Levi van Houwelingen (27) can tell you all about it
What started as an internship grew, in just four years, into a versatile role in sales. His story shows how far you can go at Schenk when you’re given opportunities — and take them.
A change of direction
After finishing secondary school, Levi initially pursued a course in hospitality. However, the COVID period prompted him to rethink his path. He chose a new direction and enrolled in Logistics Management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences — a field that better matched his interests and ambitions.
For his graduation internship, Levi chose Schenk, taking his first real steps into the professional world. It quickly became clear that he had made the right decision.
“At Schenk, I was given trust and responsibility from day one. My main focus was my thesis, but I was also able to observe, contribute ideas and get involved across the business.” – Levi
Growing with Schenk
After his internship, Levi began working at Schenk in a Customer Service role. The start was challenging. When his direct supervisor left, Levi was given the freedom to figure many things out for himself. That situation proved to be valuable. “I became more independent, learned to make decisions more quickly and gained confidence,” Levi explains.
As Schenk grew to 2,900 employees, Levi grew alongside the company. He became a team leader and, earlier this year, made the move into Inside Sales.
“Everyone plays their own role in the way we work at Schenk. That’s why collaboration is so important.”
Inside Sales: precision in calculations, proactive thinking
In his current role, Levi handles customer requests and prepares detailed pricing calculations. He assesses whether requests fit within Schenk’s portfolio, taking everything into account — routes, toll roads, tunnels, cost structures, and overall feasibility.
“A small mistake can have major consequences,” he says. “That’s exactly what makes the work interesting. You feel the responsibility.” Alongside this, he has frequent contact with customers and continues to develop in his role. He also works closely with the Customer Service team.
Theory and practice reinforce each other
Levi combines his background in logistics and business studies with the hands-on experience he gains every day at Schenk. He takes a sharp, analytical approach to costs, margins and efficiency. “I always try to ask myself: can this be done smarter, better or more cost-effective?”
At the same time, he recognises how important practical knowledge is:
“Practical knowledge is just as important — you learn it here every day from your colleagues. The interplay between theory and practice is what makes working together at Schenk so enjoyable.”
Freedom to shape your own path
Levi always made it clear that he wanted to continue developing. By actively contributing ideas and recognising opportunities, the move into sales came naturally. He is now exploring where his future lies: a more customer-focused role, for example in the field, or a more analytical direction in market and data analysis. “You’re not held back here. At Schenk, you’re given the freedom to discover what suits you.”
Why Schenk?
What makes Schenk special to Levi is its culture: open, flexible and built on trust. “At Schenk, people don’t watch the clock. What matters is that you take responsibility and show what you’re capable of — and you get a lot in return.” Levi’s story shows what drives Schenk: giving trust, taking responsibility and, above all, growing together. At Schenk, you are given the space to develop — in every role, in your own way. Growth begins when you make the most of that space and continue learning from one another.
Can you see yourself at Schenk? Ready to grow with us?
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