Interview with Christiaan Oei | Sales Manager Technical at Duynie

At Duynie we have a team of passionate and entrepreneurial employees. One of these employees is Christiaan Oei, Sales Manager Technical. Christiaan is already working for Duynie since 2006. We are curious why he chooses to work for Duynie. Find out more about his role, the challenges he encounters, and his achievements in this interview.

Please tell us more about your career at Duynie

`I have started my career when Duynie was a much smaller company. My role was multifaceted, covering areas from supply chain and logistics to operations and quality control. Duynie offers many career opportunities to their employees. I recall being invited to a meeting with a customer, where my diverse background enabled me to share extensive technical information. This experience was pivotal; gradually, my role evolved to become more commercially focused. I have always aimed to provide our customers with reliable and honest information, something they appreciate.´

´Duynie offers many career opportunities to their employees.´

Can you tell us more about your job as a sales manager?

´In my current role as a sales manager, I am involved towards the final stages of our process. I interact with a variety of global customers, gathering significant insights. My success as a sales manager relies on my colleagues, from forklift drivers to operators. About 80% of my success is thanks to them, because reliability and fulfilling promises are key in our business.´

What do you like about your job?

´At Duynie, I feel highly valued and have the freedom to carve my own path. The company's entrepreneurial spirit resonates with me. While we focus on overarching and strategic goals, collaboration is also highly encouraged. Our open culture fosters a balance of fun and straightforward honesty. Despite not being a large organisation, the wealth of knowledge and the ambition to innovate with new products among my colleagues is truly inspiring. Furthermore, it makes me proud to be part of a company who is contributing to the sustainability goals of our customers.´

´At Duynie, I feel highly valued and have the freedom to carve my own path.´

What challenges do you face?

´There are numerous challenges, mostly at a macroeconomic or geopolitical level. Operating globally, Duynie is affected by factors like fluctuating energy prices, export restrictions, and poor harvests. These elements significantly impact our business. Fortunately, our broad product portfolio allows us to adapt and shift focus as needed.´

Which achievements are you proud of?

´Witnessing Duynie's growth fills me with pride. From a small company producing potato starch for paper to becoming a market leader in sidestream starch with a diverse range of mainly technical products. Our customers often commend our reliability in delivering the right product on time. I am also proud of our international expansion in the United Kingdom and Belgium and our ventures into new product segments like food, petfood, adhesives, textile and paper.´