Sander joined as head of global sales in September 2023. He’s hit the ground running, getting to know our culture, our processes and our amazing people, and he has big ideas about the exciting future ahead…
How would you describe your job role at Botanicoir in a few sentences?
My job is to prepare the company for further growth by looking into the organisation, structure, processes and markets. This includes considering how we look at the outside world, what the opportunities are, how to organize ourselves, and how to further drive our growth. We already have a dedicated, skilled team and a base of valuable, long-term customers so the foundation is there already.
How long have you worked for the company?
I started my job at Botanicoir in September 2023. But it feels much longer already because I have worked with the products for a couple of years already.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing for me is to work with dedicated people who want to help each other and our customers, supported by a fantastic family. And of course traveling. It is a privilege to visit our customers all over the world and meet so many different people and cultures.
Please could you share some of the positions you have held/experience prior to Botanicoir?
In my past roles, I extensively engaged with diverse cultures, consistently participating in the initiation of new business ventures in various markets and countries. Throughout my career, which has primarily been in the agriculture sector, I’ve gained experience across different industries. Over the last four years, my focus has been specifically on substrates. My expertise is most pronounced in Asia, particularly in China, and more recently, I have expanded my experience to include Africa and the Middle East.
In my previous position at Legro, I held the responsibility for managing the business operations related to substrates and mushroom casing soil in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, I oversaw Botanicoir as part of my portfolio, following the collaboration between the two companies, leveraging their combined strengths.
How do you describe your job to your friends?
I always need to explain what substrates are and why substrates are so important and valuable. The number of people who need to be fed is increasing rapidly in tandem with increasing prosperity and awareness of healthy food. The challenge is to produce enough with less impact, which means efficiency, i.e. higher yields, more diversity, more fruit and vegetables. Cultivation in substrate plays an important role in this. Being commercially responsible for one of the most professional and beautiful coir substrate producers in the world is really an honour.
What do you most look forward to contributing to the business as it grows?
There are a couple of things I would like to mention here. Building relationships with partners and customers all over the world is probably the most exciting part of a commercial role. In addition also looking ahead to innovations that further contribute to future growth. Last but not least, working with a motivated and dedicated team to make sure we can service our customers on a high level like we always have, is a great pleasure.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
The role requires a lot of traveling so spending time with the family is really important for me. I like to go out for a walk or spend holiday time with the kids. I also have an addiction to football. I like to visit the football matches of my favourite team, PSV Eindhoven. To promote my team, I delivered a PSV football to Sri Lanka for Ryan (the son of Kalum and Samantha).
