A great purchasing strategy isn't just about knowing when to order; it is also about securing the best possible conditions for your business when you do.

In this 30-minute webinar, our Customer Success Manager, Albertine, shares expert tips on how to effectively negotiate with your suppliers. Moving beyond just haggling over the base price, you will discover five distinct dimensions you can leverage to create win-win agreements, improve your cash flow, and optimise your inventory.

Because this webinar was originally recorded in Dutch, you can easily use YouTube's auto-translate feature to watch the session with English subtitles (or any other language you prefer!).

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If you are short on time, here is a quick recap of the core negotiation dimensions Albertine discusses to help you get more value out of your supplier contracts:

The most common negotiation point. While asking for a lower base price is standard, you can also negotiate tiered volume discounts. Use Optiply's forecasting data to confidently commit to larger annual volumes in exchange for a better unit price today.

High MOQs tie up your capital in deadstock. Negotiating a lower MOQ—even if the unit price stays the same—can drastically improve your cash flow and allow for leaner, more frequent ordering.

Time is money. Negotiating shorter lead times directly reduces the amount of buffer stock you need to hold in your warehouse. A faster, more reliable delivery schedule makes your entire supply chain more efficient.

Instead of paying up front, can you negotiate Net-30 or Net-60 payment terms? Extending the time you have to pay your invoices allows you to sell the inventory before you actually have to pay the supplier for it, massively improving your working capital.

Who pays for the freight? Negotiating better shipping terms (like having the supplier cover the transport costs if your order hits a certain value) can significantly increase your gross margin without ever touching the actual product price.

Suppliers often have strict limits on how low they can drop their unit price to protect their own margins. However, they are usually much more flexible on operational terms like MOQs or Payment Terms. Lowering your MOQ or extending your payment window can actually be more financially beneficial to your cash flow than a tiny discount on the product itself!

Data is your best negotiation tool! By using Optiply's reporting, you can show your supplier exactly how much volume you expect to purchase over the next 12 months. When you bring concrete forecasting data to the table, suppliers are much more willing to offer favourable terms.

It is never too late! A supplier relationship is a living partnership. If your order volumes have grown, or if you consistently pay your invoices on time, use that proven track record as leverage to ask for better terms during your next quarterly or annual review.