"Quality boss" John on growth, team spirit and job satisfaction at Walkro
People who enjoy working for the same employer for almost 20 years and still do their work with enthusiasm are not seen every day. John Nooijen is one of those rare colleagues.
After years working as production manager and cultivation supervisor, he has been head of quality compost at Walkro since summer 2024. He is one of the driving forces behind Walkro's quality compost and knows the company inside and out. But what he is most proud of? His colleagues. Because together you get further.
From mushrooms to compost
John's love for the trade started at his parents' nursery. There, among the mushrooms, his fascination for cultivation was awakened. When Walkro partly took over the family business, the switch was quickly made. "Before I knew it, I was part of the Walkro family," he says.
He has since worked at all Walkro sites. "That experience is my strength. I know exactly what it takes to guarantee quality."
Helicopter view
John often starts his working day with a tour of the production sites in the Netherlands or Belgium. He also regularly visits the site in Germany. Together with the production managers, he discusses quality and processes. "We analyse the processes and substrate and see what could be improved. Nothing is standard because the climate and raw materials are constantly changing."
For John, it is precisely this dynamic that makes the work so fascinating. "It's a natural product, so you always have to stay sharp," he says. His helicopter view helps him keep the overview while zooming in on details when needed. "You have to be able to switch gears: from broad to specific, from human to machine."
The strength of the team
"You never do it alone," John stresses. For him, the cooperation with his colleagues is indispensable. "Everyone has their own specialism. Together we make sure we make the right decisions."
That means listening to the people on the floor, learning from each other and tackling the problem together. "If something goes wrong with a customer, we don't point the finger at each other. We all go the extra mile together." This team spirit is what makes Walkro a special employer, according to John.
Always in motion
Since July 2024, John has held the title head of quality compost. But for him, the position mainly means an opportunity to keep growing. "You have more responsibility, but also more opportunities to learn," he says. In doing so, he not only looks at the processes, but also at himself. "I ask colleagues: what can I pay attention to? You should never think you are already there. There is always something to learn." This fits perfectly with his view of quality: it is never 'finished'. "You have to keep looking for ways to do it better. Making mistakes is allowed, as long as you learn from them."
Full of energy
Almost 20 years at Walkro and still full of energy.
"If it were up to me, I'd be working here for another 20 years. Not just because I'm 'comfortable in my spot', but because there is still so much to do."
John doesn't sit still outside work either. He helps his brother with the transport company and enjoys the annual skiing holidays in Austria with his family. "Sporting and relaxing at the same time, that's the ideal combination for me," he says. For John, standing still is going backwards. And the same applies to his work at Walkro.
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