Hi IFCO! 👊 🥬

I’m happy to announce my new adventure as VP Digital for Software and Data Development at IFCO. IFCO is a German company operating globally in the Food and Supply Chain space making a better world by its offering of sustainable and recyclable packaging solutions.

About IFCO

IFCO offers a sustainable pooling and reusable packaging solutions for fresh food growers, producers, distributors and retailers. I’m sure you have seen these foldable classic design boxes in your favorite supermarket.

Crates (a.k.a as RPC, no, not Remote Procedure Calls to my developer colleagues) are delivered to the growers, used to transport the food to the retailers, pick them up, washed, and reintroduced in the game. If any crate is broken, it can be easily repaired and/or rebuild to reduce a new manufacturing process. A classic Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

The main alternative to IFCO RPCs are carbon/wood/paper boxes. They are not really recyclable due to getting dirty (most of them are burnt in the Retailer), or not strong enough (damaging the food inside shortening food life). Other alternatives are non reciclable plastic like polystyrene, the white plastic mini-balls used for fish.

Additionally, according to multiple studies and quoting IFCO website: “an incredible 40 percent of the world’s fresh produce is lost post-harvest or wasted at retail and consumer level. Urgent for the environment, best for business”

What is all of this related with software and data?

That’s a good question, what if I told you that boxes have RFID, Bluetooth Low Energy, GPS, temperature sensors, shocking sensors, and other cool gadgets. Mix all of those data with the offer and demand data of all the supply chain. The result, so much opportunities for all players in the chain, and for the planet.

Considering the volumes of RPCs and the corresponding operations, any improvement may impact saving millions of EURs or generating new revenue streams. I’m joining IFCO to do so.

Looking for profiles

We are creating a remote-first Digital Hub based in Barcelona that will own multiple digital initiatives. We are looking for Software Developers, Data Engineers, and Data Science people.

For those you don’t know me, I love software development and data, fun of Agile and especially Extreme Programming, Domain-Driven Design, and delivering maximum business value by releasing high quality software earlier, more frequently. You can take a look to my GitHub or LinkedIn, or approach me directly via email at carlos.buenosvinos@ifco.com.

Team

On top, I will be able to work back again with Sebastian Grams, former CIO of SEAT & CUPRA and former Managing Director of Audi Sports. Together, we successfully led the SEAT:CODE initiative and when he called me to share the challenges I didn’t doubt it. Among lots of qualities, Sebastian shares with a lot leadership values like the importance of leading with humor, focusing on results, and technology is a means to an end to impact the business.