Sander
I kicked off my career at Bruker as a sales representative for our microbiology portfolio. I studied microbiology and was hired to drive Bruker’s MALDI Biotyper product adoption in the Dutch market, and directly understood what the products impact would be in microbiology laboratories. Although I had no experience in sales, selling came quickly by doing the job, asking questions and learning from the other team members. Developing the key skills needed for this role, like carefully listening to customers while asking questions. Checking in with them on their needs and matching those needs with what your organization can offer.
It’s a joyful and proud moment every time you collaborate with a customer, understand their needs and see them taking your solution to solve their challenges. Moments that I had the pleasure of experiencing many times in my career as sales representative, thanks to the products and culture Bruker offers. And continue to experience through my current team’s success.
After 8 years of working as a sales representative, I was asked if I would want to lead the commercial organization for Bruker Microbiology & Infection Diagnostics for Central Europe. A step up that I gladly took on and my first experience with being a manager. Together with the teams in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria & Switzerland we successfully grew the business. Central to its continued success was the care and focus on the customers by my team, while I provided the same to the team itself and its supporting organization.
Essential leadership experience was gradually build-up by doing it, and it is an amazing experience to see your team grow, be successful and many individuals shine due to you providing guidance and support.
Not long after this step, I got the opportunity to take the lead of EMEA commercial organization for Microbiology. It brought me to a level where you start looking at an even longer-term picture. New products, strategies, seeing new opportunities. Establish new policies to drive the team and customer success. It allowed me to be part of shaping the company’s direction. What stands out about this period is how important it is to give your team space for their ideas. Many successful projects came to fruition because a team member had a great idea and just required my support, guidance and encouragement to get it off the ground. Earning many people in my team the credit and career opportunities because of their successful ideas.
In 2024 another opportunity came along, and that was to become Vice President for our Global Commercial Operations in Microbiology. On a global level leading the commercial team. I took on this new role with full enthusiasm and really enjoy my role. I continue to be part of a much broader team of peers and shaping with them the future directions. Also continue to have the opportunity to apply the skills and lessons I have learned and now provide these to a global team. Learning It’s a continued pleasure to work with all of my peers, my boss and my team, to drive Bruker’s innovation in the Microbiology market.
- Books or Movies? Movies
- Morning Person or Night Owl? Definitely a Morning person, but it does require coffee.
- Name one thing that you cannot live without? Some quite time to enjoy hobbies and sports.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working for Bruker? Miniature tabletop games & Boxing
- Favorite food? Chocolate
- What is your motivation in life? Spending time with the people I care about, hearing their stories and be off help.
- Superpower you would choose? Be able to speak and understand all languages.
Sander
Vice President BMID Commercial Operations
Joined in 2009
