From Bordeaux to the fast-paced world of international fresh produce trading in the Netherlands, Flora Lefebvre has embraced every opportunity that came with joining our commercial department as an intern.
Currently in her second year at KEDGE Business School, Flora is pursuing a bachelor’s degree while discovering what an international commercial environment truly looks like in practice. Drawn by the international aspect industry and the chance to work with people from all around the world, she decided to take on an experience abroad.
“I never expected to end up in the Netherlands,” Flora says, “but when the opportunity came up, I took it.”
As part of the stone fruit and citrus team, Flora’s days begin early. By 6:45 in the morning, the commercial department is already active, with team meetings setting the tone for the day ahead. One of her first responsibilities is preparing and sending out the daily price lists before moving into sales activities, mainly working with French clients during the morning. Later in the day, her focus shifts toward administrative tasks and preparing everything needed for the following morning’s operations.
The fast pace of the industry was one of the first things that stood out to her. Although she expected a dynamic environment, the speed and complexity of the business still surprised her.
“It’s much faster than I imagined,” she explains. “There’s always something happening, and there was an incredible amount to learn in such a short period of time.”
During her onboarding period, Flora spent several weeks exploring different parts of the company, from warehouse operations and quality control to production and supply chain processes. This introduction gave her a complete overview of how products move through the business and how closely connected every department is.
Throughout her internship, Flora has supported both the stone fruit and citrus teams in a variety of ways, including preparing market reports, assisting account managers, and creating presentations for clients interested in citrus programs. Alongside learning the commercial side of the business, she also discovered the importance of communication in such a fast-moving environment.
“I learned how important communication really is, both with clients with understanding their needs and within the team” she says. “You need to understand people, adapt quickly, and work closely together every day.”
The experience has also helped her develop professional skills that go far beyond the classroom. From understanding the sales process and client relationships to improving her adaptability and time management, Flora also mentions that working in such an international environment has significantly improved her English communication skills.
What she appreciates most about the company is the sense of responsibility interns receive from the very beginning.
“You don’t feel like you’re just observing,” Flora says. “You are trusted with real tasks and real responsibilities, which helps you learn so much faster.”
Working in such a dynamic environment has also been a highlight of her experience. She describes the commercial department as energetic and very interactive, where colleagues are constantly exchanging information about markets, prices, and customer needs.
“No day is ever the same,” she says. “That’s what makes it exciting.”
Looking ahead, Flora plans to complete her bachelor’s degree before continuing with a master’s program. While this internship confirmed her interest in international business, it also opened her eyes to many different career paths within the industry. She especially discovered that she enjoys combining commercial work with creativity, such as building presentations and working closely with clients.
As a recognized training company (“leerbedrijf”), the internship environment also gives students the opportunity to gain practical experience and take on real responsibilities from the start, something Flora believes made a big difference in her own development.
According to Flora, that combination of learning, responsibility, and support is what makes the experience so valuable. For future interns considering a similar experience, her advice is simple: stay curious, ask questions, and never be afraid to ask for help.
Interested in learning more about working at Roveg? Visit Werken bij Roveg to explore our company and current vacancies.