René Verwegen

René Verwegen has a diverse work experience spanning over several industries. René currently serves as the Director of SCM & Procurement at The Surgical Company PTM, where they lead the logistics, purchasing, and customer service departments. Their responsibilities include professionalizing the purchasing department, implementing a product life-cycle management strategy, and transitioning from product-oriented thinking to customer-oriented thinking.

Before this, René worked at Mediq as the Managing Director of Medeco BV and Global Head of Own Brand Mediq from 2017 to 2022. During this time, they successfully led Medeco's transition from MDD to MDR and introduced new products and product lines to strengthen Mediq's own brand products position as a market leader.

From 2006 to 2017, René held various roles at Office Depot, including Head of Own Brand Development Europe and Senior Category Manager Europa. In these positions, they directed and centralized Office Depot's own brand product development, sourcing, procurement, quality compliance, sales, marketing, and branding activities across Europe.

René also has experience as the Managing Director and Co-owner of Fairretail BV 'Beter Baby', where they led the company's successful turnaround by improving overall performance and transforming it into a profitable retail chain.

Earlier in their career, René worked at Pets Place Boerenbond Retail B.V. as a Merchandising Manager, where they managed merchandising activities for Pet's Place. René also served as a Merchandising Manager at Toys"R"Us, responsible for merchandising, procurement, sales, and contribution during the ground zero start-up of the retail company in the Netherlands and Belgium.

René began their career at Royal Canin as a Product Manager, where they contributed to product management from 1986 to 1993.

René Verwegen obtained a Bachelor's degree in Commercial Economy from HBO University, which they attended from 1984 to 1987. Prior to that, from 1980 to 1983, they attended MDS to study Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. Additionally, René completed courses in Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management at Nevi, and Marketing at Nima A and Nima B. René also pursued further studies in negotiation, completing The Complete Skilled Negotiator program at The GAP Partnership and The Creative Negotiator program at The GAP Partnership.