessed a remarkable transformation within their procurement department. Initially, the team consisted of five individuals focused primarily on processing purchase orders with minimal strategic initiatives and involvement. Today, they have evolved into a recognized and respected procurement function, comprising 18 procurement professionals operating within a hybrid structure that efficiently supports all business streams and participates in decision-making at the board level.
One of their initial challenges was overcoming resistance to change and skepticism regarding their department’s capability to source the required products and services effectively. However, through persistent efforts, they not only demonstrated their professionalism and value but also introduced robust process governance and implemented the Group Procurement Policy and processes.
They conducted multiple awareness sessions with all business streams, presenting procurement from a new perspective and highlighting the benefits of the updated processes. While governance remains a key focus, their policy is regularly updated to ensure it aligns with customer expectations and enables them to be more responsive, resilient, and competitive in a dynamic business environment.
Contributing to Industry Events
Sofiya believes that staying updated as well as networking are essential for the profession. She actively participates in professional organizations like the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). Over the past four years, she has contributed as a judge for the CIPS MENA Awards, and she regularly attends their annual conferences. She also participates in panel discussions at prominent procurement and supply chain events within the region.
Additionally, she leverages platforms like LinkedIn to connect with peers, participate in forums, and exchange insights and experiences. Continuous education is fundamental to her approach. She frequently enrolls in online courses and pursues advanced certifications in procurement and supply chain management, enabling her to stay aware of the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the field.
A New Era for Procurement and Supply Chain Management
In Sofiya’s view, the future of procurement and supply chain management will certainly be driven by digital transformation and sustainability initiatives. Al Masaood can stay ahead by focusing on these areas:
Digital Transformation: Al Masaood is undergoing a significant digital and process transformation with SAP across all business streams. This investment will automate the majority of current tasks, leveraging AI and IoT within various modules to enhance speed and cost efficiency. They are also implementing Advanced Analytics to improve transparency and support informed decision-making. This transformation positions Al Masaood’s procurement team at the core of process decision-making, serving as an advisory body for best practices moving forward.
Sustainability Initiatives– Al Masaood is working on the Group sustainable strategy to integrate sustainability into its core business streams. Procurement will play a key role in this initiative by collaborating with suppliers committed to sustainability and sourcing materials and services with a lower environmental impact.
Their focus will include local sourcing, ethical procurement, eco-friendly and energy-efficient products, and waste reduction. While she acknowledges the complexity and costs associated with this transformation, their stance is firm. Sofiya emphasizes, “The importance of sustainability extends beyond business—our planet is not disposable, and we have a responsibility to preserve it for future generations.”
Sofiya believes that “Sustainable practices are crucial for maintaining the health of our Earth, reducing pollution, conserving resources, and ensuring a liveable environment for all. We must commit to these practices at any cost to secure a sustainable future.”
