Pieter was born and grew up in the Netherlands. He has a MSc in Agricultural Engineering at Wageningen University, specializing in soil management.

He started working for McCain Foods on farm mechanisation and soil management related projects in different countries: Poland, USA, South Africa, Argentina, India and China (2001-2017).From 2008 to 2010, He started up a 200ha commercial farm in the Gambia growing, storing and packing potatoes, onions, rice, and maize for the local market. Then, in the year of 2011, He started his management at commercial farm in Belarus, growing potatoes, onions, cabbage and carrots.

From 2012 to 2017, He became the Manager for McCains own potato farming operations in South Africa. Since 2018 till now; Potato Farming Technology Specialist for McCain Foods. Since 2019 intensively involved in McCains Farms of the Future projects in Canada and South Africa.