The journey to good work at Albert Heijn: Cristian'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 Cristian, branch manager at Albert Heijn Online in Roosendaal.

Before Cristian came to the Netherlands, he worked in the Romanian army. A job he was proud of, but one that offered little financial perspective. To make ends meet, he also worked as a food delivery driver, often putting in fourteen-hour days. This left him with little to no free time and led him to make the decision to build a better future abroad.

In 2022, he came into contact with Carrière. Through our office in Romania, he had his job interview. When he heard he was hired, he did not hesitate for a moment. On his last day in the army, he got into his car that same evening and drove to the Netherlands.

From order picker to branch manager
Once in the Netherlands, Cristian started as an order picker at Albert Heijn Online in Roosendaal. After one year, he was given the opportunity to grow into the role of flex team leader. In this position, he showed that he takes responsibility and has a strong eye for his team. A year later, he took the next step to head team leader. Since August, he has been working as branch manager in Roosendaal.

His military background still helps him in his daily work. Discipline, respect for others, and taking responsibility come naturally to him. Tasks are completed on time and commitments are kept. Perhaps even more important is his ability to recognize mistakes and learn from them. “I’ve learned that you should always keep improving yourself, learn from your mistakes, and if you believe in something, you should go for it,” he says.

Cristian never expected to develop so quickly in the Netherlands. In Romania, the focus is often strongly placed on diplomas and work experience. Without one, it is difficult to gain the other. What he values in the Netherlands is that people look at motivation, effort, and performance on the work floor. “Here, they really look at how you perform and how eager you are to learn. That creates opportunities,” Cristian says.

Good work with Cristian
Now that he has achieved this growth, Cristian is already looking ahead. His next goal is to improve his Dutch. He wants to keep growing, take new steps, and continue challenging himself.

At the same time, he sees new flexkrachten starting every day at Albert Heijn in Roosendaal. His message to them is clear: “With motivation, hard work, and a focus on results, you can really grow at Carrière. I am living proof of that,” Cristian says.