Max Van der Heijden

Master’s student (Business Administration – Strategy track) with experience in finance operations, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

At Flow

Traders, I improved finance and procurement processes and uncovered duplicate payments through financial data analysis. As the founder of Brakka, I scaled the brand from zero to €250k revenue in the first year, while completing my bachelor’s degree, starting my master’s and working at Flow Traders. Skilled in financial management, business development, and partnership building.

Experience

Flow Traders

Working Student, Finance (AP & Procurement) | Amsterdam | Dec 2024 – Present

• Process ~ 800 invoices/month in Exact Globe/Synergy; reduced month-end close from six to four days through automation.
• Analyzed financial data with Excel to identify duplicate supplier payments, correcting errors and preventing financial losses.
• Supported rollout of ZIP procurement with process design, category mapping, and training.

Brakka B.V.

Founder | Finance & Business Development Lead | Amsterdam | 2024 – Present

• Co-founded and scaled a B2C/B2B underwear brand from 0 to €250k revenue in the first year, alongside a study, Flow Traders, and board commitments.
• Secured partnerships with Kesbeke and Dries Roelvink, and initiated co-branding/licensing discussions with AXE (Unilever).
• Built retail pipeline, including a 25k-unit listing opportunity with PLUS supermarkets.
• Responsible for finance and operations: full P&L management, budgeting, cash flow planning, and investor reporting.

Kwaspen Group 

Junior Sales | Amsterdam | 2024

• Supported the spin-out of Brakka from Kwaspen Group.
• Sold B2B projects, including a 180k + reusable cups deal with AZ Alkmaar, and coordinated product launches.
• Helped win and deliver projects for Marie-Stella-Maris and Nationale Postcode Loterij, expanding Kwaspen’s sustainable product portfolio.

Deloitte 

Working Student, WOZ Advisory & Digital Real Estate | Amsterdam | 2023 – 2024

• Automated data analysis workflows, reducing turnaround times by ~15%.
• Prepared structured datasets for municipal tax appeal cases, supporting successful outcomes.

Koziol 

Sales Representative (Benelux & Germany)

• 2021 – 2022 (part-time): Supported distributor relations and expanded B2B pipeline in Benelux, Croatia, and Curacao.
• 2019 – 2020: Managed sales at trade shows, generating ~€80k in orders; reduced return rates through improved distributor onboarding.

Early Sales & Logistics (2017–2021)

Medtester: Regional logistics for COVID-19 self-tests.

Direct Result: Team lead street fundraising (top 5% conversion).

Education The University of Amsterdam – Amsterdam School of Business

MSc in Business Administration – Strategy Track Expected 2025–2026

The University of Amsterdam – Amsterdam School of Business

BSc in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship & Finance Track 2021-2025

• Thesis (Entrepreneurship): Willingness to Purchase Sustainable Products at Albert Heijn (7.5/10)
• Thesis (Finance): Influence of ESG Risk Scores on Executive Compensation (8.0/10)
• Additional coursework: Corporate Finance, Investment Portfolio 1