Supplier Diversity & Inclusion
“As America’s grocer, we believe our stores and products should reflect the customers and communities we serve. That’s why we are committed to building an inclusive, equitable and sustainable supply chain that enables diverse suppliers to grow their business and provide our customers with the foods they crave.”
– Rodney McMullen
Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Program
At Kroger, we know that a diverse supply chain strengthens our business, improves our customer experience and supports our communities.
We take an intentional approach to fostering the growth and development of certified diverse-owned business enterprises through our Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Program. The program streamlines Kroger’s procurement process, helping connect businesses of all sizes and sectors with the appropriate decision makers within our enterprise. Over the past 40 years, the program has played an important role in developing Kroger’s diverse supplier network by helping businesses:
- Determine if their products and/or services align with our company’s strategies
- Understand our customers’ needs and trends in the marketplace
- Establish partnerships and grow their impact across our 35-state footprint
We believe this holistic approach results in strong partnerships and better business outcomes.
What is a diverse business?
A company that is certified as being owned, managed and controlled by a diverse individual(s).
Kroger’s Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Program recognizes the following diverse classifications:
- Ethnic-Minority
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBTQ)
- Person with a disability
- Veteran (Disabled and Service Disabled)
- Woman
As Kroger continues to grow, we are committed to doing our part to ensure that diverse businesses have equal footing when partnering with our family of companies, shaping the Kroger customer experience and growing their business with us. Kroger has numerous opportunities for diverse suppliers and our approaches to supplier inclusion are as varied as the businesses and individuals with which we partner.
Our Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Policy
It is the policy of The Kroger Co. that certified Diverse-Owned Business Enterprises have the opportunity to participate and compete for Kroger contracts.
Our Role
Kroger’s Supplier Diversity & Inclusion team works hand-in-hand with prospective and established supplier partners to:
- Answer initial questions from prospective diverse businesses
- Serve as an advocate for diverse supplier partners
- Promote an “open door” atmosphere within the company that provides guidance and consultation to potential diverse suppliers
Certifications
We partner with the following national certifying organizations who are accepted by the Billion Dollar Roundtable to further our supplier diversity and inclusion goals and develop diverse supplier relationships:
- Disability:IN
- National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
Kroger recommends prospective diverse suppliers pursue certification with the appropriate organizations for their business. We also recognize certification from the following national organizations:
- CAMSC
- CGLCC
- Integrare – Brazil
- MSDChina
- Minority Supplier Development – UK
- NaVOBA
- OUTBritain
- South African Minority Supplier Development Council
- Supply Nation – Australia
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA)
- U.S. Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce (USPACC)
- WBE-Canada
- WECONNECT
Becoming a Kroger Supplier
To join our family of suppliers, start with these three steps:
- Review our New Vendor Checklist.
- Explore diverse supplier certifications with the certifying organizations listed above.
- If you are not a current Kroger supplier you may click here to begin the qualification process in Kroger’s vendor management system, Supplier Hub.
- Then, please email your company’s capability statement to supplierdiversity@kroger.com. Note: This process does not guarantee a contract with Kroger’s family of companies.
Questions?
Contact us at supplierdiversity@kroger.com.
Additional Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Resources
