Harald Lek

Harald Lek gained over 20 years of commercial experience in food retail, food service and the fast moving consumer goods industry before starting up his own business as an independent commercial strategy consultant. He held senior commercial management positions at Albert Heijn, Heineken, Makro/Metro and Marqt. For Albert Heijn, Makro and Marqt he organized startup pitch events to connect young entrepreneurs with retail and wholesale managers. He also coached startups in the field of selling to & negotiating with buyers.

Next to his expertise in category management and sourcing, Harald has a special interest in driving change in the food system through products that are healthy for both people and planet. With his extensive network in retail Harald is especially equipped to mentoring startups with a business to consumer proposition in food.

Skills and field of expertise

• Food retail & service
• Supplier-retailer cooperation and partnerships
• Buying/Sourcing
• Negotiating
• Category Management
• Health & Sustainability agenda in retail

Offer

Please reach out if you want to better understand the food retail or food service industry. With over 20 years of experience in Buying & Category Management at large retailers and food production companies, I can offer my industry knowledge and my network for reaching out to specific retailers or wholesalers specialized in supplier-retailer cooperation and partnerships. If you want to reach out to corporates, I can share you valuable do’s and don’ts. I am happy to share my successful approach in relationship management with you and provide you with feedback on your proposition to corporates.

Interest

Startups with business-to-consumer propositions that aim to change the food system in a sustainable way.

Personal quote  

“Make your pitch RETAIL: Realistic, Evidence based, To the point, Ambitiously quantified, Impactful, and Linked to the customer’s strategy.”