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Justin Bosschert

Buyer Justin goes to work whistling every day

Which vendors will we request proposals from, and for which service areas? Which quote is best? And what conditions should be included in the contract? Purchasing is a profession in its own right. And Justin Bosschert has now mastered that profession to perfection.

Eight years ago, Justin started as a junior buyer at FES/Infra in Maarssen. He has been a buyer for four years now and if it is up to him, he will take a few more great steps at Ballast Nedam. We asked him what makes his job so much fun and what his plans are for the future.

How did you end up at Ballast Nedam?
“Na mijn mbo-studie Infratechniek ging ik aan de slag bij een middelgroot wegenbouwbedrijf. Ik was daar een soort manusje-van-alles en de rechterhand van de bedrijfsleider. Maar in 2016 was ik toe aan wat anders, aan meer uitdaging en grotere projecten. Toen zag ik de vacature voor junior inkoper bij Ballast Nedam in Maarssen. Dat vond ik een hele mooie kans, dus zo ben ik bij Infra beland.”
You've been a buyer for a few years now, how has that been going?
‘I came in as a rookie, so it was nice to start as a junior. This way I could learn the trade quietly. I'm quite proud of the steps I've already made. In any case, at Ballast Nedam you get every opportunity to develop yourself. Last year, for example, I took a contract management course and in the coming years, I would like to take more courses to become even more well-rounded. And possibly grow into a senior buyer role or even a leadership position in procurement.’

What does your workday look like?
‘One moment I'm determining a procurement strategy and mapping out which parties and scopes we're going to request. The next moment I'm comparing quotes or having a meeting with the project team about, for example, a purchase contract or the progress of a project. No two days are the same. Do I often visit the construction site? No, actually only when I carry out a workplace inspection, to check whether the construction site is safe. I do that about twice a year together with a work planner.’
Do you work a lot with colleagues?
‘Yes, especially with the estimators, work planners and project managers. And with the other buyers, of course. At Infra, there are five buyers. Every quarter we have a purchasing meeting with our director. Then we spar with each other and sometimes we take a look at a project. For example, the last time we went to the Blankenburg Tunnel. On paper, our director is above us, but we don't feel that way at all. The atmosphere here is very open and equal.’

Sounds good! And is your job as you had imagined?
‘It's actually even more fun than I expected. From day one, I've had a great time. I go to work whistling every day. That's why I don’t mind driving quite a long way from my home in Velserbroek. Yes, they really have to send me away to get rid of me. Otherwise, I'll be working here for years to come!’

Are you also interested in working at Ballast Nedam?

At Ballast Nedam, you can develop and become a little better every day. In the Netherlands and abroad. Together with almost 2,000 colleagues, we are committed to a future-proof living environment. Will you join our team to contribute to this?

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