With over 16 years of experience across Europe and the UK, Miroslav Pitlanic has built a career turning procurement into a driver of business success. As the Founder of SPL Partners, he leads a consultancy focused on sustainability, digital transformation, and operational excellence—helping companies optimize procurement, reduce costs, and navigate complex UK & EU trade regulations.
Having worked with global leaders like Dell, Honeywell, and Eaton, Miroslav has delivered over $11M in OPEX savings by aligning procurement with business strategy. His expertise spans strategic sourcing, AI-driven process optimization, and supplier management, ensuring procurement is not just about cost-cutting but a catalyst for innovation, efficiency, and long-term growth.
Passionate about sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration, Miroslav is a strong advocate for procurement’s evolution. Here, he shares his journey, insights, and vision for the future of procurement.
Miroslav, tell us about your procurement journey.
Procurement chose me, rather than the other way around. A close friend saw potential in me and introduced me to the field, showing me the true value and impact of procurement. Since then, I’ve been immersed in this dynamic profession. With over 16 years of experience in procurement and supply chain management, I’ve worked with diverse industries across Europe, helping organizations achieve strategic sourcing, procurement excellence, and long-term sustainability goals. As the founder of SPL Partners, I’m committed to transforming procurement into a profit-driving function, guiding businesses toward smarter, more efficient purchasing practices.
What do you love about procurement?
What I love most about procurement is its ability to shape the future of a business by driving value far beyond just cost savings. It’s a function that touches every part of the organization, from improving supplier relationships to enabling innovation and sustainability initiatives. Procurement allows me to combine strategic thinking with practical solutions, which makes every day a new challenge. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how decisions in procurement can directly impact the bottom line, streamline operations, and create a competitive advantage for the company. But beyond that, procurement also creates opportunities for growth and collaboration, both internally with different teams and externally with suppliers and stakeholders.
Procurement wants the proverbial seat at the table. What does it need to do to earn that seat? What can procurement achieve with this seat?
Earning a seat at the table requires procurement to move beyond its traditional role of just managing costs and begin aligning itself more closely with the strategic goals of the business. It needs to demonstrate its value by proactively identifying opportunities for innovation, managing risks, and creating sustainable supply chains that align with the long-term vision of the company. Once at the table, procurement can drive meaningful change, influencing not only cost-efficiency but also contributing to business growth and transformation. A seat at the table means procurement has a voice in shaping strategy, ensuring that sourcing decisions are not only cost-effective but also sustainable and aligned with the company’s values.
What are the benefits of the growing ecosystem of service, solution, and tool providers for procurement? What are the shortcomings? How do you compare and select in an efficient time frame?
The growing ecosystem of service and solution providers is incredibly beneficial to procurement, offering access to new technologies that can improve efficiency, mitigate risk, and support sustainability initiatives. These providers allow procurement teams to automate processes, analyse data more effectively, and manage supplier relationships with greater precision. However, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming, and it’s difficult to know which solutions will truly deliver long-term value. The key to selecting the right provider is having a clear strategy and understanding the specific business needs that each tool can address. It’s essential to balance innovation with practicality, ensuring that any new solution not only integrates seamlessly with existing processes but also offers tangible, measurable results. Efficiency in selection comes from knowing exactly what you need and how each solution can drive value, rather than getting swayed by trends or flashy promises.
What has been the biggest change to procurement during your career?
The biggest change I’ve seen in procurement is the shift from a transactional, cost-cutting function to a more strategic, value-driving force within organizations. When I first started in procurement, the role was primarily focused on negotiating prices and managing supplier contracts. Today, procurement plays a central role in driving innovation, ensuring sustainability, and mitigating risk. The expectations placed on procurement professionals have shifted, and with this, the skill sets required have evolved. Digital tools and data analytics have empowered procurement teams to make smarter, more informed decisions. This change has also led to a greater emphasis on collaboration with other departments and with suppliers, which is critical for long-term success.