26 October 2023
Just three weeks after joining AAE, Joy received an exciting offer to join one of the biggest projects within AAE. Full of ambition and determination, he accepted the challenge and enthusiastically set to work. Eventually, the project grew into an immense undertaking with Joy and other colleagues in the project being challenged from all sides. Read his story here
"I remember it well," Joy recalls, "Mark Gilsing, Procurement Manager, came to me and told me that AAE was preparing a large-scale project. Although the project was still in its infancy, the message was clear: it was going to be big, ambitious and exceptional. I had just started at AAE and was open to new challenges, especially in my role within procurement." Joy then adds: "Initially, the project was expected to take about 25 per cent of my time, but it soon became clear that it would be much more. The project was more complex, bigger and more challenging than initially thought."
But that did not stop Joy from remaining determined. "It was a challenging period for me, I can honestly say. Everything was new to Joy; the customer's way of working, the processes, the people, and AAE itself. There were times when I wondered: what did I get myself into?" laughs Joy. "Despite the challenges, I never considered giving up. I sometimes think of myself as a pitbull; when I get bogged down in a project, I don't let go. I am determined to see it through to completion."
Turnaround in the project
With all the new subject matter, processes, working methods and communication with the customer, the project was quite a challenge. Not only for Joy, but also for AAE in general. But over time, a positive turnaround in the project followed. "After a while, we decided that changes were needed. The customer and AAE sat down together and put everything on the table transparently." This moment marked a turning point in the project. "It was decided to bring a large group of employees from the customer to AAE to participate in the project. This led to a positive 180-degree turn in the project. As a buyer, you are dealing with a kind of triangular relationship between AAE, the customer and the supplier. This new way of working together made everything run significantly smoother, and my role as tactical buyer became much easier."
Meanwhile, Joy has advanced to strategic buyer and looks back on this project with pride: "I can say with conviction that the project was successfully completed. Things always happen, even now, but it is now much more structured and process-oriented. This allows us to deliver the quality that both we and the customer are happy with. Of course we make mistakes from time to time, that's part of the job, but these are now at a level that satisfies everyone."
Support from colleagues
When Joy looks back on his early years at AAE, there is one constant factor that has supported his success: his colleagues. "The support I received from AAE has always motivated me. There is so much knowledge available in this organisation that you can fall back on, so you never feel like you are on your own. It's reassuring to have that support and understanding from your colleagues at times when you need it."
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