TMC Employeneur Awards: Joep van Ierland
‘Sometimes, an opportunity presents itself and you just know you have to take it,’ says Employeneur Joep van Ierland. In 2017, when the internal position of Chairman of the Supply Chain Competence Group became available, Joep didn’t just take the opportunity – he grabbed it with both hands. Since then, Joep has been instrumental in the ongoing process of transforming the Competence Group into an independent cell. Last year he received a Bronze Employeneur Award for his efforts, which range from researching the market to laying the foundations for the new cell.
‘My first responsibility as Chairman was organizing meetings for Supply Chain Employeneurs. Four times a year, our Employeneurs come together to discuss their work, to learn from each other and to just spend a pleasant and instructive evening among colleagues. Usually, there are speakers too, highlighting their current projects or professional insights. I’ve often thought events like these are the glue that binds a group of colleagues together.’
The Supply Chain meetings are a great opportunity to show potential new Employeneurs what the organization and the cell are all about. ‘Of course, when a promising candidate shows interest in working at TMC, we try to tell him or her everything about the way we work and about Employeneurship in general. But we also like to show our story. With the Supply Chain meetings, we get to introduce ourselves to the candidate in a different way – in the flesh, so to speak. Quite a few candidates have told me these evenings were crucial in their decision to join TMC.’
'With the Supply Chain meetings, we get to introduce ourselves to the candidate in a different way – in the flesh, so to speak.'
Supply Chain had always been a Competence Group of Manufacturing Support (MFS). When the idea of transforming the Competence Group into an independent cell took shape, Joep was the go-to person to research the possibilities and help define the goals, challenges and opportunities of the new cell. He put his usual enthusiasm and ambition into the project, and was completely surprised when Cell Director Noortje van Boxtel handed him his Bronze Employeneur Award. ‘It was somewhere around the end of last year. We were having a regular meeting – at least, that’s what I thought – until Noortje conjured up the Award from her bag!’
Forming an independent Cell is a complicated process, but the Supply Chain Cell is already well on its way – in no small part thanks to Joep’s efforts. ‘All the signals are green. At the moment, we just want to expand our team of Employeneurs before we take off. It’s just a matter of time.’
‘It’s very encouraging to have your efforts recognized like this.'
For Joep, the first stage of the project is finished, but helping Supply Chain become an independent cell is an ongoing business development. He looks back fondly on his research – and on his Employeneur Award. ‘It’s very encouraging to have your efforts recognized like this. To me, it means the Management Team and my fellow Employeneurs see and appreciate my work, and it proves I’m on the right track. As my kids would say: it’s a big thumbs-up!’
Have a look at this article if you want to know more about the TMC Employeneur Awards and the assessment procedure.