What I do
About Jan Hein Hagenbeek
My Story
Meet Jan Hein, Commercial Food Technologist who leads with head and heart
I believe that sustainable business is built on substance and clarity, not smooth talk or lip service. With over 30 years of experience as a Commercial Food Technologist in the B2B ingredients industry, I bring a straight, honest, and direct approach to organizations that need results.
Whether you are looking for an interim executive to launch a European sales network, manage complex procurement, or simply provide the extra hands and brains your project needs, I focus on the bigger picture to get the job done.
However, I also know that true performance starts with people. That is why I lead with both head and heart. I aim to be the calm in the storm, using strategic empathy to keep your team motivated. We will hit your deadlines, but never lose sight of the human element.
My Approach
I step in to provide flexible interim support exactly where your organization needs it most. This might involve managing complex procurement projects or building a robust European sales network from the ground up. My assignments usually run for three to nine months, but I am happy to adapt to whatever the schedule requires. If the workload is heavy, I can even bring in a trusted team of experts to ensure we meet your deadlines without delay.
My Background
Educated as a Food Technologist at Wageningen University, I started my career in early 1993 shortly after graduation. My first role was a combination of technologist and account manager. I chose to further develop myself on the sales side, knowing that I could continue giving technological support to my customers; a very fruitful combination. Between 1993 and 2021, I worked at various multinationals in international sales and management functions, ranging from Sales Manager to Managing Director. Since 2021, I have been self-employed, accepting various temporary positions and projects.
The common thread throughout my career is ingredients. Primarily for Food & Beverages, though also extending to OTC-pharma and pet food.
How We Work Together
My goal is to become effective from day one. I do not believe in long, theoretical onboarding phases. Instead, I focus on rapid integration. I combine my background as a food technologist with commercial experience to understand your specific challenges immediately. Whether you need me for three months or nine, I act not just as an external consultant, but as a committed interim colleague who works with your organization, not above it.
Listen and Align
Before we act, we need to understand the reality on the ground. I start by listening to your stakeholders and your team to get the full picture. We will define clear deliverables and cut through the noise to identify exactly what success looks like for this assignment. This is about building rapport and trust quickly so we can move from planning to doing.
Execute and Empower
This is where the work gets done. I bring the extra hands and brains you need to drive the project forward, whether that means managing a procurement portfolio or establishing a sales network. While I focus on hitting deadlines and targets, I also focus on the people. I use a straightforward, empathetic leadership style to keep the team motivated, calm, and focused on the bigger picture.
Deliver and Sustain
I specialize in projects with a clear start and end. My job is to leave your organization stronger than I found it. As we approach the deadline, I ensure a smooth handover of knowledge and processes. I deliver the results we agreed upon, but I also ensure your permanent team is ready and confident to carry that success forward without me.