Ferdinand van Butzelaar

Founder

Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands5 yrs experience

Key Highlights

  • Expert in building scalable data platforms.
  • Proven track record in data engineering and analytics.
  • Strong leadership in cross-functional team collaboration.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Data Engineering and Analytics expert in the SaaS and Fintech industries.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Data EngineeringDatabricksData Analytics

Other Skills

Analytisch denkvermogenDatabricks-productenAzure DatabricksVrijwillligers aansturenStartup DevelopmentMarketing CommunicationsNonprofitsStrategieTeamworkPublic SpeakingRelationship ManagementData-engineering

About

Tech Leader in Databricks, Platform Architecture & Engineering Every organization says it wants to be data-driven. Very few actually build the platform to make it real. The gap. Data platforms grow organically. One team builds a pipeline. Another spins up a notebook. A third connects a dashboard to a source nobody fully understands. Before long, what exists isn't a platform — it's a patchwork. Fragile. Tribal. Impossible to observe. Data engineers spend more time firefighting than building. ML models never leave a notebook. Leadership stops trusting the numbers. This is the problem most companies live with. It doesn't have to be. The shift. What changes everything is architecture with intention. A unified data and AI platform — not stitched together from leftovers, but designed from the ground up. Observable. Scalable. Built for the engineers who use it every single day. That means defining the vision and doing the work. Strategy sessions with leadership and production code alongside engineers. Reference architectures and engineering standards for platform teams, data teams, and ML teams — designed to hold up under real-world pressure, not just on a whiteboard. Platform observability isn't an afterthought. It's built in from day one. Pipeline health. Data quality. Cost governance. System performance. Full visibility. No blind spots. The platform. The foundation is Databricks — lakehouse architecture, Unity Catalog, Delta Live Tables, MLflow, Workflows, Spark SQL, PySpark. The cloud layer spans Azure, AWS, and GCP — choosing the right components for the job, not defaulting to a single vendor playbook. Tooling like Kafka, Power BI, Tableau, Hugging Face, and LangChain earns its place by adding genuine value — not by filling a slide deck. The difference. Clients engage when they're done with band-aid solutions and ready to invest in a platform that scales. They stay because every technical decision connects to a business outcome — and the architecture their teams inherit is one they can actually maintain and evolve. Engineers lean in because the environment is built for meaningful work. Clear standards. Real ownership. Modern tooling. Space to grow. No chaos dressed up as agility — just platform thinking that becomes second nature. The invitation. Modernizing a data platform. Scaling AI capabilities. Building a team that can do both. Whatever the ambition — the conversation starts here. E ferdinand.vanbutzelaar@lakehousepartners.ai M 0031 6 41 961 561

Experience

5 yrs
Total Experience
2 yrs 6 mos
Average Tenure
--
Current Experience

Lakehouse partners

Founder | Databricks Solution Partner | Building Data Intelligence Platforms

Jul 2024Present · 1 yr 10 mos

Spar holding netherlands

Senior Consultant | Data Architect & Engineer

Dec 2022Mar 2024 · 1 yr 3 mos · Waalwijk, North Brabant, Netherlands

  • ‣ Revamped team operations, resulting in a faster project delivery rate and fostering a more collaborative environment. This shift was attributed to my decision to migrate to Databricks as our central platform. Further, I facilitated targeted training sessions, empowering the team to unlock the platform's full potential.
  • ‣ Integrating the cutting-edge Azure Databricks framework, seamlessly connected to PowerBI. This strategic move led to a significant boost in data processing speeds and enhanced real-time transaction insights, marking a major milestone in our financial transaction management system overhaul.
  • ‣ Development and orchestration of new data pipelines within Databricks, with a strong focus on creating well-documented and readable code. This initiative not only optimized our data processes but also ensured that even junior data analysts on our team could easily understand and work with our systems, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
  • Achievement: Leveraged strategic implementations and fostered cross-functional collaboration to Spar's financial and transactional framework. These innovations position Spar to strengthen its market presence and pave the way for significant annual profit growth. Furthermore, they underscore Spar's dedication to evolving into an entirely data-driven organisation.
Data-engineeringAnalytisch denkvermogenDatabricks-productenAzure DatabricksData EngineeringDatabricks

The future group

Senior Consultant | Data Architect & Engineer

Nov 2022Jul 2024 · 1 yr 8 mos · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Data-engineeringAnalytisch denkvermogenDatabricks-productenAzure DatabricksData EngineeringDatabricks

The nextgen

Senior Consultant | Data Analytics & Data Engineering

Jul 2021Oct 2022 · 1 yr 3 mos · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Data-engineeringAnalytisch denkvermogenDatabricks-productenData AnalyticsAzure DatabricksData Engineering

Tbauctions

Senior Consultant | Data Analytics & Data Enginering

Jul 2021Oct 2022 · 1 yr 3 mos · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

  • ‣ Took on the challenge of analyzing the performance of over 17,000 sellers operating across 20+ business lines within the eight platforms under TBAuctions. Developed high-quality automated data pipelines, visualizations, and KPIs, streamlining decision-making processes and enhancing operational efficiency.
  • ‣ Recognized the need for improved data and code quality in compliance with GDPR/DAMA regulations. Implemented enhanced statistical models and cultivated an optimistic, quality-focused communication environment among stakeholders and data engineers, ensuring enhanced adherence to standards and stakeholder satisfaction.
  • ‣ Identified the opportunity for growth and development in 4 data analysts on our team. Engaged in active coaching on various projects according to our analytics roadmap, empowering them to deliver high-quality work and contributing to our overall team productivity.
  • Achievement: Addressed the pressing need to augment the profitability of sellers, categories, and business lines for the BVA platform's sales department. Pioneered the creation of a data-driven business environment, boosting profits annually and positioning the platform for sustained financial growth.
Data-engineeringAnalytisch denkvermogenDatabricks-productenData AnalyticsAzure DatabricksData Engineering

