As head of purchasing, Alexander D. and his team in Saarlouis ensure that the right materials of the right quality are always available at the right time.
Strategy plus sensitivity: approaching purchasing with passion, reflection, and a great deal of openness
Manufacturing requires materials—and that’s where Alexander D. and his purchasing team come in. He particularly values the streamlined decision-making processes and the transparent company culture at Ludwig Schokolade.
How would you describe your job at Ludwig Schokolade?
Alongside my team of 20 people, I’m responsible for purchasing packaging and raw materials, as well as for technical systems and contracts for new buildings. We also handle scheduling, so we ensure that the right products of the right quality are always available at the right time. Our good partnerships with our suppliers are a very important factor in this process. Some of these relationships have existed for decades—and that pays off. During the pandemic, for instance, we were able to keep supplying our customers while some of our competitors couldn’t.
How long have you been with the company? And how did you come to Ludwig Schokolade in the first place?
In 2017, I transferred from a mechanical engineering company to the food industry, to Ludwig Schokolade. And I had no problem finding my feet, thanks to my incredible team here in Saarlouis. All of them are fully up to speed on the latest developments in our field, and on top of that, they’re just great people. They quickly showed me the ropes of the food industry. At the same time, they were all really open to the new ideas I brought from the mechanical engineering sector.
“If you want to make an impact here, you’ll find plenty of people willing to listen to your ideas. I like the streamlined decision-making processes and the feeling that I can make a real difference.”
What aspect of your job is the most fun?
I actually love tricky tasks: a difficult negotiation, a process that has gone wonky. I’m at my best when I’m trying to find a solution to a difficult problem, either on my own or with my team. The best part is that we have highly streamlined decision-making processes here at Ludwig Schokolade. When we come up with an idea, I can call our management right away, and they generally give me their decision within a matter of days, or sometimes even a few hours.
Is that one of the reasons why you work here?
Yes. My team is fantastic, as are my bosses, and the way we collaborate is amazing too. I also love how innovative we are as a company. We wanted to start using more sustainable packaging, for instance, so we now work with mono-composite films, which are recyclable. Many of our competitors haven’t gotten to that point yet. And one other very important thing: Our company actually embodies its pro-diversity values. We have people from lots of different countries, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and a range of religions—everyone can be themselves here, and they are respected and valued. I personally feel the impact of that every day, and I find it incredibly motivating.
