Dimitrios Doukas grew up just outside the center of Athens, in a neighborhood where a small supermarket served as a daily stop for locals. The branch wasn’t doing well, leaving the place dark, with empty shelves, and none of its former liveliness. That changed when Alfa Beta took over. “Suddenly, the lights were on, the shelves were stocked, and the energy was back. It didn’t just transform the store – it brought the whole neighborhood back to life. It was incredible to see how much difference one supermarket could make. That positive energy and sense of impact created by Alfa Beta have stayed with me ever since.”
After completing his degree in Economics, Dimitrios held a number of other roles in various retail warehouse environments. But he never truly felt happy. “Some companies lacked structure, others had structure but were missing the right tools or strong teams. I often worked long hours in jobs I didn’t really enjoy. Still, I see all those experiences as very valuable. They taught me how organizations function, what works, what doesn’t, and just how complex it can be to make everything run smoothly.”
When Dimitrios applied to Alfa Beta in 2016, Greece was in the middle of a deep economic crisis. “It was a tough time for the country, but a strong period for Alfa Beta. The company was growing rapidly, gaining market share. Those were the years when well-established businesses really stood out – and Alfa Beta was definitely one of them. That only increased my desire to work there. So when a Warehouse Coordinator position opened up that matched my background, I applied immediately.”
Something changed when he joined Alfa Beta. “For the first time, work felt fulfilling and full of promise. Being part of a well-structured team gave me peace of mind – I finally knew what to expect the next day. It may sound simple, but at that moment, it made all the difference. My first role was as a Warehouse Shift Coordinator in Mandra, Alfa Beta’s largest warehouse in Greece. That warehouse made history, redefining what logistics could be. The scale, professionalism, and operational maturity were mindblowing, unlike anything this country had seen before. I learned an incredible amount there. And when the Home Shop Centre (HSC) was established in Athens, it felt like a whole new world opened up – again! We were the first in the Greek retail market to launch a fulfilment centre dedicated to e-commerce. We set the standard, and competitors followed. I love working for a company that leads the way.”
Choreographing 1,800 orders a day
His promotion to Fulfillment Supervisor came over a year ago. “One thing I love about this job and the organization is the focus on continuous improvement. We’re always exploring how to be faster, more efficient, more productive. That drive is consistently guided by the most important question: what does the customer need? An e-shop customer is different from someone walking into a store. They don’t see the product in front of them, so they rely entirely on our quality, our speed, our accuracy. We simply need to get it right every time. On a peak day, around 1,800 orders leave the HSC. It’s my responsibility to make sure every part of that process runs smoothly. From shift planning and the pickers who collect the orders, to the receivers, quality assurance team, consolidators and cleaners – every one of the 250 team members plays a vital role in the fulfillment process. Every action we take has an impact on the next. I often compare it to choreography – everything has to be moving in a perfect circle to deliver the best results and keep our customers satisfied.”
“We collaborate closely with the IT Center of Excellence and the logistics and transportation departments, and share best practices across the Ahold Delhaize group. I also learn a lot from my team and my two direct colleagues: the Delivery Supervisor and the Flow Supervisor. During my first months in this role, working alongside them and other experienced colleagues at the HSC was an enormous support. It’s all part of a culture of knowledge sharing that this organization and our maanger strongly encourages.
There’s no micromanagement here; instead, we’re given the freedom to grow. That’s the kind of manager I aspire to be: someone who trusts my team and encourages them to learn and thrive. This ongoing opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally, really reflects the culture at Alfa Beta. Add to that the strong sense of teamwork, the shared passion, and the fact that we can have fun together.”
From work calls to mountain trails
For someone who loves their job as much as Dimitrios does, switching off can sometimes be a challenge. His work phone is never far away. Laughing, he says, “It’s almost like an extension of my body. I rarely wake up if my personal phone rings at night. But if my work phone goes off, I’m instantly sitting upright in bed. Don’t worry though – there are definitely moments when I fully disconnect from work, especially when I’m in the mountains or out at sea. My love for nature began in my grandparents’ village, where I spent almost every holiday as a child. It’s a small mountain village with views of the sea. For me, it was ‘the land of freedom,’ where I would spend my days biking around with my cousins and friends, surrounded by nature. The sea and the mountains remain my ultimate happy places, where I can always find peace.”
For a lover of both sea and mountains, Athens is the perfect base. “From here, I can head straight into the mountains or out onto the sea. My favorite place to hike is Mount Olympus, the tallest peak in Greece, famously known as the mountain of the gods. Beyond its stunning beauty, the trail takes you through ancient history. Walking where people have passed for centuries gives the experience a deeper meaning. The sea offers its own kind of magic. Out on the water, the noise of everyday life fades away, replaced by the sound of the wind powering the sails – it’s truly something else. Just a few hours hiking or sailing is enough to clear my mind, recharge, or find clarity. Nature is a constant source of inspiration for me. Another major source of inspiration was my father, who sadly passed away in 2017. I learned so much from him. Our conversations prepared me for just about anything life could throw at me and made me stronger. My dad taught me how to live.”
Name: Dimitrios Doukas (1987)
Started working at AB Vassilopoulos: March 2016
Studied: BA International and European Economics, Athens University of Economics and Business (2014)
Living: On my own in Nea Filadelfeia, a suburb of Athens
Hobbies: Hiking and sailing. I used to dance traditional Greek dances – it was something I shared with my father. Technically, I can still pull off Greek dances like a pro
Wake me up in the middle of the night for: A rock concert, or any music concert, really. Music is one of my greatest passions in life
Favorite holiday destination: Kalidona, the village where my grandparents lived. A tiny place with olive trees and postcard-worthy Greek scenery, just like in the movies
Life-changing event: Losing my father in 2017 – and graduating, when I had to start making real life choices
Biggest source of inspiration: Being in nature, listening to music – High Hopes by Pink Floyd is my ultimate anthem – and working with my team
Best advice I’ve ever received: From my father: “Learn to stand on your own two feet. Once you truly understand that, you will always choose to stand strong with others”
