Richard Willems
Lead software delivery
Introduction
Hello, thank you for taking the time to visit my website. My name is Richard Willems, and I've been actively involved in managing, realising, and implementing software solutions for over 25 years.
I consider it a daily challenge to solve complex IT issues as simply as possible, focusing on efficiency in the execution and on the quality of the solution. Over the past years, I've built dozens of apps and integrations using Python, Go, and JavaScript. Additionally, I've established multiple SaaS companies, led development teams, and managed various projects.
My primary interest lies in improving the software delivery process, in terms of management, execution and the effective utilisation of development methods, technology, and AI.
I have extensive knowledge of software development, project management, resource management, mobility, and financial processes. Furthermore, I have experience in establishing and leading SaaS companies and managing development teams.
I excel as a Team Lead, Project Manager, Product Owner, or Full Stack Lead Developer.
On a personal note, I am informal, hands-on, straightforward, enthusiastic, eager to learn, driven, and I have excellent communication skills. Thanks to my background, I can bridge the gap between IT and business effectively and I am constantly seek ways to improve both the development process and the team.
I prefer working in an environment that values a results-oriented approach. Additionally, I enjoy working in a team with clear communication and a no-nonsense mentality.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling and sports. I am happily married to Marnie and am the proud father of Alice (1993) and Jackie (1995).
Skills
Software Delivery Management
Software Development
Software Design & Architecture
People Management
Product Owner
Project Management
Software Quality Assurance
Mobility
Resource Management
Change Management
Financial Accounting
Software Selection
Interaction Design
Python
Go
SQL
NodeJS
HTML5
CSS3
Javascript
Lit-Element
Native Web Components
VueJS
GIT
GitLab
GitHub
Django
DRF
Celery
Flask
Starlette
Jinja2
SQLAlchemy
ExpressJS
Docker
Mocha
Chai
Jest
Pytest/Unittest
FastAPI
React
NextJS
Angular
TypeScript
Cypress
Coldfusion
Jenkins
Shell
Digital Ocean
AWS
Google Cloud
Dutch
English
Background
After completing my Computer Science studies, I started working at PVF Pensioenen. There, I served as an information analyst, project manager, and line manager in the asset management division.
Later on, I carried out various projects for financial service providers while working at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
After working as an independent consultant for some time, I co-founded the consultancy firm Kreensky. I worked as a project manager on various projects in the media industry and with Insurance companies.
In the following years, I was heavily involved in founding and managing Timewax. Timewax is a SaaS solution for project and resource management. I was responsible for the Research & Development department. Initially, I worked as a lead developer during Timewax's early stages, and later, my role shifted to that of a manager. I established a team of 10+ developers, with half of them working in Lisbon and the other half in Amsterdam. In 2018, I decided to step down as a manager at Timewax due to significant differences in views on how to lead the company forward. Additionally, I wanted to focus more on the technical aspects.
Afterward, I enjoyed working on personal projects for a few months. Starting in late 2019, I joined Servicehouse as a lead developer, where we developed an entirely new software solution to support the entire mobility process. In 2021, Servicehouse was acquired by Coolblue, and I was responsible for the development team and also engaged in various product owner activities.
In recent months, I founded Orange Elements. The goal of Orange Elements is to improve the software delivery process. Our first product is a no-code solution designed for smaller teams. With this no-code solution, I created applications to support the complete software delivery cycle, including applications for product management, project management, roadmap management and test management, all fully integrated into a software solution.
Experience
2023/02 - now
Orange Elements - Owner
Founding Orange Elements: Orange Elements aims to simplify and enhance the software delivery process.
I've been involved in both business-related and software-related activities, including setting up the website, running a Google Ads campaign, creating terms and conditions along with privacy policies. I've also been responsible for designing and building a native web component framework, a CSS utility framework, and writing JavaScript and Go code to support Single Page Application (SPA) functionality for server-side rendering. Additionally, I've worked on implementing Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) functionality and creating a straightforward app store and onboarding process.
2019 - 2023/01
Coolblue Energie - Tech lead & team lead
I was technically responsible for building and operating the entire application landscape for mobility. Additionally, I held line responsibility for the developers within the mobility team. I also performed a significant amount of product owner work and had extensive communication with senior management on this matter.
