Thijs Hunink - Sales Manager Europe B2B

After completing his studies in animal nutrition, Thijs knew he wanted to work in the animal feed industry. While finishing his studies, he spoke with several companies, but one really stood out. “At De Heus, I felt welcome from the very first conversation. There was an open atmosphere and plenty of opportunities. It simply felt right.” More than twelve years later, that feeling remains unchanged.

Looking for a new challenge, Thijs became involved in supporting the Icelandic market for Koudijs alongside his role at De Heus. It was his first introduction to the international side of the business, and it quickly sparked his interest. Although Koudijs is part of a large organisation, it had an entrepreneurial feel, and the energy and ambition of the team immediately appealed to him. When the opportunity arose to join Koudijs as an Account Manager B2B, the decision was easy.

The move to Koudijs gave Thijs a completely new perspective on the business. As a ruminant specialist, he mainly worked directly with farmers. Today, he works with feed-producing companies that have larger organisations and multiple stakeholders. The conversations are different, and the decision-making processes are more complex. “I saw an opportunity to grow personally while also contributing to the growth of Koudijs. That’s what attracted me to this role.” The fact that I could also combine this with technical support in the ruminant sector made it even more interesting.

Ask Thijs what a typical working day looks like and he smiles. There really isn’t one. One week he may be travelling abroad to visit customers. The next week he could be delivering technical training sessions to nutritionists and sales teams. And sometimes the focus is on developing new business opportunities and building relationships with potential customers.

According to Thijs, one of De Heus’ greatest strengths is the freedom employees are given to shape their own careers. Rather than following a fixed career path, people are encouraged to take initiative and pursue opportunities that contribute to the company’s growth. His own career is a clear example of this. When he expressed his ambition to continue developing himself professionally, his manager actively supported him. And when the opportunity at Koudijs arose, he was encouraged to take that step.

Now, after more than three years at Koudijs, another opportunity for growth has presented itself. As of 1 January 2027, Thijs will become Sales Manager Europe B2B. “I’m very grateful for the trust I’ve been given and for the opportunity to take on a leadership role as well.” In this role, his drive to understand people and help them move forward will be highly valuable. “For me, it is essential to recognise that we can only remain successful when we work well together, with attention to the interests of both our customers and our colleagues. In my new role, I can make an even more positive contribution to this.”

One of the most valuable learning experiences at De Heus for Thijs was participating in the NextGen programme. The programme helped him reflect on his ambitions, better understand his strengths, and think more consciously about his future. For Thijs, the programme is a great example of how De Heus invests in its people. Whether it is developing technical expertise, leadership capabilities, or personal skills, employees are encouraged to continue learning and growing throughout their careers.

When asked what makes De Heus a great place to work, Thijs says: “If you enjoy taking initiative, are willing to learn, and like exploring new opportunities, De Heus offers plenty of room to do so. There is no fixed career path or standard profile you need to fit into.”