Francis van der Wey Bedrijfsleider

Francis van der Wey (37) started in the purchasing department at VDL Bus Heerenveen. After a few months in the after-sales department for public transport buses, she was seconded to VDL Wientjes Roden. Here she started again in the purchasing department and eventually grew to her current position, operations manager.

How did you end up at VDL?
‘After studying Agricultural Business Administration, I ended up at VDL Bus Heerenveen. Because I had chosen the specialisation financial & logistics at school, the purchasing department was a logical step for me. Then I was seconded to VDL Wientjes Roden. This company is very different from a bus company, so I liked it. In consultation, I was therefore also allowed to stay in Roden.’

What makes VDL Wientjes Roden a fun company to work for?
‘We make various plastic parts. That makes the work very diverse. We do operations like vacuum forming, machining, milling, assembly, we have a quality department and a warehouse with technical service. I notice when I take outsiders to our factory that they find it quite impressive. A plastics factory is very different from any other kind of factory. It is very big, clean, and has a lot of big machines.’

What makes your current position as operations manager fun?
‘Some vacancies are first posted internally.So was the vacancy for company manager. I thought it would be a nice challenge. It was really nice to hear that they also had confidence in me and that I could give it a try. Now, together with the assistant manager, I manage around 60 people. I am learning in this every day with occasional trial and error.’

What has been the biggest challenge in your role as operations manager?
‘Since I started as operations manager, three new machines have been added. A moulding machine, milling machine and turning & milling machine. That is a challenge every time to keep production running without delays while people are being trained and machines are being changed. It also always gives a huge kick when it is then successful and everything is running again.’

Do you feel part of VDL Groep?
‘I definitely feel that VDL Wientjes Roden is part of a bigger picture. We recently went to the VDL Festival with colleagues. That was a really nice evening! For once you see your colleagues in their everyday clothes instead of their work clothes. You also meet colleagues' partners. That creates a huge bond. When I was in the purchasing department, I had a lot of contact with the head office purchasing department. They helped me draw up new contracts, for example.’