It’s no secret that digital transformation has been essential to the procurement function’s rise as a true strategic partner to business operations, enabling efficiencies, operational resilience, and organisational overhauls that deliver consistent and reliable output.
There are few better examples of procurement and supply chain’s transformation from back-office function to strategic imperative than at oil and petrochemical company Tüpraş, the largest industrial enterprise in Turkey that operates four refineries located in İzmit, İzmir, Kırıkkale, and Batman, with a total annual crude oil processing capacity of over 30 million tonnes. Since its privatisation in 2006, as Koç Holding’s leading company in energy sector, its success has been supported by the contributions of its overhauled procurement function.
Tüpraş’s procurement function has played a pivotal role in adopting innovative technologies, while its long-term strategies concerning ESG initiatives and further advancements in technology are also deeply reliant on this function. Effectively capturing, harnessing, and fostering the potential of procurement across such an extensive business operation is an immense challenge. Keen to learn more about the leadership behind Tüpraş’s procurement-focused successes, SupplyChainStrategy sat down with four key players in the company’s roster.
A supply chain transformation
Göksel Baydar is the company’s Supply Chain Executive Director, with a remit covering every element of the supply chain – customs, inventory, stock management, procurement, category management, sourcing and master data. Additionally, his responsibilities encompass investment contracts, multidisciplinary and large-scale budget investments and projects, renewable energy investments, sustainability projects, EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), C (Construction), P+C (Procurement and Construction), FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) investments, detailed and basic engineering contracts.
He is joined by Supply Chain Director Güray Usanmaz, responsible for warehouse management, inventory planning, purchase fulfilment, master data and logistics; Efe Güzelmeriç, Head of Supply Chain Sustainability and Master Data; and Contracts and Sourcing Director Celal Kan.
“Procurement has truly become a strategic partner to the business,” states Baydar. “It’s no longer just a cost-saving function but plays a critical role in driving innovation, managing risks, and supporting the overall business strategy. Our procurement strategy is centred around creating value for the company by leveraging data and insights to make informed decisions…”