Murat joined McLane last fall as its new CIDO. We recently spoke with him to learn about what brought him to McLane and his goals for the company’s new information technology and digital (IT&D) strategy. 

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I have a diverse background—my experience spans across four continents and key industries such as retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, and direct-to-consumer. I was born in Turkey and came to the U.S. in 2002 to study at Georgia Tech. Upon graduation, I started moving east for work and to get to know the world better. I came back to U.S. with Procter & Gamble where I spent 18 years across multiple leadership roles, including Global Vice President, Technology Solutions, Delivery and Digital Transformation, and various Regional CIO roles.

Before joining McLane last fall, I served as the Global Technology and Digital Officer at Whirlpool Corporation, where I led all aspects of technology and data across supply chain, manufacturing, sales, purchasing, and e-commerce in 40+ countries. I am passionate about leveraging technology, data, and AI to transform the way business is done and create value. 

What inspired you to join McLane?
I spent two decades on the supplier and retail side of the value chain, and I saw this role as a learning opportunity to expand my experience. Many of America’s most beloved brands that McLane serves are among my family’s favorites including Hershey, Chick-fil-A, and Taco Bell. I was inspired by McLane’s values, culture, commitment to innovation, and the leadership team whom I met. The opportunity to lead the digital and technology strategy and work with a talented team to drive significant change was very appealing to me. 

What is your vision for the future of McLane’s technology and digital strategy?
My vision for McLane’s technology and digital strategy is to build an intelligent, scalable digital foundation that fuels growth and delivers lasting value. By continuously advancing our capabilities in technology, AI, and digital, we aim to be the most agile and compelling choice for both customers and suppliers. Equally important, we’re committed to delivering practical, user-friendly solutions that empower our teammates to work more efficiently, freeing up time for innovation and taking better care of our customers. 

What are the key goals of that strategy?
McLane’s IT&D strategy is designed with our customers at the center. We’re focused on five key goals that directly enhance your experience: 

1. Always-On Service – We’re continuing our work and investments in a resilient, always-on cloud and data foundation to ensure reliability and consistency in every interaction.
2. Intelligent Supply Chain – Technology is always evolving, and we will too. By continuing to modernize our systems and infrastructure, we’re enabling a more agile, real-time supply chain that responds quickly to business needs. 
3. Seamless Customer Experiences – We’re removing friction from every touchpoint, making it easier and faster to do business with us. 
4. Empowered Teams – Our teammates are equipped with simplified tools and processes, so they can focus more on delivering exceptional service. 
5. Innovation Through AI – We’re investing in artificial intelligence to bring smarter solutions, faster insights, and a competitive edge in the market. 

To achieve these objectives, we are transforming our team structure by fostering closer collaboration between business and technology through agile methodologies and integrated operations. This approach is intended to create a more responsive and innovative McLane that is better positioned to serve our partners. 

What role do artificial intelligence and machine learning play in our technology strategy?
AI/ML play a crucial role in our technology strategy by enabling us to make data-driven decisions from route optimization to purchasing, automate processes improving the way people work, and provide personalized recommendations to our customers. Our people are adopting AI quickly; Vito Maurici, our chief customer experience officer, is a big champion. We have industry-leading adoption rates. These technologies will help us remain competitive and innovative.  

What excites you most about the future of McLane?
It is an exciting time to be at McLane. We have been growing a strong team combining industry, McLane, and breakthrough tech knowledge. The company is embracing a forward-looking agenda centered on accelerating growth and enhancing agility across operations. With digital innovation, advanced technologies, and AI playing a pivotal role, McLane is well-positioned to adapt to evolving market dynamics and deliver greater value to its customers and partners.