“Quality Manager” John on growth, team spirit and job satisfaction at Walkro
It’s not every day you come across people who have enjoyed working for the same employer for almost 20 years and still carry out their work with such enthusiasm. John Nooijen is one such rare colleague.
After working for years as a production manager and cultivation supervisor, he has been Head of Compost Quality at Walkro since the summer of 2024. He is one of the driving forces behind the quality of Walkro’s compost and knows the company inside out. But what is he most proud of? His colleagues. Because together, you can achieve more.
From mushrooms to compost
John’s love for the trade began at his parents’ mushroom farm. It was there, amongst the mushrooms, that his fascination with cultivation was sparked. When Walkro took over part of the family business, the transition was made quickly. “Before I knew it, I was part of the Walkro family,” he says.
He has now worked at all Walkro sites. “That experience is my strength. I know exactly what it takes to guarantee quality.”
Bird’s-eye 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 the substrate and look at what can 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 on your toes.” His bird’s-eye view helps him to maintain an overview whilst zooming in on details when necessary. “You have to be able to switch gears: from the big picture to the specifics, from people to machines.”
The strength of the team
“You never do it alone,” emphasises John. For him, collaboration with his colleagues is indispensable. “Everyone has their own area of expertise. Together, we ensure we make the right decisions.”
That means listening to the people on the shop floor, learning from one another and tackling problems together. “If something goes wrong for a customer, we don’t point the finger at each other. We all go the extra mile.” According to John, that team spirit is what makes Walkro a special employer.
Always on the move
Since July 2024, John has held the title of Head of Compost Quality. But for him, this role is above all an opportunity to continue to grow. “You have more responsibility, but also more opportunities to learn.” In doing so, he looks not only at the processes, but also at himself. “I ask colleagues: what should I be looking out for? You must never think you’ve already made it. There’s always something to learn.” That fits perfectly with his view of quality: it’s never ‘finished’. “You have to keep looking for ways to do things better. It’s OK to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them.”
Full of energy and moving forward
He’s been with Walkro for nearly 20 years and is still full of energy.
“If it were up to me, I’d carry on working here for another 20 years. Not just because I’m ‘right at home here’, but because there’s still so much to do.”
Outside of work, John is always on the go. He helps his brother with the haulage business and enjoys the annual skiing holiday in Austria with his family. “Exercising and relaxing at the same time – that’s the ideal combination for me.” For John, standing still means falling behind. And the same applies to his work at Walkro.
Is this something for you?
A working day at Walkro from…
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Clifford, Technical Support Engineer
“I still have a lot to learn here. And that’s exactly what I want.” -
Jan, lorry driver
“We’re still looking for the best approach. It needs to be clear, but also workable and people-centred.”
