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'My adventure at VDL started five years ago, when I joined VDL Packaging as a process improvement engineer. After a year, I made the step to Supply Chain Manager. In that role, I was responsible for purchasing, logistics and partly for spare parts sales. Now I am working in the same role at VDL NPS in Germany. So I have made quite a few steps in just a couple of years.
'I got off to a flying start at VDL Packaging. There I structured all kinds of business processes, including stock management. I streamlined that process and made it easier to manage using dashboards. This made stock management much more transparent. This did not go unnoticed. The controller from head office was very pleased that we were getting better ‘in control’ as a company. He saw that VDL NPS also needed to improve all kinds of processes and asked me to join him. That started with one or two days a week, now it is full-time. There are plenty of challenges in providing structure and insight. That's what I love doing the most.'
Cross-fertilisation
‘I get a lot of energy from my work when I notice that something is going better, faster or more easily. Seeing the impact of your work is surely the best compliment of all? But that doesn’t mean I always know best; I learn a lot from my colleagues. For example, I’m still developing my skills in the area of procurement. Central meetings are regularly organised for procurement staff to exchange knowledge. We learn a lot from one another because we face the same challenges. This cross-fertilisation between all the companies is great for my personal development, but it benefits the whole organisation. VDL is a large organisation and there’s so much in-house expertise; we need to make the most of it.’
A special collaboration
‘Before this, I worked at a small family business with a flat organisational structure. Now I experience that same flat structure at VDL too, but with far more opportunities for career progression. VDL comprises more than 100 companies, and the collaboration between all colleagues is truly special. At VDL, you’re given the trust and freedom to make decisions. As long as you do what you say and say what you do. And roll up your sleeves. That go-getter mentality, the ability to adapt quickly and ‘just get on with it’ is what I hope to embody at VDL NPS, as a relatively new member of the VDL family.’