Jan-Eric Bos - Manager Operations

In this series of interviews, this time:
an interesting conversation with Jan-Eric Bos. Already as a young boy he started at De Haan. From that experience he now manages the Operations Department.

"Trust is the most important! You have to give the other person space to move"

What are you responsible for within De Haan Relocation?

Within De Haan I am responsible for the management of the Operations Department. In that capacity, I deal directly with the inland planner, the Warehouse Supervisor and our 43 own movers on a daily basis. I am supported in my tasks by the Operations Assistant, because it concerns a group of almost 50 people.

In addition, I am responsible for the vehicle fleet, clothing, packaging materials plus project materials and the storage warehouse. This also includes maintenance and inspections.

The contacts and agreements with suppliers and hiring companies also fall under my responsibility. Due to our certifications as an international moving company, we set high quality standards for companies with whom we work. Our high certification also means that I write, monitor and adjust processes where necessary. Our customers are thus assured of a constant and high quality of our removal services within the Netherlands, Europe and internationally.

A wide range of tasks. How have you built your knowledge and experience?

I have been working at De Haan since 2001 when I started as a moving lift operator as a young boy. In those 20 years, De Haan has really become part of the different phases in my life. I got my truck driving licenses and drove as a mover within the Netherlands and in Europe. I also thought it was a nice challenge at the time to think about planning large project relocations.

However, when I had children, it became more difficult to be away from home longer and I started surveying through customer visits with private customers. My experience was very useful in assessing what would be needed in terms of planning for their move. I made quotations based on that. I also did the trip planning for the relocations within Europe for another year and a half. In all that time, I always had the opportunity to grow, including following associated training and courses. I have always learned a lot from that.

What do you like about your current position?

I have now been Operations Manager for two and a half years. I like the fast shifting and anticipation. I am a connector by nature. Because I operate between the men outside and the office staff, together with my accumulated knowledge, I feel I am in the right place.
Because of my long and broad experience I know what I am talking about. As a result, I can translate situations well: from theory to practice and from the movers outside to the employees inside.

I like managing the moving team with the emotions that come with it. Teamwork is a requirement to be able to move properly.

What are you proud of and what are the challenges?

2020 was a difficult year for everyone because of the corona outbreak. I am very proud of all our movers. In spite of everything, they have really delivered a top performance and have once again lifted De Haan's relocation service to a higher level. My own team copes very well with the daily pressure.

I am proud to be part of a company that relies on the strength of its own personnel, resulting in a pleasant work culture.

As a connector I get energy when people are or become happy. That is why we keep the lines short in my team. This way everyone always knows what is going on from each other, we can support each other and stand in for each other when necessary. One person may have a very direct way of communicating and likes it when things are picked up immediately, while the other is much calmer. Of course we all have our own personalities, but we complement each other very well as a team.

My main challenge is to gain a better understanding between office and field sales overall. My core value is that we always stand behind each other. Trust is the most important, even if we sometimes have different mindsets! You have to give the other person space to move.

What does your working week look like?

I first start with my e-mails and consult with our other departments within De Haan Relocation or suppliers. In addition, I make visits in the morning. For example a scheduled quality check during a move or ad hoc when a problem arises. I also try to check invoices at the beginning of the afternoon. This way I have time in the afternoon for conversations with the inland movers when they return from the relocations that day. This applies less to the international drivers, because they usually come back late on Friday afternoon or on Saturday from their European trips, so I see them less regularly.

The time of year strongly determines what I am busier with. In the spring, it is mainly about fine-tuning processes where necessary, performing audits and improvements and making new plans and then implementing them before the summer. The preparation of the important and quite complicated planning, including the planned crew, material and fleet for the coming summer, also takes place. The latter in consultation with the rest of the Management Team. In the summer itself I am more concerned with the planning itself and solve unforeseen situations that may arise. Autumn is the time for evaluation with the movers and the other departments. Winter is especially suitable for internal training.

If you could summarize the company De Haan Relocation, what would that be?

For the customer I would say: quality, our own people and teamwork are the strength of De Haan Relocation! For a potential employee it would read: trust, ability to develop and support is what you can expect as an employee at family business De Haan Relocation.

Finally, is there anything else that hasn't been mentioned that you would like to share with the reader?

In all my time at De Haan, I always had the opportunity to grow, including following associated training and courses. I learned a lot that I would like to share with others. First, be patient, but never lose sight of your end goal. Second, stay calm and always talk, create a common goal that is easier to achieve. Finally, always look forward, but also consider all the great things that have already been achieved.