Before enrolling in the master Technology and Operations Management at the University of Groningen, I completed my studies in Industrial Engineering and Management at Avans University of Applied Sciences in 's-Hertogenbosch. During my final bachelor year, I worked on a project for a company, aiming to unravel the discrepancy between the intended and actual output of their production line. This experience sparked my interest in further developing my data-driven skills.
Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I searched online for suitable master's programs and discovered the Technology and Operations Management program at the University of Groningen. After attending the online open day, I was convinced that this (pre)master's program was the ideal choice to further develop my mathematical and analytical abilities, along with starting my journey in Python programming. This became more evident when I was unable to find another master's program that offered a comparable combination of these elements.
Upon completion of the master's program, my analytical skills significantly advanced, enabling me to effectively translate quantitative findings into valuable business insights. Subsequently, I transitioned into a role as a Central Material Planner at Vanderlande, a global market leader in logistic process automation for warehousing, airports, and parcel sectors. In this role, I oversee the supply and demand of materials for projects worldwide. My day-to-day responsibilities involve handling unforeseen, last minute material demands, resolving supply chain challenges, and ordering new materials. Additionally, I actively contribute to process development and optimization, focusing on inventory management and forecasting.
Throughout my master's program, specific courses like Operations Management and Control, where theories like Waiting Time were applied, and Data Analysis & Programming for Operations Management, where programming was used to optimize warehouse organization, convinced me that Technology and Operations Management was the perfect fit.
The master Technology and Operations Management has been a valuable extension of my bachelor’s degree, giving me the abilities I need to succeed in my career.