SBM Offshore Case Study
Building a Global Supply Chain Community
When SBM Offshore identified an opportunity to strengthen the strategic impact of its supply chain function, it partnered with Alliance Manchester Business School to create a bespoke leadership and capability development programme that would bring together procurement professionals from across the globe. The result was the Supply Chain Academy: a tailored learning experience designed to develop technical capability, while creating a shared language, common framework and global community of practice across SBM's international operations.
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The challenge
As a global leader in offshore energy infrastructure, SBM Offshore relies on an extensive supply chain network to support projects across multiple regions and business units.
An internal review highlighted a common challenge faced by many organisations: procurement professionals were often viewed as transactional buyers rather than strategic contributors. At the same time, teams were operating across different geographies, with varying approaches, experiences and local practices.
For a function responsible for a significant proportion of organisational expenditure, SBM recognised an opportunity to strengthen consistency, build strategic capability and empower supply chain professionals to play a more influential role in business decision-making.
The goal is to transform our buyers into a team that is seen as providing valuable services. We want them to be capable of challenging instructions, offering alternatives and helping to de-risk decisions that improve operational performance
The solution
Working closely with SBM's leadership team, Alliance Manchester Business School designed a highly customised Supply Chain Academy focused on developing both capability and community.
Participants were drawn from across SBM's global operations, creating opportunities for colleagues who might never otherwise work together to share experiences, compare approaches and learn from one another.
The programme combined contemporary supply chain thinking with practical application, equipping delegates with a shared framework for strategic decision-making and value creation.
Importantly, the Academy was designed around SBM's own challenges and operating environment, ensuring that every discussion, exercise and project related directly to participants' day-to-day work.
Creating a common language
One of the programme's most significant achievements was establishing a common framework for supply chain thinking across the organisation.
Participants were introduced to shared models, tools and concepts that enabled colleagues across regions and business units to approach challenges using a common language and consistent frameworks. This created greater alignment in decision-making and increased delegates' confidence to engage more strategically with stakeholders across the business.
Rather than simply processing purchase orders, delegates were encouraged to think critically, challenge assumptions and identify opportunities to create value.
Embedding AI-enabled Decision Making
A distinctive feature of the Supply Chain Academy was the integration of AI throughout the learning experience.
Rather than treating AI as a standalone topic, delegates were encouraged to experiment with AI-powered tools as research assistants, decision-support mechanisms and problem-solving aids within real supply chain scenarios.
Participants explored how AI could support activities such as supplier selection, data analysis and structured decision-making, using approaches including Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).
By combining contemporary supply chain thinking with hands-on experimentation, the programme helped delegates build confidence in applying emerging technologies responsibly and effectively within their own roles.
This focus on AI-enabled learning reflected SBM's commitment to equipping its supply chain professionals with the digital capabilities needed to navigate an increasingly complex and data-rich operating environment.
Building a global community
The Academy was intentionally designed to bring together professionals from different countries, business units and specialisms.
Through collaborative learning experiences, participants developed relationships that extended beyond the classroom and created a stronger sense of connection across the global supply chain function.
This network has continued beyond the formal programme through an emerging community of practice that encourages ongoing knowledge sharing, peer support and the spread of best practice throughout the organisation.
Delegates played an active role in shaping future cohorts by nominating colleagues to participate in subsequent programmes, helping to sustain momentum and strengthen the Academy's growing community of practice. Participants also had opportunities to represent the wider network at SBM's annual Supply Chain Conference, further embedding the programme within the function's long-term development.
Embracing new ways of working
The programme also explored the role of emerging technologies in modern supply chain management.
Participants experimented with AI-powered tools as research assistants, decision-support mechanisms and problem-solving aids, helping them understand how digital technologies could support more informed and efficient decision-making.
By combining academic insight with practical experimentation, delegates were encouraged to consider how new technologies could be integrated into their own work and contribute to future improvements across the function.
The Impact
Feedback from participants demonstrated increased confidence in applying supply chain tools and frameworks, alongside a stronger understanding of contemporary supply chain management principles.
More importantly, the programme helped establish a shared identity for the function, creating stronger connections between colleagues and reinforcing the strategic contribution that supply chain professionals can make to organisational performance.
For SBM Offshore, the Supply Chain Academy has become more than a learning programme. It has created a platform for capability development, collaboration and continuous improvement that supports the organisation's long-term ambitions.
By investing in its people and creating a global community united by shared standards and ways of working, SBM is helping to position its supply chain function as a strategic partner capable of driving value across the business.
