Supply Chain Digital Magazine March 2023 | Page 80

Richard Jowers
LOGISTICS

Richard Jowers

TITLE : DIRECTOR OF VALUE ADVISORY , INTELLIGENT SPEND & BUSINESS NETWORK
COMPANY : SAP INDUSTRY : BUSINESS SERVICES LOCATION : GERMANY ( HQ )
Jowers says of himself : “ I work collaboratively with clients to drive their digital transformation agenda through the introduction of SAP technologies .” To do so he draws upon 25 years ’ experience working with global organisations across a range of industry sectors . Specialties include : Digital procurement solutions , procurement transformation , strategic sourcing , supplier relationship management , and logistics engineering .
Jowers said the very shape of logistics is being changed by the disruptive forces at work in today ’ s world , and that businesses are learning to adapt as they go . “ Take the decision of some companies to hold high levels of inventory to protect themselves against supply risks – many have discovered that such an approach itself comes with its own risks . Materials and products can go out of date or become obsolete .”
As a result of this , continues Jowers , organisations are now turning to supply networks over chains to source goods locally . “ It might not even be for purely logistical reasons , but for ESG purposes . They might want to support a particular part of their domestic economy , for example , or a particular region or group of people .
80 March 2023