Wednesday, January 4, 2017

UNFI Supplier Community Update - January 2017

Happy New Year!  Thanks for checking out our first post of 2017.  


UNFI Contacts

Updated contact lists have been posted on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site for your convenience:



Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Updates

New Team Focuses on Supplier Onboarding

UNFI’s newly created Supplier Onboarding Team will be responsible for enhancing the new supplier onboarding experience with significant hands-on support and communication throughout the entire process.  Julie Roper, Supplier Onboarding Manager, leads the team.  Reporting to Julie are Supplier Onboarding Specialists, Jessica LaPlante, Michelle Vancini, Daniel Murphy and Jamie Quebec.

First Installment of UNFI Education Series - Deductions

Check out the first installment of our Supplier Education 101 Series – Deductions 101.  Our next topic will be Inbound Logistics – be on the lookout!

UNFI Policy Reminder

As part of UNFI’s Supplier Policies, “price protection” means a credit for the difference between UNFI's previous invoice price and the new lower invoice price. UNFI requires a 90-day price change notification and price protection on all affected products inventoried by UNFI, as of the effective date of any price decrease.

This policy is not new and the expectation is for all our Supplier partners to work with UNFI to ensure our price is protected in the event there is a price decrease.  Please contact your Supplier Relationship Manager should you have questions/concerns relating to this policy.

Holiday 2017.  Already?

It’s hard to believe, but UNFI is already preparing for Holiday 2017.  Sign up soon to participate in our 2017 4th Quarter Holiday Programs. Deadlines:

  • January 9 for our Holiday Pre-order Program
  • February 24 for our Holiday Essentials Program

Contact your SRM or Emma Padden. Click here for more information.


NEW Digital HEALTHY Clippings® Coupons

Our newest digital option launches in 2017:  HEALTHY Clippings® digital “click to print” coupons.  Feature your best sellers or steer consumers to your newest items.  Contact Alana Mahdalik or your SRM.


Connect with Consumers through UNFI’s Celebration Programs

April’s program focuses on “Good for You and Good for the Earth”. This can include B-Corporation brands, sustainable cleaning and body care, certified humane and more!   May’s focus is Gluten Free – with more consumers than ever before exploring Gluten Free diets, take this opportunity to stand out from the rest.  Contact your SRM or celebrations@unfi.comClick here for more information.


Haddon House Integration News

Team Updates

UNFI and Haddon House have integrated our Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and Inventory Planning and Replenishment (IPAR) teams.   

Mark Hackenberry, in his new role of National Director, Gourmet and Ethnic Supplier Relationship Managers (SRM), will remain in the Medford, NJ office. He will manage the combined Gourmet and Ethnic Supplier Relationship Management team comprised of associates located in Providence RI, and Medford NJ.

Haddon House Richburg DC Conversion

The conversion of Haddon’s Richburg DC to UNFI systems is well under way and we are scheduled to go-live the weekend of January 27, 2017.  The changes include implementation of UNFI’s purchasing, warehouse management and order processing technologies.

As part of the conversion event, the Richburg DC will have a period of down time in which we cannot accept deliveries. We will provide more details on the period of downtime in the coming weeks and you will be contacted directly if you will be impacted.

Changes to Contacts and Ordering

Haddon House suppliers will experience some changes as a result of the team integration and systems conversion:
  1. Your Buyer and Supplier Relationship Manager may change. Please refer to the updated Buyer Assignment List. Your Supplier Relationship Manager will not be changing at this time, but will change in early 2017 when we review Supplier Relationship Manager assignments.
  2. Haddon House Purchase Orders will now be in the UNFI Business System (UBS) format. On the new Purchase Orders, you will see only cost of goods and off invoice promotions as their own line item. Allowances will not be included as separate line items on the invoice. 
  3. Order patterns and quantities may shift. Inventory Optimization (IO), UNFI’s inventory and purchasing technology, takes into account demand, sales history, and lead time to determine an optimal ordering frequency. For example, you may no longer receive orders on the same day (e.g., every Tuesday) as you do now. Buyers will communicate any expected shifts in ordering patterns to reduce impact to your production. IO also takes into account promotional activity and lead time to optimize order quantities. For example, you may see an increase in purchases during promotional periods. 
  4. No changes will occur to receiving schedules in the Richburg Distribution Center leading up to or immediately after conversion. There may be adjustments after UNFI and Haddon House have evaluated the delivery territories and options for servicing customers. 

Haddon House Supplier Collect and Vendor Ship Changes


After the conversions of the Richburg and Howell Distribution Centers, there will be changes to collect and vendor ship procedures.

  • Suppliers moving from Collect to Vendor Ship: After each DC conversion, all Purchase Orders will need to be delivered to the Richburg and Howell DCs if we are now unable to pick them up. 
  • Suppliers moving from Vendor Ship to Collect: After each DC conversion, UNFI will be picking up Purchase Orders for the Richburg and Howell DCs at the same time that other UNFI Purchase Orders are picked-up.


Your UNFI buyer will be contacting you shortly to discuss this topic and if it will impact your current procedures with UNFI.

Haddon House Promotions, DMDs and Show Deals

We have received quite a few questions regarding Deals of Massive Discount (DMD), Creative Merchandiser promotions, and Show Deals that were negotiated with Haddon House. Here is a summary of the current state of our integration as well as steps you should take if you have questions or concerns:
  • As of December 15, 2016, Haddon House and UNFI are operating out of the same purchasing system, Inventory Optimization.
  • All off invoice deals that were negotiated with Haddon House for the 2016 Haddon House Shows are being captured and implemented in Haddon House and UNFI business systems and are expected to be honored as presented and agreed upon with Haddon House
  • If you are in need of proof of an off invoice deal, please contact Melissa Carpineto.
  • Moving forward, be sure to use the UNFI Promotional Forms.  The information will be entered in both UNFI and Haddon House systems until the conversion.

