A Journey of Transformation: Revolutionizing Procurement at the Royal Commission for AlUla

Embarking on a journey to reshape the procurement landscape at the The Royal Commission for AlUla has been a thrilling endeavor. As the Vice President of Procurement, I have had the privilege of leading a team through this remarkable evolution - one that embraces inclusivity, digital innovation, and continuous learning.

From the outset, our vision was clear: to cultivate a procurement team defined by diversity and collaboration in line with the overarching vision and ambitions of RCU. The journey began with a nimble start-up team, and over five transformative years we have grown the Procurement Function into a large dynamic tribe. Our diverse team stands as a testament to the potential unleashed when inclusivity drives innovation. Our commitment to an inclusive culture has allowed us to harness diverse insights and ideas, catapulting our procurement efficiency to unprecedented levels.

Growth and learning have been two core pillars of my leadership approach within the function. Recognizing the transformative power of knowledge, we deployed internationally recognized training programs from the CIPS - The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply , covering topics including sourcing and contracting best practices, spend management, and ethics. The enthusiasm with which the team embraced these opportunities speaks volumes, as do the benefits that have been felt throughout the function and the wider business.

In the digital age, the transformative potential of technology for procurement has seldom been clearer. Our partnership with SAP Ariba in 2020 enabled us to streamline our operations and promote transparency throughout the procurement lifecycle. Through powerful dashboards that provide real-time data insights, our team became equipped to make informed, strategic decisions, pushing our efficiency to unparalleled levels. Our embrace of digital transformation has not only enhanced our capabilities but also fundamentally reshaped the way we approach challenges.

Transformation requires more than individual effort; it demands collaboration. Recognizing this, we have partnered with a number of trailblazing advisory firms in the Procurement industry. Through these relationships, we have successfully honed our procurement strategy, enabling the further development of the function. The results have been evident in enhanced planning, improved inter-departmental collaborations, and timely project deliveries. Partnerships like these reiterate the power of collaboration in driving change.

A fantastic example of the development we are seeing across the function, can be seen in RCU’s receipt of two awards from CIPS:

1. CIPS Procurement Excellence Standard Award
2. CIPS Corporate Ethical Procurement & Supply

These achievements are representative of our evolution into a top-class function with value-adding people, processes, and tools. Ultimately, neither of these would have been possible without the dedication and determination of our excellent team who work tirelessly to support the vision of RCU. Despite the great strides we have taken, this is still just the beginning, and our responsibilities will continue to grow as our capabilities expand to encompass Supply Chain, including planning & logistics, and warehouse & inventory management at the County level.?

At the heart of our efforts is a genuine commitment to the sustainable development of AlUla County. The procurement function continues to enable the sustainable development of AlUla County, uplifting the community, creating world-class venues and resorts, and furthering wildlife conservation, as we drive efforts towards achieving 2 million visits per year by 2035.

Our journey has been defined by transformation. The accomplishments of our team have nurtured an inclusive culture, leveraged digital innovation, and forged collaborative partnerships.

As we look back, I am proud to see the impact we have made in positioning RCU as a beacon of excellence in procurement. Our story reaffirms the power of transformational thinking and the profound impact it can have on an organization's success.

- Ayman Bagawi, Procurement Vice President, The Royal Commission for AlUla