Having worked in his parents’ metalworking company from a young age, a future in engineering felt like a natural choice. With this background, Jilles van Ommeren joined Gpi Tanks just over two years ago as a Sales Engineer. With great enthusiasm, he talks about the role of a Sales Engineer at Gpi and about his next step as Team Lead Sales Engineering.
After completing his HAVO education, Jilles was not yet sure which direction he wanted to take. He obtained welding certificates and started working as a welder in his parents’ metalworking business. When additional support was needed in work preparation, he decided to make the switch. This turned out to be a success. Jilles explains: “I enjoyed it so much that I decided to follow the part-time programme in Industrial Engineering and Management to further develop my skills.”
Working at Gpi
When the family business was sold, Jilles began looking for his next step. Through his work, he was already familiar with BMN in Lopik, the pickling facility that is part of the Gpi Group. A colleague told him:
“Gpi Tanks is located there as well, the largest tank builder in the Netherlands.”
That sparked Jilles’ interest and he decided to apply for a project manager position. As no junior role was available at the time, the position of Sales Engineer came into view. It quickly proved to be a great match.
What does a Sales Engineer do?
When a (potential) customer requires a stainless steel tank, they submit a request for a quotation. The Sales Engineers handle these requests and perform the calculations for the customer proposal. Jilles explains how this works in practice: “We analyse the customer’s needs and explore the possible solutions. Using the provided specifications, we work with TankDesign, our tool for designing tanks at a conceptual level. From there, we further develop the design into a well-founded quotation with a competitive offer.”
A typical workday
On a working day, Jilles gets up around 6 a.m. and starts with a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with his father. Around 7:30 a.m., he opens his laptop at Gpi and starts by checking his emails. “I begin the workweek by creating a plan and an overview of priorities. These mainly consist of quotations to work on. To prepare an offer, I collaborate with colleagues from various departments, as well as with customers and suppliers,” Jilles explains.
Challenges
Because every request involves customization, each project brings its own challenges. Jilles shares: “There is a lot of information to absorb, and many departments are involved. We deal with complex construction codes, calculations, and many variations of stainless steel tanks. It really helps that we have our own technical advisor and that we all share the same passion for tank construction and bespoke solutions. You can approach anyone for support, so the doors are always open to build up your knowledge and expertise.”
Working at Gpi
The atmosphere and personal involvement among colleagues are what Jilles appreciates most about working at Gpi: “Within the sales team, there’s a great atmosphere. We work hard, but there’s always room for laughter, and the level of commitment is high. When my band performed live for the first time, eight colleagues showed up, even some from Germany. How amazing is that?”
Jilles continues enthusiastically: “Across Gpi as an organisation, you really feel a strong sense of togetherness. People are always willing to help each other. The organisation is characterised by a hands-on mentality and short lines of communication, which makes collaboration easy and approachable. Even though I live 64 kilometres away, working at Gpi feels close to home.”
Development and future
Jilles speaks with great enthusiasm about his new role within Gpi: “The department is growing and becoming more professional. I’m really looking forward to getting started in this new position. In addition to handling quotations, my focus is on improving processes and ways of working. It’s great when a customer notices that we genuinely think along with them. I find it important that our proposals truly take the burden off the customer while remaining competitive. We are constantly looking for ways to do this better and more efficiently. Being involved in that gives me a lot of energy.”
