Backed by Giuseppe—an artificial intelligence tool—NotCo mimics animal-based products and now entering in the snack market with their new launch in Protein Bars feature Plant-based and slow-release carbs. Born in Chile six years ago, NotCo has quickly become a global player in the plant-based food market. The company operates in Latin America, the United States, and Canada. At the helm of the company’s procurement decisions is Ariadna Fernandez, Global Procurement Manager at NotCo. Using Vesper, she fine-tunes her buying strategy for LATAM-sourced vegetable oils like coconut, sunflower, and soy.
Joining NotCo was nothing short of a challenging shift for Ariadna, who had previously navigated her career through industry titans like Danone and Unilever. At NotCo, she is responsible for cultivating new supplier relationships, sourcing novel plant-based ingredients, and optimizing procurement processes across various countries. “Given that we are a fairly new food-tech company, integrating tools like Vesper has been invaluable in achieving our short-term productivity goals,” Ariadna notes.
“Vesper was intriguing right from the start. It became more than just a tool; it became an asset.”
From a two-week trial to a long-term commitment
Her journey with Vesper began with a two-week trial. “Vesper was intriguing right from the start. It became more than just a tool; it became an asset,” Ariadna continues. While Ariadna utilizes multiple procurement tools, Vesper stands out for its forecasting features. Not just a snapshot of current market trends, Vesper offers detailed future forecasts and price trends in the oil and fats market. “For instance, when the Ukraine-Russia conflict escalated, Vesper’s invaluable market intelligence guided us to cover our procurement needs for 12 months instead of our usual 6-month planning. The result? Optimal costs, particularly in Argentina and Brazil,” Ariadna elaborates.
“Your Oils and Fats WhatsApp group allows us to exchange insights not typically found on digital platforms.”
Vesper’s community approach
Another aspect that sets Vesper apart is their determination to foster industry connections. “Your Oils and Fats WhatsApp group allows us to exchange insights not typically found on digital platforms. It gives an added layer of market knowledge, further strengthening my negotiation power,” Ariadna adds. The Vesper Shipping widget, powered by Xeneta, provides an additional layer of leverage in negotiations. “It’s a tactical advantage when sellers try to justify price hikes due to increased shipping costs,” she explained.
The right platform for a complex role
As someone tasked with managing a diverse portfolio of ingredients, Ariadna finds Vesper to be a perfect fit for NotCo. “I may not be an expert in every market, but Vesper equips me to make expert-level decisions. It offers reliable information in an easy-to-use platform that empowers me to make sound procurement decisions confidently,” she concludes.
