Theo van Kerkoerle
Our own staff are most likely the best people to tell you what it is like to work at Bulsink. Our employee stories offer an inside look at our company’s culture. Today, Senior Project Manager Theo van Kerkoerle takes the floor.
Can you introduce yourself?
“My name is Theo van Kerkoerle. I am 62 years old, married, no children, and I live in Tilburg. I have been working at Bulsink for sixteen years now.”
“Before I came to work for Bulsink, I worked at a project agency for about two years; and before that I worked in fashion retail for over twenty years.”
The love for retail was what convinced me to come and work for Bulsink sixteen years ago. And it is the main reason that, after all these years, I still feel at home here.
How and why did you end up working at Bulsink?
“Mainly because I felt out of place at the project agency where I was working at the time, because its culture didn’t suit me. I missed a heart for retail. At the same time, Bulsink had just started specializing in retail. They were actively looking for experienced people with a retail background, and approached me through a mutual contact.”
“With my 23 years in retail, I was immediately one of the oldest and most experienced employees. I still am, together with one or two of my colleagues.”
“A retailer needs a contractor who understands their business. The love for retail was what convinced me to come and work for Bulsink sixteen years ago. And it is the main reason that, after all these years, I still feel at home here.”
What can you tell us about your work as a Senior Project Manager?
“For the majority of my time I work for one single customer, Rituals. I have been on their projects for fifteen of the sixteen years that I have been working here. Over time they have grown considerably, and we have grown with them. To give you an idea: initially we supervised all of their projects with just two people. By now, ten colleagues are working on their projects full-time. And that’s office staff only, not even considering all the professionals on the construction site.”
“This year alone so far, we opened 23 new Benelux branches with Rituals. As a Senior Project Manager, I supervise these projects from A to Z. From listing and specifying the required work to execution and delivery.”
“I work very closely with my right-hand man and Project Engineer Niek. Together, the two of us are responsible for new Rituals stores in the entire Benelux area. As a result, I spend more time in my car than in the office; I easily drive 80,000 kilometers a year. Previously, I also did stores further across the border. The first Rituals in the UK at the time. Or their branch in Berlin.”
“There’s little chance you’ll get my voicemail. I always answer my phone.”
The Bulsink organisation uses B.U.I.L.D. as its core values: Brand-conscious, Ultra-fast, Inspiring, Leading and Determined. Can you pick one or two of these core values and explain what they mean to you?
“Oh, that’s hard for me to say. All actually.”
“I really have to choose? Okay, then speed comes first, so Ultra-fast it is. At Bulsink, we do things fast and well. For Rituals and for all our other customers. For me personally, this means that I am always available for customers. There’s little chance you’ll get my voicemail. I always answer my phone.”
“Leading also suits me well. Both as one of our organisation’s core values as for me personally. I want to be, and I always try to be, the best Project Manager my customers could wish for. Leading every day, be the best every day.”
