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, Manager Operations Giel van Roosmalen takes the floor.

“In my previous job I worked with people who thought things were fine the way they were. But I was 37 and more ambitious than that. I wanted to develop!”

Can you introduce yourself?

“My name is Giel van Roosmalen, I am 43 years old. I live in Mill with my wife and two children. I love mountain biking; I used to do it competitively and still enjoy it as a hobby. Some of the other things I enjoy are good food, dining with friends, and going to concerts.”

“Something that characterizes me personally and professionally, is that I always want to move forward, that I like to put myself to the test. One of Bulsink’s core values is Determination; that suits me perfectly.”

How and why did you end up working at Bulsink?

“I have always had an affinity with interior design and retail; I started my career as a project manager at an architectural firm specialized in retail interior and exhibition design. However, I turned out to be a bit too practical and hands-on for that, so I decided to switch to contracting. First at a company that I helped set up myself. On behalf of that company I also supervised projects for Bulsink a few times, as a third party. Until one day they asked me: why don’t you come and work for us?”

“Why I said yes? A very simple reason. Antoine, our CEO, as a person. In my previous job I worked with people who thought things were fine the way they were. But I was 37 and more ambitious than that. I wanted to develop! Well, I had come to know Antoine as someone who makes decisions, who wants to move forward, who has ambitions.”

“That sense of ambition is also the cool thing about Bulsink as a firm. If I look back and compare where we were five years ago and see where we are now… The growth we are experiencing… The personal development that colleagues go through… It really puts a smile on my face.”

What can you tell us about your work as Manager Operations?

“As a Manager Operations, I work side by side with our Operations Director, basically making sure that we deliver on our promises. I do that by forecasting projects and production with partners, customers and colleagues, and by coaching our operational teams. We have about thirty people working in Operations. Mostly Project Managers and Project Engineers, and the BIM Modellers supporting our project teams.”

“I also consider knowledge development part of my responsibilities. Concrete example: we are increasingly dealing with interior elements in our projects. Since I have a background in interior design myself, I can draw on my own experience and share my knowledge with colleagues. In that sense, I have changed as a manager. I no longer take over people’s work when things get difficult, but share my experience and knowledge so that others can develop themselves professionally.”

“When I go for something, I go full throttle. Not one hundred percent, but two hundred percent. That’s so Bulsink. We go for it.”

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?

“Determined. Definitely. As I said before, it characterizes me perfectly; both professionally and personally. An example? As I also mentioned, I no longer mountain bike competitively anymore, only as a hobby these days. But still… When we are setting the route on Sunday morning, my fellow cyclists really have to tell me: Giel, act normal. Because when I go for something, I go full throttle. Not one hundred percent, but two hundred percent. That’s so Bulsink. We go for it.”

“When it comes to my way of coaching, I’d say Inspiring. By sharing knowledge and experience, and by creating a positive vibe, I try to inspire people. To get people involved.”