Welcome to my profile which provides a quick synopsis of who I am in terms of interests, accomplishments, traits, and qualifications.
On this platform, I regularly share opinionated and informative pieces covering a broad spectrum of topics that capture my interest and reflect current global events. My writing explores a diverse range of subjects, including:
- (Geo)politics and Current Affairs: Analyzing the shifting global landscape.
- Economics and Globalization: Understanding the forces shaping our interconnected world.
- The European Union: Insights into European integration and policy.
- History: Drawing parallels between the past and the present.
- Food and Nutritional Innovation: Exploring the future of what we eat.
- Technology and AI: Examining the impact of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
Below, you will also find a detailed overview of my professional experience and educational background.
Some keywords that describe me:
Myers Briggs: ENTP • International Sales Management • Business Development • Innovation • Commercial Lead • Team Management • Food Industry • FMCG • Consultancy • Solution Selling • Strategic Planning and Implementation • Multilingual • Creative • Results Driven • Lean • Sustainability • Out of the Box • Communicator • Humor (!)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Aviko Rixona (Royal Cosun): 2022-present
Sales Manager France, UK, Spain and Portugal
Aviko Rixona is a leading manufacturer of dehydrated potato granules and potato flakes. Our products are supplied to the food industry, food service and retail sectors in more than 100 countries on all six continents.
I am in charge of sales and business development of the industrial, food service and retail markets in France, the UK, Spain and Portugal.
Skills: Entrepreneurship · Pro-active Leader · Sales Management · Multilingual · International Business · international sales · Business Development · FMCG · Foreign Languages · sales · Food
SKB Cases: 2019-2022
Area Sales Manager UK, France and Mediterranean
SKB Cases is a US manufacturer dedicated to travel, storage, and shipping protection needs for music, pro audio, sporting goods and industrial applications including government and military contract fulfillment. SKB is recognized globally as an industry leader in the design and manufacture of molded polymer transport cases.
I had overall commercial responsibility for the industrial and retail markets, mainly military and audio, in France, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Skills: Entrepreneurship · Pro-active Leader · Sales Management · Multilingual · International Business · international sales · Business Development · Foreign Languages · sales
Lefebvre Sdu: 2016-2019
Team Lead (2017-2019)
Lefebvre Sdu is part of (French) Lefebvre Sarrut, the European market leader in providing services to professionals in the field of law and regulations.
I used to work in the Company (Legal) Compliance segment – Chemicals (see description below).
Skills: Entrepreneurship · Pro-active Leader · Sales Management · Multilingual · International Business · Team Leadership · international sales · Business Development · Leadership · Management · Foreign Languages · sales
Team Lead France (2017)
Responsible for the international rollout of Toxic (SaaS) in France. I set up the sales and marketing process and managed the French team.
Skills: Entrepreneurship · Pro-active Leader · Sales Management · Multilingual · International Business · Team Leadership · international sales · Business Development · Leadership · Management · Foreign Languages · sales
Sales Consultant (2016)
Involved in the launch of a new SaaS business unit (company compliance chemicals) and shaping and improving the sales organization.
Skills: Entrepreneurship · Sales Management · Multilingual · International Business · Business Development · sales
Thijssen Translations: 2006-2015
Founder/owner
Director/owner of Thijssen Translations (vertaaldiensten.com, Vertaalbureau Amsterdam, Vertaalbureau Maastricht, Vertaalbureau Rotterdam, Vertaalbureau Den Haag, Vertalingen Tilburg, Translation Services Amstelveen, Tradex Eindhoven).
Thijssen Translations was a supplier of language services and conference interpreting services to various industries, educational institutions and government bodies with multiple offices in the Netherlands.
I sold my company in December 2015.
Skills: Entrepreneurship · Translation · Multilingual · International Business · Team Leadership · international sales · Business Development · Management Consulting · Leadership · Management · Foreign Languages · Localization · sales
Industrie- und Handelskammer Düsseldorf : 2010-2014
Localization Consultant/member of Advisory Board (one day a week) for IHK Düsseldorf (Chamber of Commerce) to help Dutch companies enter the German market.
BC BV: 2005-2006
Operational Manager Hospitality
Teleperformance: 2004-2005
Project Manager
Secon BV: 2001-2004
Team Lead
EDUCATION
Tilburg University – 2004 – 2006: Master International and European Public Law (LL.M)
Tilburg University – 1997-2001: Bachelor International and European Law (LL.B)
Bernardinuscollege Heerlen – 1991-1997: Gymnasium (VWO)
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Strategic Management
INSEAD
Issued Sep 2014
LEAN Green Belt
The Lean Six Sigma Company
Issued Sep 2012
Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française C2
Alliance Française de Paris
Issued Feb 2004
Goethe Zertifikat Deutsch C2
Goethe-Institut e.V.
Issued Nov 2003
Cambridge English CEFR C2
Council of Europe
Issued May 2003
LANGUAGES
I speak and write Dutch, English, French and German at C2 level (fluent), Spanish at C1 level (good), Italian and Portuguese at B2 level.
REFERENCES
Available upon request or LinkedIn.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Local politics, rugby and tennis, history, gastronomy, travel, music, theater and festivals.
I currently live in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
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