If Cristina Postelnicu had been just three centimeters taller, her life might have looked very differently today. She would have met the height requirement for police training, and a high school teacher might not have encouraged her to study computer science. But she was indeed three centimeters short, and so she followed the teacher’s advice. “To this day I am grateful for that advice. As a software developer, I work on challenging, complex puzzles every day. Solving them gives me an incredible sense of satisfaction.”
In November 2024, Cristina joined AD/01 – the newly launched tech studio of Ahold Delhaize in Bucharest – as SAP Business Warehouse Developer. At that point, she had already spent years working as an SAP Consultant, including a stint at Mega Image, one of Ahold Delhaize’s brands in Romania. “Funnily enough, back then, I remember thinking the company should really open a tech hub in Romania. We have so many skilled engineers here. When it finally happened and a friend told me about it, I immediately sent in my application. I like to joke that I came up with the idea for the tech studio before Ahold Delhaize did, haha.”
“I’m part of the Belgium South Central Europe (BeCSE) team, but I’m also part of AD/01, where we’re eager to support our local management team in growing the tech hub. AD/01 is the perfect place to explore different technologies used across projects, gain insight into how other teams are structured, and understand the value they bring to the operating companies. Learning from others adds significant value to our daily work. As a developer, this is an amazing place to work. We handle huge amounts of data, and our processes and reporting are always held to the highest standards. Having access to the latest technology and systems, we can easily meet those standards. The combination of a challenging environment and cutting-edge tech makes AD/01 the ideal workplace for me.”
Cristina had even more reasons to be excited about joining AD/01. “The idea of being part of something new and contributing to a growing organization really appeals to me. I’ve worked at a startup before, and I love the energy and vibe that are typical of these companies. At the same time, many startups fail. But since AD/01 is part of Ahold Delhaize, I’m confident it will be a success. In 2-3 years, I believe our local team will make a meaningful impact within the Ahold Delhaize group. What I love most about AD/01 is the energy and drive of the people; everyone is supportive and open to conversation. Tuesday is our mandatory office day, and it’s a day I truly enjoy because we can grab a coffee and dive into discussions about our projects.”
Building the best team together
The first few months flew by. Cristina dedicated nearly all her time and focus to understanding team dynamics and their integration with the brands’ local IT teams. At the same time, she applied her expertise to the ongoing migration from the current SAP BW system to the latest SAP BW/4HANA system. Having worked with this system before, she brings valuable expertise to her team. “What’s great is that everyone brings their own knowledge and experience to the table. Our team – The Vikings – consists of eleven people. Why are we called the Vikings? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. The other subteams within the SAP Data Platform team are named ‘The Samurai’ and ‘The Spartans’. The names reflect our drive to build the best, strongest teams while working closely together. Besides being incredibly supportive, we’re also very international, with team members from Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, India, Georgia, and Romania. I love working with people from different cultures and countries.”
“We’re eager to further build the team, learn about the technologies used by other brands and teams within Ahold Delhaize, and understand how they are organized to see the value they add to the operating companies. I firmly believe that learning from one another enriches our daily work, and I’m confident that in two to three years, the tech studio will contribute significantly to the Ahold Delhaize group. What I love most about AD/01 is our shared drive and high energy level; everyone is always ready to help and open to conversation. There’s so much we can learn from each other, both professionally and personally.”
And it’s certain that Cristina learns something new every day. “Those are the best days for me: when I’ve learned something or solved a complex challenge. Or even if we didn’t solve the problem, but as a team, we moved a step closer to the solution. Interestingly, the best ideas don’t always come to me during work hours. Sometimes, I find myself brainstorming with colleagues for hours, even late into the evening, only to go to sleep and wake up the next morning with the answer suddenly clear in my mind. It’s amazing how a good night’s rest can sometimes be the best breeding ground for great ideas.”
Transform the future of food retail
Great ideas are at the heart of AD/01, where people are determined to transform the future of food retail. Cristina is eager to contribute to meaningful changes. “I’d love to help the organization create an even greater positive impact on sustainability. I envision creating reports that offer deeper insights into how we can reduce food waste and use even less plastic. I think it’s important to leave this world a better place, so our children and future generations can also enjoy our planet. Even if it’s just a small contribution, if I can make a difference in that way, I’d be very happy.”
There's one challenge, though: disconnecting isn't exactly Cristina’s strong suit. Even when she’s away from her computer, she’s often still immersed in work. However, there’s one thing that helps her truly unwind: cooking and baking. “At the end of the day, cooking for my family is pure meditation for me. When I’m in the kitchen, I can completely disconnect. It’s a total win-win situation – I get to unwind, and my family gets to enjoy a good meal! Baking sourdough bread is my absolute passion. I started doing it to become more patient. Making one loaf takes two full days, as it needs to rise slowly. It’s a great lesson in patience. I’m still not the most patient person, but I’m a lot more patient than before I picked up this hobby. Another meditative moment for me is making my first coffee in the morning. It’s the very first thing I do when I wake up: brewing a cappuccino with two shots of espresso. It’s the perfect start to my day – and I must admit, a bit of an addiction, too.”
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Name: Cristina Postelnicu (1989)
Started working at AD/01: November 2024
Studied: MA Database Support for Business, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest (2014)
Living with: My husband, Cătălin, and our daughter, Adela (3)
Hobbies: Baking sourdough bread, cooking, and specialty coffee. I love strolling through the city with friends to discover coffee spots
Wake me up in the middle of the night for: To prepare the starter for sourdough bread. In fact, I even do sometimes
Favorite holiday destination: Sri Lanka. Not only is it a beautiful country, but it was also the first holiday with our daughter when she was 7 months old
Life-changing event: The birth of Adela
Biggest source of inspiration: Monica Ioniță, one of my best friends. She transformed her life by dedicating herself to creating art from recycled materials, reconditioning old furniture, and crafting art from almost anything. She is a true model of dedication and passion for me
Best advice I’ve ever received: ‘Live in the moment’. Every day, I try to be fully present in the here and now
