A personal introduction
Darryll got in touch with 4Supplychain through a good acquaintance. “I was looking for a graduation project, preferably at a company where I would also want to work afterward. From the very first conversation, I noticed how personal their approach was. There wasn’t a standard project waiting for me; instead, they mainly asked what I found interesting.” Shortly after, he met the team. “That felt surprisingly informal. During lunch, it felt more like sitting down with friends than with a formal consultancy firm.”
Direct impact, lots of responsibility
What surprised him most? “That within six months of graduating, I was already working independently with clients – sometimes even presenting proposals to management. I hadn’t expected that level of trust so soon, but it gave me a huge boost of energy.”
This freedom goes hand in hand with responsibility. “At 4Supplychain, you’re given a lot of freedom, but independence is also expected of you. If you run into something, it’s up to you to raise the flag. At first, that took some getting used to, but now I know: whenever I have questions, colleagues are always ready to help and think along.”
Variety in projects and industries
In a short time, Darryll worked on no fewer than six projects, across a range of sectors: pharmaceuticals, healthcare, logistics, and retail. “That variety is exactly why I chose consultancy. Each project brings a new challenge, new people, and a different dynamic.”
Some projects stand out: “At a producer of medical nutrition, I developed a model to optimize the European logistics network. Which routes are most efficient? How do you reduce costs without increasing complexity? That’s where my academic background came in perfectly.”
Another example was at a pharmaceutical company: “They were looking for ways to schedule their Quality Control department more efficiently. By cleverly clustering products in the planning, they were able to save working hours. I developed a model to help them make faster and better decisions.”
What appeals to Darryll in his work is the combination of roles and responsibilities. “Sometimes I’m at the client’s site presenting a project approach or proposal, other times I’m deep into building a technical model in Python – for example, using optimization techniques like linear programming. That mix between strategy and execution, between collaboration and hands-on building, makes the work so interesting for me.”
Intensive guidance and room to grow
Although he was given responsibility quickly, Darryll was never left on his own. “For each new project, I’m paired with an experienced colleague – often one of the founders, Paul or Jasper. Together we set the course. As the project progresses, I gain more and more independence.”
Personal development is also well supported. “I’ve set up my own learning plan with goals for the coming years. For example, I’ll soon be starting the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional training. On top of that, we also follow team-wide training sessions, for example in sales and project acquisition.”
A close-knit, approachable culture
What makes 4Supplychain truly unique, according to Darryll, is the culture. “It’s a young team with a very open atmosphere. Everyone is ready to help each other, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience. You can literally call anyone here – even in the evening if you’re stuck on something.”
Future ambitions
Darryll looks forward to the moment he can independently set up and deliver a project from A to Z. “From defining the planning and scope to delivery. And in the long run, I’d love to take on a role in mentoring new colleagues, just as I’ve been mentored myself.”