Growing with Modexpress

Gaby Noijen

Since 2003, Finance Manager Gaby Noijen has been part of Modexpress’s growth. In this interview, she reflects on the milestones, experiences, and opportunities that have shaped her career within the company.

Foto credits: Modexpress

How and when did you join Modexpress?

‘My journey at Modexpress began in November 2003. After spending the summer working in Spain, I returned to the Netherlands and started looking for an administrative role. I applied to several companies and was invited for an interview at Modexpress, at the location where I still work today. At the time it was the company’s only site, but since then the business has grown significantly.

Before I had even arrived home, I received a call to say I had been offered the job, which was great news. I started as a receptionist, not knowing at the time that it would mark the beginning of a long and varied career in several different roles.’

Can you describe the department you currently work in?

‘Since 2020 I have been working in the Finance department. Our team consists of five colleagues, including myself, and I report to Ton Aarts, our CFO. Everyone in the team has moved into Finance internally and, like me, brings experience from different processes and operational departments. Because invoicing for our clients is often tailored to specific agreements, it really helps that we all understand what happens inside our warehouses.

Each team member has their own responsibilities, but we are able to cover for one another whenever needed. Together, the team ensures that invoices are sent out, purchase invoices are processed, payments are handled, suppliers are paid and all other financial tasks are completed week after week.’

What is your role within the team?

‘As Finance Manager, I am responsible not only for overseeing deadlines and maintaining structure, but also for monitoring and analytical tasks. I also work on new developments and automation projects, such as the transition to a new accountant or a new bank. Changes like these bring challenges, and my role is to ensure that colleagues and clients are affected as little as possible, which I achieve together with the team through careful planning and clear communication.

In addition, I provide the operational departments with detailed financial reporting and analysis to support overall business performance. I am also partly involved in accounts receivable management, as I consider it important to maintain close contact with our clients. This gives me not only an understanding of the current situation but also awareness of potential risks, such as payment issues. I approach this not only from a financial perspective but also commercially, taking the client’s situation into account.

During busy periods or staff holidays, I support the team with day-to-day finance tasks. This allows me to stay involved in the daily operations and keep my knowledge of our processes up to date.’

Which moments or milestones stand out for you after nearly 23 years?

‘The moments that stand out most are those times when we all worked together to get something done that seemed almost impossible. That happened quite often when I was in Customer Support. The music would be turned up, and everyone would pitch in to push through a few extra hours. We made a game out of entering orders or stamping delivery notes.

One personal high light for me was completing a finance qualification. The opportunity to do this through Modexpress meant a lot to me, and I look back on it with pride. Within Finance, there have been memorable developments, such as the automation of quotations and automatic processing of rates. These changes really show how we continue to innovate.

My colleagues who have become good friends, the company parties, and Friday afternoon drinks are also moments that stand out.’

Which other roles have you held?

‘After about six months working as receptionist, a position opened up in Transport Planning. In that role, I gained my first experience with transport and logistics. Not long after, a vacancy came up in Customer Support due to maternity leave. I took the initiative and let them know I was willing to take on the role.

I learned a great deal in a short time on the transport team, but the move to Customer Support turned out to be a better fit for me. I spent the majority of my years there, in various roles. Occasionally, I explored other areas, for example business development, but I always maintained a point-of-contact role for our clients.

One of the most memorable periods was when I was responsible for one of our largest clients. My mission was to ensure they were happy. It was not without challenges, but I have many fond memories, particularly of the colleagues I worked with and how we achieved our goals together. Whatever it took, we made it happen. A good result always gave me the energy to keep going.

In Finance things are calmer. It’s important that everything is accurate and delivered on time. The work can be planned in advance, which provides more structure and oversight.’

What does this personal development say about Modexpress as a company?

‘It really reflects the kind of company Modexpress is: an organisation that gives its employees the space to grow, take responsibility, and develop in a variety of areas. What I have experienced over all these years is that commitment and a sense of responsibility are genuinely valued here. In the Finance department, I have found my place, and I expect to remain here for the foreseeable future.’

What do you see as the biggest difference between ‘Modexpress then’ and ‘Modexpress now’?

‘When I started at Modexpress, I was one of the youngest in the company and knew almost everyone. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case! (laughs) But that’s part of the growth we have gone through.

One of the biggest changes has been the move from paper delivery notes to a Warehouse Management System. Instead of manually counting everything and writing down locations, we could suddenly look it up easily in the WMS. It opened up a whole new world for us.

I will also never forget the first B2C order in 2010. We had to deliver it ourselves to the post office because there were no carriers picking up shipments yet. It was two items in one order, while we were used to processing daily B2B orders ranging from 100 to 10,000 items. I remember thinking, ‘this will never work,’ not knowing that, many years later, B2C would account for 50% of our business.’

What do you enjoy about working with your colleagues?

‘I really enjoy the informal atmosphere. There’s very little rigidness or hierarchy. I’ve now been here so long that I can hardly imagine working anywhere else. I feel at home among the people I work with. With some colleagues, I have formed genuine friendships and with others, it’s mostly fun or just good professional collegiality. I also experience this sense of togetherness with the five colleagues I work together with to organise social company activities.’

What I enjoy most about working at Modexpress:

‘Working towards a clear result. Whether it’s a new report or a new application for Finance, what matters for me is achieving something that truly adds value.’

If I had to describe Modexpress in a few words:

‘Family, freedom and customer focus.’

My favourite customer question:

‘A question where we have the opportunity to exceed the customer’s expectations. I find it challenging when, for whatever reason, we are unable to help a customer.’

What colleagues and/or clients don’t know about me:

‘I’m pretty much an open book but whatever they don’t know, I’m not going to reveal here!

Driving Ambition Together means to me:

‘Working together with other departments to contribute to the company’s results. As a support function, our role is to assist operations. Ultimately, it’s a team effort, because without the work of colleagues in the warehouse and other departments, we wouldn’t have anything to invoice.’

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