In addition to training Albert Heijn's sourcing and category managers, Hovingh & Partners is now working with international teams from brands such as Alfa Beta, ENA, Maxi, Tempo, Mega Image, Etos, and Gall & Gall. This includes Buying Directors, Buying Managers, Sourcing Managers, and Category Managers across Greece, Serbia, the Netherlands, and Romania.
As the market becomes more competitive, Ahold Delhaize is focused on further professionalizing its sourcing and category manager community with process-based negotiation and influence training. The goal is to consistently meet or exceed purchasing targets, build stronger partnerships, and negotiate effectively—whether competitively or creatively, depending on the situation. Systematic preparation and fact-based negotiation processes are key.
"We tripled our savings versus last year"
Rembrandt Heerkens Thijssen
Strategic Procurement Lead
We’ve developed a fast-paced, practical learning solution that ensures the entire team speaks the same negotiation language. Using tailored tools, mixed rehearsal techniques, and real-life case studies, participants get hands-on practice in applying effective negotiation and influence principles. Leaders are trained and coached to drive change and improve daily negotiation behaviors, which further boosts results.
The project, designed in collaboration with local leaders, has been recognized as a best practice. Teams across different categories, brands, and countries are sharing valuable insights and taking their negotiation skills to the next level.
Hovingh & Partners are global experts in ENS Negotiation and Influencing®
Learn More About Ahold Delhaize
The Challenge
Professionalisation sourcing & category management
The Solution
A fast paced, intensive and practical learning solution is designed to get the entire team to speak the same negotiation language and to apply a tailored set of straightforward negotiation and influencing preparation tools
The Result
A new best practice for the entire group and reaching increasing purchasing targets, tripling savings versus last year.
About Ahold Delhaize
Ahold Delhaize is one of the world’s largest food retail groups, a leader in supermarkets and e-commerce, and a company at the forefront of sustainable retailing. Our family of great brands serves more than 50 million shoppers each week in the United States, Europe and Indonesia.
Interested in learning more about negotiation?
Download our e-guide
How can leaders influence more effectively - An expert's guide to effective influencing, persuasion and negotiation techniques in a leadership role
Download e-Guide