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Africa
Beginning his career as a logistics engineer, Jack Thoms has since transitioned through several roles, now overseeing logistics engineers and various other responsibilities. He deeply appreciates and values his team of engineers, along with his commercial and operational colleagues. Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of presenting both his inquiries and those from customers to his team, fostering open communication and collaboration within the workspace.
Not a luxury but a necessity
Enlisting the support of his logistics engineers is not a luxury for Jack; it is a fundamental necessity. He appreciates their knack for asking pertinent questions and offering practical solutions, recognizing the indispensable role they play in addressing the various inquiries and ideas that customers present.
Your work is immediately visible and therefore tangible
Reflecting on his career journey so far, Jack says "I would not change much, if given the chance. The best part of my time as a logistics engineer was being able to put into practice one-on-one what I learned during my studies. The environment is constantly evolving. The results of what we contribute and do are tangible, sometimes evident by the end of the day."
Delivering something that benefits everyone
The biggest challenge he faced as a logistics engineer was bringing together all the "spheres of influence", such as the stakeholders. He says "Our aim is to deliver slutions that cater to everyone's needs, blending elments like innovation, efficiency, and safety. As an engineer, you establish the groundwork for processes that others will implement. Achieving success in this endeavor brings a sense of job satisfaction."
Driving continuous improvement
"Our customers, particularly those in the healthcare, industrial, and technology sectors, are dynamic and demanding," he explains. "They consistently approach us with new ideas and inquiries, the majority of which involve engineering aspects, such as continuous improvement initiatives. Additionally, when we evaluate ideas from our commercial and operations teams to further develop the customer relationship, it becomes evident that engineers need to be continuously involved to transform visions into practical solutions."
With a smile, Jack says "It is also our engineers who sometimes provide a reality check for those ideas. You must think things through before you make commitments."
Logistics process on the upswing
"Recently, we made significant adjustments to the logistics processes for one of our customers at our Rhenus facility. The changes prioritized productivity and ergonomics. Due to shifts in our customers' requirements, including changes in the mix of B2C and B2B flows, an adjustment in the physical layout and accompanying processes was in order, something we called in our engineers for."
Reducing waste through engineering
Being a site manager now, Jack says: "I have a background in industry, so I understand how our customers operate. My personal journey led me to a logistics company. The reason? I wanted to work in a company where logistics is not seen as an expense, but as a core activity. I also apreciate Rhenus' commitment to sustainability and entrepreneurship. You do not work in a grey box here, but in a company that is forward thinking and is reducing waste by way of lean management. We are continually evolving and are thinking long term. That is important for now and for the future. Engineering delivers a vital contribution to this journey."
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