Meet Rico
'At Action, you can make a difference and immediately see the impact of your work.'
Rico Koopman, Transport Process ExpertAbout Rico
Rico Koopman was still working on his master’s thesis when he was approached by several recruiters. Most of the messages remained unread, but one was addressed to him directly, from an Action recruiter. A choice with a positive consequence. Two weeks after completing his master’s degrees in Transport & Supply Chain Management and Finance at Vrije Universiteit, he started as a process expert at Action’s headquarters in Zwaagdijk.
So what exactly was in that message from the Action recruiter?
"Most of the messages I received back then were quite impersonal. Just copied and pasted. The Action’s recruiter really took the time to look at my profile; she even referred to my experience as a ski instructor abroad. We then spoke on the telephone, and I noticed that it was such an open conversation. We succeeded in expressing our expectations on both sides. Zwaagdijk is about 40 kilometres from your home – what do you think about that? And when it comes to salary, you need to think about this amount – what do you think? The Action’s recruiter didn't beat around the bush, which immediately felt right."
What do your working weeks as a process expert look like?
"I am constantly working on improvements, efficiency and process optimisations on the transport side. At the beginning of the week, we always meet as a team to discuss what we have done, what we are going to do now and what is on the agenda for the future. The main purpose of this moment is to inform each other and see where we can help each other, as you will work independently on your projects for the rest of the week. Sometimes, I work from home and sometimes at the office. In addition, I also organise my working days myself. I really like that freedom. Currently, I am working on increasing the understanding of transport flows from the hubs to the distribution centres. For example, how can we make sure that late loads arrive on time? Or that a distribution centre knows in time that a shipment is delayed? We also have to deal with low-emission zones in large cities. Fewer and fewer trucks are being allowed into the city. Should we use smaller vehicles? And what does this mean for planning and finances? These kinds of questions keep me busy every day."
'You can learn so much during your studies, but it's only in practice that you start to apply it.'
How has Action surprised you in recent months?
'Action is a big company and still growing. Despite its size, the processes are not set in stone. Initiative is always appreciated; you can really make a difference here. When you implement an improvement, you immediately see the impact in areas such as costs, emissions, and ease of work. For example, we save thousands of euros per year by using fewer trucks. My highlight of the past few months is that I've learned so much in such a short time. You gain a lot of knowledge during your studies, but it's only in practice that you truly learn.'
What do you think of your team and what is the atmosphere among colleagues?
'In general, everyone here is level-headed and straightforward. Sharing your opinion is valued; you don't just have to say yes. This kind of culture suits me well. In my team, we help each other, we do our best for each other and there is no sense of competition; that works well. We also have a great time together, often going for a drink or a bite to eat. All in all, the content of my work, the steep learning curve, and the atmosphere at Action ensure that I'll be staying for a while.'