Always be yourself.
Unless you can be an Otter. Then be an Otter.
You can still call me Steije. 🦦
— From service to strategy
What began as a dream of becoming a croissant baker grew into a deep passion for restaurant concepts. From hands-on roles in the kitchen, waiting tables, and even doing the dishes, my journey has taken me through every layer of the hospitality world. Over time, I've transitioned from the floor to company's decision making units - optimizing operations, scaling restaurant chains, and evolving into an analytics-driven strategist focused on impactful change and growth.
— My scope
Reporting, Dashboarding and Analytics
Process Optimization
Strategic Project Management
Interdepartmental Initiatives
Market Research & Pricing
— Latest work experience
Strategic Growth Project Manager
Hawaiian Poké Bowl / Current Role
After a year as Channel Manager, where I also took on responsibilities in Business Analytics and led various cross-functional projects, I transitioned into a full-time role as Strategic Growth Project Manager.
Digital Operations Manager
Casper - Virtual Food Court / 2020 - 2024
I grew within this startup, led by industry leader Matthias Laga, and helped lay the foundation for its operational processes, starting in kitchen operations and later shaping its digital workflows.
— Education
KU Leuven
Postgraduate, Big Data & Analytics in Business & Management
Karel de Grote University College
Bachelor's degree, Business Administration
— But I'm also proud of...
Starting my 2nd company, Otter
After learning that starting a Croissant Bakery during COVID was too optimistic
Running my first marathon in 2025
And promising myself I'd never do that again (hah..)
"The difference between surviving and thriving is strategy. Sometimes, all you need is an Otter perspective."
And why an Otter?
(also because you can't unsee it)
— Problem Solving
Otters are known for their tool use; they use rocks to crack open shellfish, showing creativity and adaptability. You may not always have the tools and infrastructure available, which means being able to adapt to the accessible resources could be a key strength.
— Collaborative
Otters often live and hunt in groups; they communicate and work together well. Perfect for the hospitality industry, where teamwork and coordination are vital. It signals you're a partner, not just a provider.
— Playful but Focused
They exhibit playful behavior but are also efficient hunters and survivors. This duality mirrors a collaborator that's approachable, creative, and yet competent and driven.
— Agile and Adaptable
The animals move effortlessly between water and land, adjusting to their environment. This reflects flexibility and adaptability across different business functions and departments.
