Gheorghe Pastor

Gheorghe came to the Netherlands in 2016. The economic situation in Rumania was poor, and despite his good education it was difficult for him and many of his countrymen to find permanent work. His own furniture company went bankrupt. He registered with an employment agency in the Netherlands and ended up at Vion in Tilburg. After having worked in the packaging department for a year, Vion realised that he had more to offer. He currently works as foreman (in training) in the Shipping department and has a permanent contract.
Gheorghe Pastor
Foreman in the Shipping Department
Vion Tilburg BV
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In the right place

I was given a permanent contract after working for an employment agency for a year. My wife and children are also living in the Netherlands now. At first, my wife found it difficult, living in a new country all of a sudden. But that’s gone now. She is working at Vion, too. And our children are very happy here. Funny, really, because in Rumania it was a struggle getting them to go to school every day. Here, they are already raring to go when I come to wake them up in the mornings. I don’t know what happens in Dutch schools, but they seem to like it a lot!

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More responsibility

After six months in the packaging department, I felt there was nothing more for me to learn. My supervisor recognised this and believed I had more to offer. I was given the opportunity to take more responsibility and work in Shipping. You have to be really on the ball there: where should the incoming cargo go, in what packaging, how much and how? Who will be doing what? I use registration systems and ensure that all documents are correct. They have to be, otherwise the order is incorrect and companies in Italy will receive the meat ordered for Spain.

I have Dutch lessons every week and can already make myself fully understood. Some of my colleagues find it a bit scary to answer the phone. I just do it, even if it is in Dutch. And if it does get too difficult for me, I manage with some English. My dream is to grow to Sales, like I did in Rumania, only without the furniture. I’m already discussing this with my colleagues and managers. As I started at the bottom, I know the company inside and out. That will allow me to sell it much better as well.