Deductions Changes for Haddon House Suppliers

UNFI offers several programs to help you grow your business. Specific details on programs are available from your Supplier Relationship Manager. Costs for program participation are deducted from payments to your company.

Examples of our programs include:
  • Manufacturer Chargebacks: Monthly and weekly programs based on product sales and quality
  • Supplier Programs: Supplier event and marketing programs
  • Marketing: UNFI marketing, events, and advertising programs
To submit questions about deductions or to request repayment, please complete the Deduction Dispute Form and submit it with supporting documentation to deductions@unfi.com.

Gourmet Guru Integration

Thank you for your continued support of the integration between UNFI and Gourmet Guru. We’re excited about the benefits it will bring Guru suppliers, including a new geographic reach, access to UNFI resources, and opportunities to expand into new customer bases.

At this time, we are beginning to relocate items from the Gourmet Guru Bronx facility to UNFI and Haddon House Distribution Centers, based on geographic proximity, customer-specific long hauls, and existing business. When complete, on or around May 2017, our goal is for all Gourmet Guru suppliers, customers, and associates to be fully integrated into UNFI. 

Use Current Forms for Faster Processing

The use of the latest UNFI forms allows for rapid processing of new items, vendors and changes through automated processes. Current forms are posted on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site
·       Pack Change form
·       Inbound Logistics (IBL) freight form
·       Cost Change form
·       New Item Form (NIF).  We prefer that suppliers use UNFI’s Supplier Portal to submit new items, but if you must use the excel form, please be sure to download the current version.

2017 Tabletop Shows - Discover What’s Next at UNFI!

UNFI’s 2017 Tabletop Shows will include suppliers from UNFI, Albert’s Organics, Select Nutrition, Tony’s Fine Foods and NorCal Produce -- offering our customers something for every part of the store.

Orlando Tabletop Show: February 7-8, 2017; SOLD OUT

Haddon House Spring Expo: May 2-4, 2017
  • Location: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando Florida. 
  • This Expo offers over 500 booths filled with specialty, natural and organic offerings. 
  • Over 450 vendors will be in attendance.
  • Vendor invitations will be emailed the week of January 16th.
  • Contact Bonnie Worrell 609-654-7901 Ext. 275 with any questions

Foxwoods Tabletop Show: May 17-18, 2017
  • Featuring the new Wellness Experience Area and FRESH destination! Tables still available in these categories.
  • Open to suppliers from UNFI, Select Nutrition, Albert’s Organics and Tony’s Fine Foods
  • The main exhibit hall is sold out. Email events@unfi.com to be placed on the waitlist.

Pacific Region Tabletop Show: May 23-24, 2017; New location -- Long Beach Convention Center 
  • Open to suppliers from UNFI, Select Nutrition, Albert’s Organics, NorCal Produce and Tony’s Fine Foods
  • Tables are still available but going quickly - Register now: http://www.cvent.com/d/vfqs6y


UNFI Freight Service Saves You Time and Money

Let UNFI handle getting your products to our distribution centers. We offer competitive, national freight rates and a dedicated truck fleet to all our warehouses.  
  • We take ownership of your product at the moment we pick it up
  • We pay the unloading and appointment fees for you
  • We plan the fastest, most cost effective way to move your products.
  • We have state-of-the-art supply chain technology for highest quality control

For more details please contact Jennifer Leite.

Deductions Tracking Now Available in the East

UNFI East Region is now providing weekly status updates on deduction disputes. The updates will allow you to track disputes through the UNFI system from the point of submission to resolution. To sign up to receive weekly updates on the status of your dispute please send an email request, including the email address where you would like updates sent, to deductions@unfi.com.

UNFI Next - the Pipeline Pioneer for Emerging Brands 

The UNFI Next team continues to grow as we welcome new Regional Supplier Development Managers focused on emerging brands in key markets across the U.S.  The Next team curates and incubates emerging brands to bring these brands into distribution at UNFI and support their growth at retail.  Here’s how we define an Emerging Brand for UNFI Next:

·       Brands/Products that disrupt their category
·       Products that are on-trend with key industry/category trends
·       New or break-through product entries to the market

The UNFI Next program is for early launch phase suppliers that are not currently in distribution at UNFI and are building their brands and placements at retail.  We offer a high level of support, education and mentorship throughout a brand’s onboarding and growth at UNFI.  If you believe your brand may be a fit for the program and you do not currently work with UNFI, please reach out to the Regional Supplier Development Manager in your area to discuss UNFI Next.  If there is no Regional Supplier Development Manager in your region, please reach out to Kimberly Bentz.

Our Regional Supplier Development Team includes:

Kimberly Bentz, Supplier Development Group Manager
Wendy Savoie, Regional Supplier Development Manager, Northeast
Rebecca Quinn-Herich, Supplier Development Manager, Midwest
Suman Lawrence, Regional Supplier Development Manager, Southwest
Michael Costello, Regional Supplier Development Manager, Mountain
Beril Ancel, Regional Supplier Development Manager, NorCal/SoCal
Jen Pletscher, Regional Supplier Development Manager, PacNW
Kayla Davis, Supplier Development Support Specialist



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