Martijn Rigutto - Trainee Purchasing & Trading
De Heus offers young professionals an unique opportunity to develop themselves in an international and entrepreneurial environment. Martijn Rigutto (25), a trainee in Purchasing & Trading at De Heus, shares his experiences on how he joined the company and what the traineeship means for his career. He gives a glimpse behind the scenes of a fast-growing international organisation where initiative, responsibility, and entrepreneurship are central.
Trainee Purchasing & Trading
From Econometrics to the commodities market
With a background in Econometrics and Data Science, Martijn had many different career options. “After my studies, I had applications with large Dutch corporates and strategy consultancies,” Martijn says. “But it was my former classmate, Tim van der Vegt, who introduced me to De Heus.” Although he initially had little affinity with the animal feed market, the international nature and entrepreneurial mindset of De Heus won him over.
Martijn explains, “Did you know that billions of euros' worth of raw materials are traded worldwide each year, and fluctuations in raw material prices have a direct impact on global food supply? Well, neither did I!” For Martijn, with his background in econometric models and data analysis, this presented an interesting challenge.
First impressions and quick responsibility
Martijn decided to apply for the Purchasing & Trading traineeship. “What immediately appealed to me was the freedom and responsibility given to trainees from day one. At De Heus, you get direct exposure to senior management from the start and are involved in decision-making processes,” he explains. Shortly after beginning, Martijn was sent abroad for his first project.
Trips to Geneva, Africa and Birmingham
One of the biggest surprises for Martijn was how quickly he gained international experience. “Before long, I had the opportunity to travel with my team to Geneva to visit our suppliers,” he says. Shortly afterwards, a trip to Ivory Coast and Ghana followed, where De Heus has been active for several years. “In Ivory Coast, we travelled across the entire country to visit a maize supplier. That was a very special experience.” Martijn was then asked to give a presentation on the commodities market at a client event in Birmingham. “These trips gave me a unique opportunity not only to learn about the industry and the markets but also to make a direct contribution to De Heus’ international trade strategy,” Martijn adds.
Kickstart your career in trading and purchasing with the De Heus traineeship.
Apply now and grow with us!Entrepreneurship and a flat organisational culture
According to Martijn, the entrepreneurial mentality and flat organisational structure are what make De Heus one of a kind. “The freedom you get to bring forward your own ideas and implement them is a major plus. The organisation encourages entrepreneurship and motivates you to take initiative.”
Daily work: balancing between analysis and action
A large part of Martijn’s work involves following global markets. “We gather market information to forecast trends in raw material prices,” he explains. This helps De Heus make strategic decisions on when to purchase raw materials. “Even as a trainee, you hold a great deal of responsibility. It requires a sharp insight into market trends and an analytical mindset.” Each trainee is assigned a specific product to monitor and analyse. For Martijn, that product is rapeseed. “It gives you the chance to develop specialist knowledge and contribute to the company’s success.”
World-class Workplace
We are extremely proud that De Heus was awarded the World-class Workplace label for 2024-2025. At De Heus you work in an environment where the employee is central.
International collaboration and networking
Another key aspect of the traineeship is international collaboration. De Heus works closely with colleagues from different markets, from the Netherlands and Spain to Vietnam and Africa. “The weekly international meetings ensure that we are all up to date on the latest market developments and can coordinate purchasing strategies globally,” says Martijn.
“Since my job contains a lot of international activities you might think that I do not have close contacts in the office. But that is not true”. De Heus also offers young professionals the chance to be part of Young De Heus, a network that organises social and professional activities with colleagues up to 35 years old. “It really helps you feel at home in the organisation quickly and expand your network,” he adds.
A traineeship full of opportunities
The traineeship at De Heus offers a combination of responsibility, international experience, and entrepreneurship. “For me, it’s an opportunity to develop myself both professionally and personally. If you enjoy a dynamic environment where you can grow quickly and take on responsibility, then this traineeship is definitely for you,” Martijn concludes.