Ahold delhaize

Senior Analytics Engineer

Feb 2019Jun 2021 · 2 yrs 4 mos · Zaandam, North Holland, Netherlands

  • ‣ Faced with the challenge of improving supply chain efficiency for over 2,000 locations and 20+ carriers serving Albert Heijn, Etos, and Gall & Gall, I developed efficient ETLs, data visualizations, and KPIs, resulting in enhanced operational performance in restocking distribution centres and stores.
  • ‣ Encountered a team of 55+ individuals with limited Tableau proficiency. Conducted comprehensive training sessions to educate them in the viewer, explorer, and creator roles, enhancing their skills and promoting data-driven decision-making within the team.
  • ‣ Identified the recurring problem of delayed deliveries and developed a machine learning model to study elements contributing to the delay. This innovative approach led to identifying and rectifying bottlenecks and improving delivery efficiency.
  • Achievement: Recognized the potential for increased efficiency and cost-saving in the Transport Department. I championed the creation of a data-driven environment, introducing novel insights that improved decision-making. These strategic improvements led to annual savings of over €4.5 million.
Data-engineeringAnalytisch denkvermogenDatabricks-productenData AnalyticsAzure DatabricksData Engineering

Nederlandse spoorwegen

Medior Data Analyst

Apr 2016Jan 2019 · 2 yrs 9 mos · Utrecht, Netherlands

  • ‣ Tasked with the complex management of over 23,000 national train driver and conductor shifts weekly, I developed alternative schedules (including unique scenarios like King's Day) grounded in meticulous data analysis. This approach greatly improved the efficiency and adaptability of our scheduling process.
  • ‣ Recognized issues with our current schedules in relation to the collective employment agreement (CAO). I worked on refining these schedules for better alignment with the CAO, using data-driven strategies. This resulted in improved compliance and increased employee satisfaction.
  • ‣ Faced with maintaining strong relations with 28 regional shift leaders, I adopted a consultative approach and provided them with insightful advice, strengthening relationships and fostering a collaborative work environment.
  • Achievement: Identified opportunities for enhanced efficiency in employee and taxi schedules. Through refining existing parameters and developing new ones based on analytical insights, I saved €1.28 million annually for the company.
Analytisch denkvermogenDatabricks-productenData AnalyticsAzure Databricks

Non-porfit oh deer!

Festival Organizer

Feb 2012Aug 2015 · 3 yrs 6 mos · Harderwijk, Nederland

  • ‣ Faced with the challenge of organizing the event Oh Deer! Events & Dive Festival, I managed five yearly productions, ensuring successful and vibrant cultural events for the city of Harderwijk.
  • ‣ During the pre-production stage, given the roles of the festival organiser, artist booker, internship supervisor, volunteer recruiter, and liaison with the local community, I executed these responsibilities efficiently (Y). This led to a well-organized and engaging event.
  • ‣ Appointed as the location manager during the productions, I supervised the stage, backstage, hospitality area, and the artist village and coordinated over 65 volunteers. This resulted in smooth operations and a positive experience for all involved.
  • Achievement: Tasked with providing a cultural contribution to the city of Harderwijk through organizing events, I successfully orchestrated the Oh Deer! Events & Dive Festival, enriching cultural experiences, thus bolstering the city's cultural scene.

Nacht van de fooi

City Coordinator for the National Board

Oct 2011Nov 2012 · 1 yr 1 mo · Utrecht, Netherlands

  • ‣ Tasked with venue management in Utrecht, Leiden, and Haarlem, I coordinated the development and production processes, ensuring successful venue operations.
  • ‣ Given the foundation's growth needs, I provided structured creative inputs, propelling the foundation's development.
  • Achievement: Leading three city boards with their venues, I guided 22 volunteers to raise over €15,000 from various establishments, significantly boosting our foundation's resources.

Crystalmotion

Co-Founder & Project Director

Jun 2011Apr 2016 · 4 yrs 10 mos · Utrecht, Netherlands

  • ‣ Initiated the formation of a start-up in the stage design and video production sector. Co-founded and directed project operations at CrystalMotion, overseeing the creation of new visual productions. This laid the groundwork for our innovative portfolio and the successful establishment of our company.
  • ‣ Saw the potential for collaborative efforts with talented artists, venues, and events. Spearheaded the development of partnerships and the maintenance of relationships with these entities. This led to the realization of high-profile collaborations, fostering our reputation in the industry.
  • Achievement: Acknowledged a gap in the market for custom-made video productions and real-time visual operations. Launched a start-up equipped with our high-tech software to fill this niche. We were able to cater to high-profile clients like Martin Garrix and various venues and events, positioning our start-up as a notable player in the industry.

Pepperminds

Lead Sales Promoter (D2D and Festival Campaigns)

Sep 2010Sep 2012 · 2 yrs · Utrecht, Netherlands

  • ‣ Tasked with improving the performance of my street team, I boosted their effectiveness, leading to increased sales for various foundations.
  • ‣ Intending to sell subscriptions for diverse foundations, I succeeded in making these sales, expanding the reach and impact of the foundations.
  • Achievement: Tasked with selling subscriptions for foundations, I successfully sold 812 subscriptions, significantly supporting these foundations.

Education

Utrecht University

Minor Entrepreneurship — Entrepreneurship

Jan 2013Jan 2014

Hogeschool van Utrecht

HBO — Construction Technical Business (DNF)

Jan 2010Jan 2013

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