Mercadona has restructured its purchasing division, redefining how integrated suppliers and specialist suppliers are managed across two general directorates. In the new framework, Paco Espert, who previously led Dry Recipe, now oversees the general management of Dry Purchases and Recipe. Raphael Berrocal will head Sea, Fruit, Vegetable and Fresh Bread Buying, guiding the overall strategy for Sea, Fruit, Vegetable, Bakery and Bread Purchasing.
This reorganization supports Mercadona’s aim to strengthen supplier relationships within its action units, reinforcing its competitive edge as the company continues along the Totaler path. The plan prioritizes specialization, shared leadership, and trust. Since 2018, Mercadona has invested heavily in building and training teams, creating a workforce spanning purchasing and prescribing functions, now numbering around 1,200 people. The leadership team will recognize the collaboration of directors and general managers joining the new departments. Josemi Fernandez is noted as the person who communicated the decision to depart from the company, acknowledging his five-year contribution and commitment. These changes are part of a broader movement toward a product specialization model that began in 2018, a journey aimed at meeting the quality standards demanded by the Mercadona model and advancing toward a supply chain that is agile, efficient, and sustainable for both suppliers and customers.
Growth
Mercadona describes its supplier relationships as built on transparency and trust, with a shared commitment to quality and expertise. The collaboration is designed to enable joint growth, secure top quality, achieve competitive pricing, and deliver excellent service across every product category. The company also highlights ethical production criteria linked to sustainable practices.
By the end of 2022, Mercadona was working with around 3,000 specialist product suppliers, with total purchases reaching 23.112 billion euros. The majority of activity occurred in Spain, accounting for 22.323 billion euros, while Portugal represented 789 million euros. This framework supports Mercadona’s ongoing expansion in international markets, including Canada and the United States, by reinforcing robust supplier networks, efficient procurement, and a commitment to sustainability across all product categories. The emphasis on transparency, trust, and shared success underpins the company’s ability to provide consistent value to customers in new regions while maintaining established standards.
Citations from leadership and corporate communications confirm ongoing initiatives toward a service model that emphasizes agility, expertise, and ethical sourcing. The evolution of Mercadona’s purchasing approach continues to shape how suppliers interact with the business, fostering a collaborative environment where quality and efficiency drive long-term success for all parties involved. This summary reflects information provided by Mercadona executives and corporate communications sources.