Human Resources at SADE Containers – meet our new HR Manager Àlex Pastor!
We have asked Àlex to give a short introduction to himself and his background and to elaborate on his visions for the new HR department at SADE Containers.
I was born in Barcelona, and I consider myself a very approachable person, someone who values close relationships, enjoys working with people, and believes work should also be a place where you can feel comfortable and engaged. From an early age, I was taught the importance of respect, generosity, and not taking anything for granted. These values have shaped the way I see both life and work. I strongly believe that questioning assumptions and focusing on simple things is often what brings the greatest sense of fulfilment.
My professional journey has always been closely linked to people and social impact. I began my career in international law and human rights, but over time my path led me into HR, where I saw the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s everyday working lives. Throughout my career, I have worked in highly disruptive and innovative startups as well as in large multinational companies. This combination has shaped my perspective on HR, allowing me to balance agility, creativity, and speed with structure, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
What I enjoy most about HR is its ability to shape meaningful work environments. Much of our work is not always visible or easy to quantify, but its impact is real. When people are genuinely placed at the centre of decisions, trust grows, engagement increases, and sustainable results follow. Generosity, empathy, and respect guide my work every day. As a manager, I am flexible and results-driven: performance is measured by outcomes, not by hours spent at a desk. Developing people, helping them grow, and continuously learning how to lead better are core parts of my role.
Joining SADE Containers at this stage of its growth was a particularly exciting opportunity. It is an innovative and disruptive project within a sector that has seen limited transformation in recent years. SADE combines the energy of a young, ambitious team with the experience of professionals who deeply understand the maritime container trading business. From an HR perspective, this is a unique moment as there is a solid foundation in place and, at the same time, an enormous potential to build and evolve. I enjoy working close to the business, understanding the reality on the ground, and creating solutions that truly add value.
For me, a strong HR department is built on transparency and communication. In a fast-growing company with diverse teams, HR must communicate clearly, listen actively, and act with consistency. Our role is not administrative; it is strategic. HR must support business growth by attracting talent, but also by ensuring that existing teams have clear career paths, fair and competitive compensation, and an environment where they can thrive.
In the short term, my priority is to deeply understand the business and carry out a clear diagnosis of where we are and where we want to go. Within six months, we aim to have solid communication, engagement, and performance frameworks in place. Looking 12 months ahead, I see a well-established HR function capable of improving processes, defining key policies, and starting to capture the results of this work. As SADE grows, HR will naturally evolve too, expanding the team to maintain high-quality standards and support the business effectively.
To me, a great employee experience means having the tools and clarity to do your job well, feeling trusted and autonomous, and being evaluated on results rather than time spent in front of a screen. We want to build a culture of flexibility, ownership, and continuous growth. New employees can expect an HR team that listens, supports development, and works closely with them throughout their journey at SADE.
What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to build something from scratch in a sector that is new to me. I see SADE as a blank canvas full of possibilities, where we will learn, evolve, and challenge ourselves every day. My long-term vision for HR at SADE is to create a people function that enables performance, engagement, and sustainable growth, fully aligned with the company’s strategy.