The journey to good work at Albert Heijn: Cem's story

The promise to make good work available for everyone is the common thread in everything we do at Carrière. At one of our largest clients, Albert Heijn, we see every day how much impact we create together. Right there, in the middle of the dynamic workplace, stories emerge that show what meaningful work truly means. Not as a slogan, but as something we bring to life every single day.

With our series Good Work at Albert Heijn, we bring these stories to life. We share growth journeys of colleagues who once started as temporary workers and through dedication, talent and the right guidance, progressed into leadership roles. This time the spotlight is on Cem, branch manager at Albert Heijn Online in Zwolle.

Until the COVID pandemic broke out, Cem had worked in the investment sector for over seven years. As a key account manager, he was used to responsibility and stability. When everything came to a standstill, his situation changed abruptly. As the only person in his team with a temporary contract, he had to leave. “At that moment, I had to earn money,” Cem says. Fixed expenses continued, while his job suddenly disappeared.

From order picker to account specialist at Albert Heijn
Through Carrière, he ended up at Albert Heijn Online, where he started as an order picker. A practical solution meant to secure income. Soon it became clear that this role didn’t match his strengths. An exit interview was scheduled, but that conversation took an unexpected turn.

During that meeting, Cem showed where his real strengths lay. Structure, calmness and working with people. He shared that he felt little challenge in his role and was mainly working to make ends meet. That honest conversation set things in motion. There was a need for team leaders and Cem was encouraged to apply.

From team leader, Cem progressed to account specialist. “If you had told me four years ago that I would now be a branch manager, I would have thought you were crazy,” he says.