Meet Daan
"I have lots of freedom and responsibility to improve our product range."
Daan de Koning - Merchandise PlannerHi! Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Daan, I'm 31 years old and I live in Enkhuizen. Before I started at Action, I worked for an international agricultural company for six years, where I managed colleagues in customer service and order management. After gaining this experience, I felt it was time for a new challenge, and that's how I ended up as a Merchandise Planner at Action.
What is it you do as a Merchandise Planner?
In this role, I'm strengthening the purchasing for two product categories: office supplies and garden items. I research where there are opportunities to generate more turnover and provide the numerical foundations on which the buyers base their choices. I discuss the actions for the week ahead with buyers on Mondays. What products should we offer? Which ones are doing well and which ones aren't? Together, we build and improve the category. I also map out the expected number of sales.
Why did you join Action?
The fast-growing store organisation appealed to me. Colleagues work closely together on innovations for more than 2,300 stores. This also applies to our relatively new Commercial Planning team. Together, we're taking steps to improve our analyses. So, this environment offers me lots of opportunities to grow.
"Action is a very warm and cosy company, and colleagues are genuinely interested in getting to know each other."
Has anything surprised you at Action?
The way of working! I'd expected a somewhat tougher sales environment, but nothing could be further from the truth. Action is a very warm and cosy company, and colleagues are genuinely interested in getting to know each other.
What's the best part of your job? And what can be challenging?
I like having discussions with the buyers and other planners the most. We're able to arrive at new insights together. That's how our craft clay suddenly became very popular in TikTok videos. Together with the supply chain planner, I then examine how we can reflect this in the sales figures and whether we can take this into account in our planning. The challenge is to keep filling our shelves with the very best products!
What are you proud of at work?
The steps we've taken for the product categories. We're gaining more and more control over what we have on our shelves and are increasingly able to say why these products belong there. We're also making our systems more future-proof and efficient, which allows us to keep up with our growth.
What's the atmosphere like?
The great thing about Action is that I work with colleagues who love working here, and the culture is completely flat in structure. Everyone in my team takes the time to help each other out or offer advice. I talk to colleagues about new developments every day, and we bring ideas to team meetings every Thursday.
Do you have any tips for future colleagues?
At Action, you're sure to have a job full of freedom and responsibility. You'll have all the space you need to purchase items independently. And as long as your ideas are well founded, there's no stopping you! The freedom that Action gives you in this area is incredibly satisfying and motivating.