Kronos Group Chair "Strategic Sourcing and Procurement"

A Unique Development Program in Belgium!

The Kronos Group Chair "Strategic Sourcing and Procurement" is the fruit of a collaboration between Kronos Group and Louvain School of Management, UCLouvain. It offers a unique learning opportunity in a very demanded field to students in Belgium.

Procurement is becoming highly strategic and critical to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of companies. New technologies and shorter deadlines for the introduction of new products reinforce this trend even more.

In addition, the recruitment of procurement professionals is a real challenge in Belgium, as Catherine Van Wonterghem from KRONOS GROUP confirms: "The Belgian market is in general full of qualified resources. Unfortunately, as no specific development program is given by our universities in Procurement, the use of workforce coming from other countries is often necessary. This Chair will be a unique opportunity to open new horizons for the younger generations in Belgium and develop them in a rapidly expanding profession".

Profs. Per Agrell (CORE, UCL), Constantin Blome (CORE, UCL) and Philippe Chevalier (CORE, UCL) coordinate this project sponsored by the Kronos Group, Belgium.

As of September 2018, courses in procurement will be proposed to more than 150 students in Business Engineering, Business Management and CEMS, which will lead to a master's level specialization in "Strategic Sourcing & Procurement".

Kronos Group will be actively involved in the Chair by bringing its expertise, participating to classes (case studies, thesis…) and helping students to start their career (projects, internships…).

“It will allow students in the 2nd year of Master to develop a strong background in Procurement. This will be an asset to find a job in this expanding market more easily” explains Prof. Per Agrell, Chairholder.

The Chair has been officially inaugurated on March 23, 2018 during a Gala regrouping more than 100 participants, among them many industry leaders in Belgium.

The program and content of the cursus will be shortly presented to the LSM Students.