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Personal contact and broad experience come together in perfect match
As an experienced freelancer in the complex manufacturing industry, Frans Looijen wasn’t actively looking for a new assignment. Yet Enrico from Vibe Group still managed to pique his interest in a challenging role at a leading Dutch technology company. And Frans is glad he did: “When Enrico contacted me, I decided to just see where it would go,” he says. “It turned out to be a great move.”
From mechanical engineer to all-round consultant in complex projects
With a background in mechanical engineering, Frans has been working independently for several years. His strength lies in bridging IT and business within organisations in the manufacturing industry. “I’m a generalist, not a specialist,” he explains. “I quickly get a sense of how an organisation works and understand the link between processes, technology and culture.”
That broad perspective is particularly valuable in industries where products often take years to move from concept to market, such as medical devices, food processing systems or high-tech machinery. Frans’ experience lies in complex projects where precision is important. He’s never had to actively recruit. “My projects are usually long-term, so I rarely need to chase new work,” he adds. “Assignments often last a year or more.”
The right approach at the right time
Enrico first reached out to Frans via LinkedIn in the summer of 2024. At the time, Frans was in between two major milestones at a company producing radiation equipment. “I wasn’t actively looking, but I was reflecting on whether to continue into the next project phase,” he recalls. “It was a natural moment to consider a change.”
What stood out most to Frans was Enrico’s personal, genuine approach. “He stayed in touch in a friendly, relaxed way. No pressure, just casually checking in occasionally to see how I was doing. I really appreciated that.” When the timing was right, Enrico came back with a role that turned out to be a perfect match.
From first interview to placement: a personal journey
Frans’s first meeting with his current client was memorable. “We talked for an hour and a half, of which only ten minutes about work,” he laughs. “The rest was about life, about ups and downs. That human connection matters a lot to me. You build a feeling of trust right away.”
He also insists on visiting in person before committing to an assignment. The initial meeting was followed by an on-site visit, during which Frans was also able to experience the shop floor and the culture. “I want to experience the atmosphere and see how the organisation really works,” he says. “Enrico completely understood and encouraged that approach.”
The experience of
Consultant Frans
"You really feel you’re working with people, not just a company. That openness and clarity just make for a great partnership."
From PLM Architect to Configuration Management
Frans initially started as a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) architect. “In manufacturing, projects can run for years from first idea to delivery,” he explains. “A PLM architect oversees that whole process, how business goals connect to IT and data, and where potential bottlenecks lie.”
After some time in this role, an opportunity came up in configuration management, a key pillar of PLM. Frans immediately took interest, having done similar work before. “It’s a demanding role,” he says. “You need to keep control at every stage: who creates what, when, and why. With complex products, you must be able to demonstrate compliance with the contract not just at delivery, but years later during maintenance or service. If you don't manage this well, you miss milestones and run risks.”
He adds that the role requires both technical understanding and cultural sensitivity. “Many manufacturing companies have deep-rooted ways of working. To introduce change, you need tact, openness and personal contact. Qualities I really value and try to bring to every project.”
Working together in an open, transparent way
For Frans, the collaboration with Enrico stands out from other recruitment experiences. “Most recruiters jump straight into business: are you available, what’s your rate, can you travel? With Enrico it was completely different. He wanted to get to know me first as a person, then talk work. Enrico is always honest and open. That personal touch makes all the difference.”
The cooperation remains smooth and straightforward. “Everything’s organised transparently, from invoicing to communication. You really feel you’re working with people, not just a company. That openness and clarity just make for a great partnership.”
A perfect match
What impressed him most is that Enrico truly made the right match. “This was actually the first role I got through a recruiter. Usually I find assignments myself or through my network. But Enrico immediately understood what I was looking for, and connected me to exactly the right challenge.”
Frans looks back on the whole process with great satisfaction. His advice to others? “Even if you’re not actively looking, stay open. When someone like Enrico gets in touch, let yourself be surprised. It might just inspire your next step.”