GRUPO HERDEZ
He explains how this alignment works in practice:“ It goes in layers – it’ s the big strategy of the company, it’ s the supply chain strategy, then it’ s the sourcing and procurement strategy and each of those are aligned perfectly in order to be sure that if we do something in procurement, we are really impacting the strategy of Grupo Herdez ®.”
Within this framework, the supply chain department operates with a clear purpose: to provide reliable service at competitive costs. This dual focus forms the foundation of its competitive advantage in the market.
“ If we manage to do those things at the same time, we will be giving Grupo Herdez ® a competitive advantage,” says Javier.
Prioritising supplier selection When selecting suppliers, Grupo Herdez ® employs a structured approach with nonnegotiable baseline requirements.
Javier emphasises that all potential suppliers must first sign a code of conduct:“ I cannot work with a supplier that hasn’ t signed. We want to make sure that any company working with Grupo Herdez ® has those basics covered.”
The code encompasses crucial aspects such as sustainability, ethics, community impact and environmental considerations. It establishes the fundamental expectations that Grupo Herdez ® has for its supplier relationships before discussions about price or terms even begin.
Beyond this foundation, supplier evaluation extends to financial stability, operational capabilities and categoryspecific requirements, as Javier explains:
“What we changed when we implemented strategic sourcing was this new mindset around supplier relationship management”
JAVIER CARNEVALI PENELLA, CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER, GRUPO HERDEZ ®
128 May 2025