Iris van de Vuurst: Logistics employee
What does a logistics employee do at Zwartwoud? What does a workday at Zwartwoud look like? Iris van de Vuurst tells her story.
From the furniture workshop to logistics
'How does my day start? I come in and there's a table full of mail, packages, and all sorts of items that need to be organized and booked in. So I can get started right away! Anything belonging to specific projects needs to be put in its place. Then, a package might need to go out, so I'll pick orders and prepare everything for shipping. That's essentially part one of my job.'
'I went to Zwartwoud's production manager and told him: I want to work here.'
'Then I have to keep an eye on the inventory. Is everything still correct? Is anything missing? For our serial projects, like ABN Amro and Primera, for example, I make sure all the furniture going out is ready. I pack the pallets and handle loading and unloading.
And then, of course, there are always colleagues popping in who want to know all sorts of things from me! A nice quiet Friday? Not for me: that's when those last few things need to be sorted out for everyone. 'Iris, this actually needs to go there.' 'Can you pack this for me?' Your day fills up so quickly then. Time just flies by!
I work closely with colleagues. The furniture makers come to me all day long to get materials for the furniture they're working on, so I see a lot of them. Additionally, I also work closely with some project managers because I arrange the order picking for their transport. Especially for transport, I also have a lot of contact with colleagues in the office.
I completed a furniture making course and interned at Zwartwoud for two years. Then I graduated at another company. After that, I came back here because I enjoyed it too much. There wasn't an open vacancy, but I went to Joop, the production manager, and told him: I want to work here. He didn't have a spot for me in the furniture workshop, but he did need someone reliable in shipping. And that's how I ended up here.'
'Drivers are sometimes surprised when they see me: is this girl going to unload the truck?!'
'I'm pretty happy with where I am right now. I enjoy my job: the variety, but also the freedom you have in organizing your day. I also really like the social aspect. The contact with the drivers, for example. You've never met before, but you immediately hit it off. You quickly start talking about personal things, about your home, or pets. You don't even need to be a smooth talker for that, because they certainly are!
Drivers are sometimes surprised when they see me: is this girl going to unload the truck?! Will that really work out? I am, as a colleague wonderfully described me a while ago, a 'lady of slender build.' But the unloading always works out, don't worry. I manage perfectly fine.
What I like most about Zwartwoud are the colleagues. No matter which room you walk into, you can have a conversation with anyone, because everyone is great! It's a wonderfully supportive team to work with. I'm extremely satisfied with the guidance I'm receiving here now and I know that if I want to grow or do something different, I'll be given that opportunity.
I find Zwartwoud's path towards circularity interesting. In my role, I naturally see very well what all goes into the container. Zwartwoud is a large company and generates a lot of waste. We are all working hard to see what we can do with our waste streams.
For every waste stream, there's a place it can go to be turned into another product. It's not necessary at all to throw it away. But setting that up doesn't happen overnight, of course. The road to Zero Waste with Zwartwoud is a big challenge, but with the circular expertise we have in-house, a lot is sure to happen!
Gerelateerde vacatures
Mechanic
- You ensure the placement of sustainable and circular interior elements
- You see the preconceived product coming to life so slowly
- You are a face for the customer who is happy with the end result
Get in touch with [name visible on live site]
We'd love to tell you more about how we work. Schedule an appointment with us right away or leave your details. Then we will contact you as soon as possible.
