Connecting the Dots: Harnessing Technology and Curiosity to Transform Supply Chain and Procurement

Francisco Rovira, Head Supply Chain / NCE Champion / NBE NiM Integration Lead Peru-Bolivia, Nestlé

Francisco Rovira is an accomplished professional with 37 years of diverse experience in supply chain and operations. Currently serving as IT Supply Chain Director for Nestlé in Latin America, he has led significant transformations in Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, and the Philippines, focusing on efficiency and customer service excellence.

Through my 40 years of experience working in international markets such as Guatemala, the Philippines, Peru, and Mexico, I have learned that curiosity is crucial for creating ‘ah-ha moments’ for individuals and teams. What once failed can now succeed due to changing circumstances and previous experiences.

I strive to understand the different situations I encounter. How do I do it? Simple: by asking questions. Throughout this time, working in fields such as tech, CPGs, entrepreneurship, spanning sales, supply chain, and general management, I have worked with my teams to connect the dots and develop solutions for all kinds of issues. It all starts with identifying pain points or unlocking value, and then finding the means to achieve it. This is when we understand what technologies can be used and how.

For example, something I would highlight in recent years was establishing the technology hub in Mexico City with over 220 employees, serving all of LATAM. Here, curiosity and an agile mindset were fundamental in turning this global vision into reality. After this challenge and many others faced as the head of Technology for Supply Chain and Procurement in LATAM, I can say that, whenever a problem arises, there are endless possibilities to face it thanks to curiosity and technology.

Within my industry, we are exposed to the entire flow from farm to fork, starting with raw materials, and transforming them into final products that win in the market, whether on shelves or online. However, if we want to excel, it requires efficient resource utilization through best-in-class planning processes and state-of-the-art customer collaboration, especially if we want to meet consumers’ needs. Of course, it’s easier said than done.

“By embracing curiosity and leveraging technology, we can unlock endless possibilities along the supply chain that can help us better address any matter; nonetheless, it is a journey that requires constant adaptation, innovation, and collaboration.”

Today, technology is only valuable when well-adopted. It’s not just about training; it’s about fixing or improving the status quo while ensuring sustainability, resilience, and security day in and day out. Besides traditional Enterprise Resource Planning systems, the competitive environment demands leveraging technology to respond quickly to the changing needs of stakeholders, both internally and externally—customers and consumers.

On that end, real-time solutions enable us to bring alerts and opportunities to the table, leveraging innovative technologies such as Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning. This allows us to establish new ways of working and fine-tuning our response to alerts, opportunities, and specific needs. Also, Command Centers are proving to deliver superior results, particularly within operations, including Supply Chain, Sales, and Manufacturing.

On the other hand, data is the foundation of the equation, and the old saying “garbage in, garbage out” remains critical. Predictive analysis, based on data, helps define planning processes and operational demand. However, nowadays we are implementing prescriptive analysis using technology with Generative AI. Powerful AI algorithms process multiple variables at high speeds, enabling us to predict results in real-time, which in the past required weeks of analysis. For example, we can adjust truck routing, make buying decisions, and modify production on the spot. However, continuous iteration, together with an agile and curious mindset, is necessary to prove and test—and even fail—always striving for better outputs.

By embracing curiosity and leveraging technology, we can unlock endless possibilities along the supply chain that can help us better address any matter; nonetheless, it is a journey that requires constant adaptation, innovation, and collaboration. With the right mindset and tools, we can navigate the ever-changing business landscape and create a future where efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction go hand in hand.