Position: Working Foreman
Working at J&E Sports since: 2019
What do you enjoy most about working at J&E Sports?
Working outdoors every day with a fun, close knit team. You are never on your own.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
We start early in the morning. First we have a coffee together, then we prepare the vans and head to the site. We work on the field all day. When we work further away from home, we stay overnight and the whole team stays in a hotel. Always good fun.
I mainly work in the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. Last year I even went to New Zealand. That was really amazing.
What makes this job different from others you have had?
I used to work in hospitality and was always indoors. Now I work outdoors during the day and no longer in the evenings. J&E Sports also has a much more relaxed and family like atmosphere. People stay here for a long time and that really is the strength of the company.
What can be challenging about this job and how do you deal with it?
As a foreman, you regularly come across situations you have not experienced before. Fortunately, there is always someone with more experience who can help or give advice. You work with a team of four or five people and I am responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly that day. Making sure everything goes well is a challenge I really enjoy.
When did you feel truly proud of what you built?
There are two projects I am especially proud of. The first time you get to build your own field and it then passes inspection with flying colours. And a tee off area for a golf course in the United Kingdom. It was huge to see, and the enthusiastic reactions afterwards made it even more special. That is what you do it for.
What did you need to get used to when you first started?
At my previous job, everything on site was very formal. At J&E Sports it is different. You are addressed directly when something is not right. That took some adjusting for me, but looking back it was a good thing and I learned a lot from it.
How would you describe the team?
Open minded, open and family oriented. If something is going on, everyone supports you and the team is always there for you.
What makes you feel at home here?
The combination of the work and the family style team. I have found something I genuinely enjoy doing and am good at, with a team around me that really fits.
What have you learned here that you would not have learned elsewhere?
Standing up for myself more. Speaking up and clearly stating what I stand for. I see that as very positive.
What are you most proud of since you started here?
The growth I have gone through over the five years I have worked here, and the first field I built independently as a foreman.
What makes you enjoy coming to work every day?
The atmosphere, the fun and the work itself.
What would you say to someone who is unsure about coming to work here?
Just give it a try. When I started here, people around me also thought it was not for me. Since then, I have proven them wrong.