"Sometimes the improvement lies not in the technology, but in listening."

My name is Leon, and I have been working at Oliver Healthcare Packaging since June 2024.

I work as a Process Engineer. In this role I make sure that processes run smoothly, machines keep operating and new products are successfully tested. It’s work that requires me to switch between technology and people, between details and the bigger picture. That suits me.

A conscious career move

Before I started at Oliver, I worked at larger companies. Still, I felt something was missing. The organizational structure was often sluggish and the room to initiate change was limited. I was looking for an environment where you can truly have an impact as an employee. Where you contribute to improvement, instead of just executing tasks. I found that at Oliver. Here I see space for initiative. For Continuous Improvement, as we call it ourselves.

The commuting time also played a part in that decision. I used to drive one hour to work and one hour back every day. Now I’m at work in just thirty minutes, and that really makes a difference.

Stronger together

What matters to me in my work is collaboration. You can’t do it alone. Especially in this position you need to involve people, convince them and connect them. I work closely with production, technical service, planning and purchasing. Together we solve problems, test new products and make processes more efficient. When something succeeds because you’ve tackled it as a team, that feels like a win. That’s the essence of Win as a Team to me.

I consciously try to involve colleagues. Not just in work instructions, but also in the process itself. If you change something without involving operators, it becomes difficult. If you do involve them, you immediately notice the difference in engagement and motivation.

The human side of technology

I believe in a low-threshold way of working together. No distance, no titles. If I see something or want to discuss something, I just walk up to someone. In the cleanroom or by the machine. Have a chat, take a quick look together. That human factor makes the difference. And it helps me to hear what’s going on more quickly. That helps me do my job well. Sometimes the improvement doesn’t lie in the technology, but in listening.

People from all kinds of backgrounds work here. I always try to understand who someone is. What drives them. That makes collaboration easier. You get the best out of people by taking them seriously, not by deciding everything for them.

Building structure

Working in the medical industry requires discipline. Everything has to be demonstrable, traceable and accountable. That took some getting used to at first. It takes time to arrange approvals and to do everything by the book. But I understand why it’s necessary. When you’re making packaging for medical applications, there’s no room for mistakes.

Outside of work

I don’t sit still outside of work either. I enjoy long-distance hiking, help organize activities through the village council I’m part of, and write for the local village paper. I’m also very active culturally: I regularly visit concerts, cities and museums. Organizing is in my blood. Just like at Oliver, I get satisfaction from seeing something you’ve built together actually work.

Looking ahead

I’m sixty. Retirement is getting closer. But I’m far from done. There’s still plenty to do. Oliver is growing. The organization is evolving. There’s more and more focus on improvement, collaboration and clear communication. That’s exactly the direction I want to move in. As long as I feel I can contribute and bring others along with me, I’ll keep working with joy.