How did you end up at VPD?
Anita: “After a restructuring at my former employer, I ended up here 3 years ago through a small temporary agency. After many years in large companies, I found the perfect balance here: not too small, not too big, just right. Partly due to the title of "Transporter of the Year" in 2022, VPD has grown tremendously in recent years, but it still remains a family business. Everyone knows you by your name, you're not a number.”
What is your role?
Anita: “As a warehouse coordinator, I mainly take care of administrative tasks for the different warehouses: from checking schedules and deliveries, to coaching warehouse workers, to tracking returns and inventory. Or I can do a shift myself as a team leader in the warehouse.
Actually, my tasks are quite varied. I have a good relationship with my manager and supervisor. If there is a weakness somewhere, for example in one of the hubs, I get that project: I analyse it and look for solutions to bring more structure. I really like to structure things, that was the little weakness of the organisation when I arrived. It was manageable when we were small, but now that we have big clients, it no longer works.”
How do you balance your work with your life outside the company?
Anita: “I try to find a good balance. I mainly work during the day, depending on the tasks. If I am scheduled as a team leader, I take the morning shift, when we are busier. Tuesday is sacred to me, then I can take time to pick up my grandchildren. In fact, I was initially looking for a part-time job, but here I can work full-time and still combine it with looking after my grandchildren. I feel so good that I don't rule out staying at VPD until retirement.”
Stronger together
What do you like most about your job?
Anita: “When we can achieve something as a group. The result may be good when I do things myself. But now, I try to delegate more... When we achieve something together, as a group, that's where I find my satisfaction. Of course, the numbers count first, but for me, it's also the way things get done that's important. We complement each other very well.
I am naturally very communicative. This is really a work environment in which I feel very comfortable: growing together, working with the different departments. There is always something we can improve. It's nice to be able to do it as a team and look for solutions together. Here, we listen to each other, and that's very important.”
How has your job evolved over time?
Anita: “Here, they know who I am and what I can do. I am a very empathetic person. Recently, I was able to undergo training to act as a confidant. I want to highlight this role for colleagues, so they can find help quickly if there's a problem and so that small problems can be resolved immediately, before they escalate. The fact that they entrust me with this role and give me the necessary means shows that I am well regarded.”
Future-oriented
What do you appreciate the most about the company culture at VPD?
Anita: “Everyone’s voice is heard around here, and respect and care are important. I feel appreciated and recognised for what I do, regardless of my age. Here, I can be myself. The managers make sure that all departments work together, that there is good communication.
VPD is also future-oriented. I'm not afraid of growing old here. I'm realistic: I'm 53, in other companies they can start to wonder if an employee can still keep up. I still feel very fit.”
Isn't it a man's world?
Anita: “Yes, it is mostly a man's world. But I feel supported, you feel that there is real support around you. At first, I was a bit more reserved, some found me strict. I appreciate seeing people flourish after their training. They are grateful because you taught them something.
There is now another team leader who is also a woman and who has made her place. I am amazed to see that most men put us on a pedestal. There are a few who struggle a bit more, but I am resilient.
Sometimes we have amusing situations. Being responsible for the equipment store, I thought that women placed the most importance on clothes. Here, I noticed that some men asked for two different sizes: one for winter and a larger one for summer because they consider that they might expand a bit...”
Sustainability is embedded in the organisation
How do you see sustainability at VPD?
Anita: “It's not just vehicle emissions that count, sustainability is also in things you don't see. For example, in my job with the equipment store, when purchasing material such as brushes and gloves. We prefer to choose more durable products that can be reused rather than disposable material. We opt for better quality gloves that last longer. And we can bring our own ideas: so I gave each team leader a nice box with a limited number of markers that have to be returned at the end of the shift. A playful way, but fewer markers are lost.”
What would you like to add as a conclusion?
Anita: “I would like to thank all departments for their excellent collaboration with the warehouses: the planners, the back office, the CEO, HR. I really feel supported here, even as a woman in a man's world.”