From Supply Chain research to leadership within Gerritsen Group.
Joining Gerritsen
Before joining Gerritsen, I worked in the financial sector. After several years, I realized I mostly knew what I did not want. I missed the dynamics and the operational character in my work. That search led me to the Supply Chain sector. In 2019, I completed my Master’s in Supply Chain Management with research on intra-firm collaboration within Gerritsen.
I already knew Gerritsen from Goirle and knew Wim personally. During my first meeting, it immediately became clear that this is a company with a true hands-on mentality. No endless discussions, just getting things done. That really appealed to me. I started my research project from that point, and along the way I realized that this was a place where I truly felt at home. In the end, I decided to stay.
Contributing to Professionalization
When I started, I honestly thought Gerritsen was mainly a transport company. I quickly discovered that relocating and reinstalling machinery is at least as significant and complex as transport. That made the work far more interesting than I had initially expected.
My first period within the company was very positive. Everyone was open, supportive and passionate about their work. That enthusiasm is contagious. Since I began with a research project, I did not follow a traditional onboarding process. However, I received guidance and information from all sides. That openness enabled me to quickly gain insight into processes and collaboration. When I stayed on after my internship, I already knew the organization well and was able to step straight into the role. The informal atmosphere and my colleagues made me feel at home very quickly.
Linda van Bijsterveldt
Manager Customer Relations and Quality
My name is Linda van Bijsterveldt, Manager Customer Relations and Quality at Gerritsen Group. Together with my teams, Back Office Sales, Resource, Coordinators and the Project Teams on site, I am responsible for the successful delivery of our projects. Since 2019, I have been part of the organization and have had the opportunity to grow alongside the company, both professionally and as a leader.
From Process Optimization to Full Responsibility
Over the years, my role has developed significantly. I started by analyzing collaboration and processes. From there, I focused on standardizing working methods and further professionalizing the organization. This evolved into the role of Back Office Manager combined with responsibility for quality.
Since November 2025, I have been fully responsible for the entire projects division within Gerritsen. That marked a clear step forward in my development, not only in terms of content but also in leadership.
During this time, I had the opportunity to review all processes up close, at the office, on project sites in the field and at our locations in England. I also worked with a personal coach, and as a management team we completed a leadership training program and a QRM course. In the coming years, I aim to further develop myself as an inspiring leader and continue guiding people through growth and change.
Safety and Quality as a Foundation
Although my daily work primarily takes place at the office, I am responsible for the people working on our projects. For me, safety always comes first. We must ensure a safe working environment and continuously monitor it.
You can clearly see that safety and quality are taken seriously within Gerritsen. Management invests in it, and colleagues experience how it makes a real difference on site. Projects are becoming larger and more complex, and especially in those situations, safety must form the foundation. To me, craftsmanship means taking pride in your work and executing every project down to the smallest detail. That is what our people demonstrate every day.
Large in Scale, Personal in Culture
What distinguishes us from other companies in the sector is the combination of professionalism and a personal, informal culture. Everyone is passionate about their work, and you can feel it. Whatever role you fulfill within a project, everyone contributes to the final result.
The atmosphere is open and collaborative. People support each other, think in solutions and there is always room for discussion and new ideas. With a healthy sense of humor, it remains human. At the same time, we have the structure and scale of a large international company, while maintaining short lines of communication and quick decision-making. This makes the organization both agile and engaged.
The moments when I truly think, “This is why I do it,” are when a project has been successfully completed. A satisfied customer and a proud team provide energy and reaffirm why we do this together.
Building the Future Together
I am most proud of the people I work with. What a team. When I see how they have grown and how we continue to deliver increasingly complex projects successfully together, I know that we are moving forward as an organization.
Over the next five years, I hope we will have further strengthened our international position and that our projects will run even more efficiently and safely. But just as important is maintaining the culture we have today. That is our strength.
Are you considering applying to Gerritsen? Just do it. Here, you are given responsibility, development opportunities and the chance to work alongside passionate colleagues. If you enjoy taking initiative and are not afraid of challenges, this is the place for you.