We built solutions from the ground up for the entire mobility process, catering to both the MSP (Mobility Service Provider) and CPO (Charge Point Operator) roles. This included OCPI and OICP/Hubject integrations, support for the complete billing process including metric reporting, the development of multiple portals for monitoring charging behaviour, the request and activation of charging cards, and a self-service solution for the commercial activities of dealers and leasing companies. We also realised over 250 REST services, a generic integration solution with support for webhooks and RabbitMQ, and a package for scaffolding models, factories, serializers, viewsets, and unit tests.
2019
4Kings - Full-stack engineer
In Q1, I was still working at Timewax, but from Q2 onwards, I focused on personal projects, which included:
Creating a UI components library in Vue.js. Building a prototype for a no-code solution in Vue.js and developing a code generator and compiler in Python.
2018
Timewax - Manager
I was responsible for the development team, which consisted of 10 developers and DevOps. I set up the development process in GitLab, including managing repositories, handling release and issue management, and conducting code reviews. We built several apps in Vue.js, one of which was a client portal for time authorization by clients.
I also had the responsibility for migrating to Google Cloud, which included implementing a CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipeline in GitLab as part of the migration process.
2017
Timewax - Manager & Full-stack engineer
I built various apps using ExtJS, Python, and Node.js, which included a Dashboard, Time Sheets, Resource Requests, a Gantt chart, and Utilisation.
2016
Timewax - Manager & Full-stack engineer
I established a development department in Lisbon and oversaw the creation of various apps, including expense reports, leave requests, authorization processes, and an inquiry tool that allowed users to build queries independently.
2015
Timewax - Full-stack engineer
I set up a deployment pipeline in Jenkins for over 50 repositories. Additionally, I worked on developing an calendar and planning board application for scheduling people and resources. Furthermore, I implemented various performance improvements in Python and SQL to enhance the system's efficiency.
2014
Timewax - Full-stack engineer
I developed a framework in ExtJS and Python for automatically rendering CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) applications. I also created applications for managing various entities such as people, projects, clients, departments, roles, skills, and user profiles. Additionally, I worked on various integrations with Exact Online.
2013
Timewax - Full-stack engineer
I implemented a custom Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) system in Python. Additionally, I created a frontend theme in Sass and developed various integrations with Twinfield and AFAS.
2012
Timewax - Full-stack engineer
I launched the first Timewax applications, including applications for issue and risk management, project planning, and portfolio management.
2011
Kreensky - Project manager & Information analyst
I served as a project manager responsible for building a financial application to provide insight into the tax position at an insurance company.
Additionally, I worked as an analyst to help define the financial information architecture within an insurance company for the Shared Service Center.
I conducted feasibility studies, including an examination of CODA Financials and SAP, for financial administration within an insurance company.
Lastly, I was responsible as a project manager for the phase-out of customisations in a general ledger system at an insurance company.
2010
Kreensky - Project manager
I conducted a preliminary investigation into the phase-out of customisations around a general ledger system at an insurance company.
I was also responsible for implementing an application integration solution and the realisation of 10 integrations at an insurance company.
2009
Kreensky - Project manager
I was responsible for the process design and IT implementation of accounts receivable and accounts payable administration at an insurance company.
2004 - 2009
Kreensky - Project manager & Full-stack engineer
As a project manager, I was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of various software systems at insurance companies, stock exchanges, and media producers both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Additionally, as a software engineer, I assisted in the construction of various software systems, including reporting components.
2001 - 2003
4Kings - Consultant
I was involved in several roles and responsibilities, including:
Developing quality assurance software for assessing the configuration of financial software.
Acting as a business consultant, where I designed and implemented various financial systems at an insurance company.
Serving as a project manager, overseeing the implementation of accounts receivable administration at an insurance company.
1999 - 2001
PriceWaterhouseCoopers - Consultant
As a project manager, I was responsible for conducting various preliminary investigations and implementing financial systems such as Coda Financials and Oracle Financials at a stock exchange and various financial service providers.
Additionally, I carried out various sales activities in my role.
1992 - 1998
PVF Pensioenen Achmea
In my role as the Manager of Information Services, I had the following responsibilities:
Integration of two IT departments.
People management for the Information Services department in asset management.
Project management for various package selections and implementations in asset management and financial administration.
Information analysis, involving the creation of requirement specifications for various package selections and writing functional designs for customisations and integrations.