Is it possible to purchase goods to consume and do good for the planet at the same time? Yes. Procurement Manager Margot Wiggers is an expert on that. She is helping our suppliers fight against food waste by buying their surplus batches and giving those a new chance for life. Talk about a win-win situation. What is her secret to succeeding in this? How is she using her expertise to build a better future?
Margot (up in the middle) with the NL Procumerent team.
Before joining the Foodello–Fiksuruoka team in February 2023, Margot Wiggers was building a career on the supplier side of sales. Though she enjoyed her work, Margot found herself curious about what the negotiations looked like from the other side of the table. “I noticed an open position for a Procurement Manager position at Foodello–Fiksuruoka and was immediately interested. In this role, I get to combine my background in sustainability science with commercial work”, she says.
But what do the days of a Procurement Manager look like?
Margot’s typical day begins with reviewing offers from existing suppliers, negotiating prices, and ensuring a steady flow of quality products. “Fifty percent of my time is spent buying from relations we already have. So maintaining strong supplier relationships is really in the core of what I do”, she shares.
In addition to managing supplier relationships, Margot dedicates part of her day to evaluating the performance of recent purchases and adjusting prices accordingly. “Every day involves a bit of analysis to ensure we’re pricing our stock appropriately. It’s also important to understand which products are more popular than others and why. It allows us to make better purchases in the future for our customers but also give insights to our suppliers on how a certain product is expected to be sold”, she says.
Let’s dig a little deeper into how she is working with our suppliers. Because to be honest, we would not have any goods to be saved without our amazing supplier network who trust us to re-sell their products!
How does Margot help them to tackle this challenge? What are Margot’s key things for a successful supplier relationship?
Everything starts with a problem that needs to be solved. “Suppliers often face various challenges, from overproduction to packaging changes, which result in excess stock. Many suppliers deal with products that are close to their best-before dates, and we offer them a chance to sell these goods rather than pay for disposal”, Margot explains.
So, why do suppliers choose to partner with Foodello? Here are four reasons:
#1 Proximity to Best-Before Dates: Suppliers frequently have products nearing their expiration that supermarkets won’t accept due to strict shelf-life requirements.
#2 Packaging changes: When suppliers update their packaging, they often find themselves with large quantities of old-packaged products that can’t be sold to traditional retailers.
#3 Seasonal surplus: After major holidays or seasonal changes, suppliers are left with themed products that are no longer in demand.
#4 Changes in the assortment at the end of the value chain: Sometimes, when a big retailer decides to drop a product from their lineup, suppliers are left with a huge stock of that specific item because they usually produce it in advance.
“That’s when our team steps in to purchase these overstock items, turning potential waste into an opportunity for profit and making more sustainable choices”, Margot explains. Typically if Margot sees an opportunity to help out a supplier, she starts by getting in touch with them, figuring out their situation, and explaining how she could help them.
It is safe to say that aiming for more sustainable choices is not only a trend that will pass by. Consumers are more aware of how their actions affect the world around them. Margot has noticed this when working with different suppliers. “I can see a change between generations on the supplier side. The newer generation is more interested in sustainability and making it a top priority”, she points out. “I think it is great. If you are struggling and we could help you, why not work together?” Margot smiles.
With a background from the supplier side, Margot understands what are the keys to a successful supplier relationship. For Margot, it all starts with genuinely wanting to help and really understanding what the supplier needs.
"It’s about really understanding our suppliers' challenges and being there to support them."
"Building a relationship is about more than transactions. It’s about really understanding our suppliers' challenges and being there to support them. Helping out each other as you would do from human to human", Margot says.
Margot believes that the foundation of any successful supplier relationship is open and honest communication. It helps everyone stay on the same page. “Clear communication helps to avoid misunderstandings and builds trust”, she points out. This openness and trust pave the way for smoother negotiations and stronger partnerships. “Of course, I also enjoy working with the same suppliers as we get to know each other. It’s a win-win”, she says.
Understanding what each supplier is going through is another big part of Margot’s ways of working. She takes the time to get to know each supplier's unique challenges and needs so she can come up with solutions that work for everyone involved. “Every supplier is different, and recognizing their specific circumstances allows us to tailor solutions that work for both sides,” she notes.
Margot also believes in tackling problems together. She works hand-in-hand with suppliers to find solutions that benefit both sides, creating an atmosphere where they feel supported and appreciated. “Collaboration is key in this. Even though we both have business interests in mind that are separate from each other, we still share the same goal to fight against food waste,” Margot explains.
👉 Do you also want to prevent food waste by selling your surplus stock to Foodello? Get in touch with Margot and her team via [email protected]