DIRK KARL
TITLE : GROUP EXECUTIVE AND CPO INDUSTRY : TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOCATION : DUBAI , UAE
learned from IT software development , we are translating into the procurement organisation ,” says Karl .
Adopting this approach drastically changed MTN ’ s operating model . “ This also transforms our throughput times in terms of how long it takes us to meet supply chain demands and complete sourcing transactions . This is why ‘ digital DNA ’ is a critical part of our transformation .”
It was important for MTN to onboard and restructure the people within its organisation due to the new skill set required . “ It was a real transformational undertaking , bringing data science expertise into the organisation as well as catering for such change , and developing the systems and tools to transform sourcing and supply chain ,” adds Karl .
EXECUTIVE BIO
Dirk Karl is the Group Executive and CPO of Global Sourcing and Supply Chain at MTN Group and has overall responsibility for Sourcing and Supply Chain across the MTN Group .
Since joining MTN in 2017 , Karl has been instrumental in delivering significant impacts on MTN Group ’ s sourcing and supply chain management business . Building on his experiences , he has transformed the organization through multiple levers , which have increased the EBITDA results of the sourcing business by more than 30 %.
Karl has taken MTN ’ s sourcing and supply chain to the forefront of the industry through an ambitious digitalisation and transformation programme . Focusing on the development and exploitation of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning , a well established centre of excellence comprising data scientists and sourcing and supply chain experts utilise their in-house developed “ Nerve Centre ”, harnessing big data to unlock insights and drive a fact based decision approach through a “ digital DNA ” strategy .