AllPoints Fibre's Courtney Rowlands Reveals the Wild West of Procurement

A deep dive interview with AllPoints Fibre's Head of Category Procurement, 2025 supply chain risks to stay on top of and AI use cases for procurement you don't want to miss.

Deana Claessen

Jan 09, 2025

Hey Changemakers,

Here it is - the first in our update series designed for Supply Chain Changemakers, coming to your inbox twice a month.

Here’s what we’ve got in store for you:

A Conversation with Courtney Rowlands
Global Risk Roundup: What to Watch Now
The Art of What’s Possible: AI Use Cases for Procurement

A Conversation With Courtney Rowlands

A couple of weeks back, we had the chance to sit down with Courtney Rowlands, Head of Category Procurement at AllPoints Fibre. From her first job in procurement to her take on sustainability, Courtney shared some refreshingly honest insights on what it takes to thrive in the industry.

Oh, and a quick shoutout to her adorable Dachshund, Noodles, who made a cameo during our chat - but sadly, not while recording. You can hear him barking if you listen well enough!

What we covered:

Her take on transactional procurement. “It’s firefighting. It’s messy. It’s the Wild West.”
Why digital transformations fail in a tactical setting, and what a strategic function looks like.
Building sustainable supply chains - beyond more than just ticking checkboxes.
Empowering women in procurement, and how to succeed in male-dominated environments.

Don’t miss the full conversation:

Global Risk Roundup

There’s a lot happening in the world right now, here are the top risks to watch this week:

1. Trump’s Tariffs: A New Trade War?

Incoming President Trump has described tariffs as “the most beautiful word in the dictionary” and is ready to make tariffs his go-to weapon for economic and political leverage. His plans include 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% on goods from China. Another tedious trade war en route? (Source)

2. Labour Disruptions Looming at US Ports

US East Coast ports, which handle 40% of the nation’s container traffic, face potential labour strikes. Hapag-Lloyd has already announced surcharges: $850 for 20-foot containers and $1,700 for 40-foot containers, applicable if disruptions materialise. (Source)

3. Is Europe Preparing for WW3?

European nations are ramping up defense spending, strengthening military collaboration and civil preparedness. From the European Sky Shield to NATO exercises, the region is preparing for the worst amid growing global tensions. (Source)

4. Middle East Turmoil

Ongoing conflicts in Syria and tensions involving Turkey and Israel are shaking up the Middle East, threatening trade routes and critical energy supplies. Companies definitely need to keep an eye out for potential disruptions with these shifting geopolitical dynamics. (Source)

The Art of What’s Possible

Each edition we'll spotlight different use cases or Kavida’s new product features to explore the art of what’s possible in procurement and supply chain.

This week, it’s supplier performance data.

Ever reached the end of a project only to realise you’ve gained no actionable insights on your suppliers? Metrics like responsiveness, PO revisions, on-time document submissions, and more slip through the cracks.

Here’s how an AI agent can change that:

What exactly are AI Agents? We’ve written an article that goes into the nitty gritty of it, if you want to learn more!

Supply Chain Changemakers