A day in in the life of Nadine Bauwens

Nadine Bauwens, Global Key Account Manager in the BU ST&IF, joined Ahlers in the summer of 2023. Meet Nadine through a series of questions and answers.

Current job

  • What is your current position? Global Key Account Manager in the BU ST&IF.
  • What responsibilities does it entail? I am responsible for 3 customers on a gLobal Level . This means that I manage the country  team members from a commercial perspective . I also try to create new business opportunities and generate greater revenue with strong Gross margins ( GM ). Through leadership we strive for Initiatives  across the borders that complement with the company strategy and industry needs.
  • What is an average day like in your current position? I start my mornings by tackling my emails. I'm a firm believer in responding to queries on the same day, and I don't like to leave people hanging for days. So, I try to clear out my inbox in the morning and revisit it in the evening. Moreover, I place a high value on maintaining communication with my team. Whether it's a quick Teams chat or a more extended conversation, I strive to connect with them almost every day. 

Beginnings

  • What is your (educational) background? Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Political and Social Sciences.

 

  • How did you get started in the industry? I studied political sciences at university, and when I graduated, I always had the idea of working in an international environment. I began my journey in FedEx in the Customer Service department, where I had the opportunity to engage with people from all over the world, which I found incredibly fulfilling. That's how I first ventured into the world of logistics. 
  • What positions have you held before this one? As i said previosly, I worked in Customer Service department. Over the next decade, I worked in various sales functions at DHL. Initially, I focused on last-mile delivery, serving as a field sales representative for a specific region in Belgium. After two years, I moved into key account management, and then another two years later, I relocated to the company's HQ, taking on the role of a global account manager.
  • Do you have a mentor or someone that significantly helped you get to where you are today? It's through these ongoing dialogues that I'm able to gather valuable feedback and build trustworthy relationships. For me, you can only get results if you do it in a team. I get everything from communication.

Evolution

  • How has your field evolved since you began?
    More tecnologies, more knowledge, more interesting opportunities. Logistics have enlvolved a lot, and it will not stop.
  • How do you see it evolving further? 
    Flexibility and adaptability are key in our industry because it's a constantly shifting landscape. However, this dynamic environment also offers a unique opportunity to generate fresh ideas and explore new things. 
  • What changes would you like to see? 
    Well, the world economic landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. Supply chains are changing, and we must keep pace with that.

 

Company

  • What makes your company different from its competitors?
    People. My colleagues are incredibly responsive. When I ask a question, I receive an answer almost instantly, always very helpful. They're also knowledgeable. At Ahlers I'm able to gather valuable feedback and build trustworthy relationships. Building this two-way street of communication is a goal I'm committed to working on.

Social

  • What do you like most about your job?
    The most rewarding aspect of my work, once again, is the international dimension. Working across different industries has also been a key priority because it allows me to broaden my knowledge and have a comprehensive understanding of the entire supply chain. The most important thing for me is that every day there is something that makes it interesting for me, makes it a learning experience.
  • What would you like people to know about your job?
    Working in logistics offers many opportunities. Firstly, the international aspect but also the variety of industries you get to know. You basically witness the entire supply chain, from production to final customer delivery. This field constantly evolves and remains essential, so it’s a rewarding and dynamic space to work in.
  • What's your advice for young specialists who want to grow in the company and in logistics in general? 
    I think is important to have a broad network. Even if your role is specific to one department, having a comprehensive understanding of the entire organization is invaluable because it broadens your perspective. You might have a very specific field of studies, don't confine yourself to what you studied initially.
  • What do you do when you are not in the office?
    My passion are my 2 shelter dogs (from Spain) with whom I have long walks every day. I try to work as a volunteer for shelters in Spain in order to find them a warm home in Belgium (sharing via social media, money raising and once a year a week of volunteer work). Also love to read and practice yoga on a daily basis, preferable a dynamic yoga like ashtanga.