In just one year, Jhomar Sultan has had an impressive career growth to a Procurement Team Lead in the Netherlands. How was that possible and what has he learned along the way? Now, Jhomar shares how the transition from operational work to leading a team can feel like an identity crisis, as well as why having seniority knowledge and still actively participating in operational roles is beneficial for being a better leader. Plus, discover what he believes is the most important superpower of any good team lead!
Jhomar Sultan’s career has always been guided by four key components: an inspiring mission, a healthy work culture, a change to make an impact, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
“Foodello–Fiksuruoka ticked all the boxes when they contacted me and suggested that I join the growing team in the Netherlands”, Jhomar says.
Jhomar joined Foodello–Fiksuruoka in January 2022 as a Procurement Specialist, right when we had expanded into the new market of the Netherlands. The saying that one year in a fast-growing start-up equals three years in a bigger company is certainly true for Jhomar.
As a Procurement Specialist, Jhomar quickly gained a lot of knowledge and seniority, allowing him to take on a mentorship role within his team. Sharing knowledge, brainstorming ideas, and fostering growth are all second nature to Jhomar. So when the opportunity to lead a team was presented, it felt like the next natural step in his career path.
“I had always thought that I wanted to lead a team at some point in my career. And as things happen in fast-growing companies, this opportunity came as a happy surprise”, he says.
Initially, Jhomar stepped up to cover for his colleague, Olli Syrjälä, who went on parental leave. In April 2023, Jhomar officially took on the responsibility of Team Lead. Upon Olli's return in the fall, they mutually decided that Jhomar should continue leading the team, as everything had gone smoothly and the whole team was thriving.
So, what has Jhomar learned during his first months as a Team Lead? Here are his three observations:
Stepping into a leadership role, as Jhomar discovered, can sometimes feel like stepping into a different world. Despite his new role felt like a natural progression, it was not without its challenges. The shift from the operational tasks of a Procurement Specialist to leading a team was a significant one.
“My previous role was more tangible and operational, with clear-cut metrics and I could see a direct impact on the company's business”, he explains.
As a Team Lead, Jhomar found himself questioning the value he was bringing to the team as his new role was more about people.
“My main metric as a team lead changed to being the happiness and growth of my team members.”
“My main metric as a team lead changed to being the happiness and growth of my team members”, he says. The direct impact he had on the company's business changed into a more indirect influence, driven by the success of his team.
This change initially triggered what Jhomar describes as an 'identity crisis.' He had to adapt his mindset from an individual contributor to a leader who supports, guides and challenges his team. Fortunately, he received guidance from Foodello–Fiksuruoka's CPO, which helped him navigate this transition.
“After the first months, I adapted to my new role, developed a fresh mindset, and found inspiration in leading my team. I’m excited to see where we will be with our team a year from now”, he says.
💚 Jhomar’s tip to an aspiring team lead: Take time to adjust to your new role. It is a big change in mindset, so don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Despite Jhomar’s primary role being to steer the team strategically and propel business growth, he remains actively involved in operational tasks.
“On a daily basis I am steering the team towards our longer-term targets but also building and managing the assortment in the Foodello store”, he says and continues: “This is particularly crucial in a scaling company as we are, especially in a growing new market where all hands are needed that are available.”
Staying involved in the day-to-day tasks keeps Jhomar's knowledge sharp and up-to-date in two ways.
Firstly, it allows him to understand the challenges his team members face in the field and provide better guidance. “By understanding their operational difficulties, I can eliminate obstacles that may become a bottleneck in their processes to make the team more efficient”, he says.
Secondly, having a finger on the pulse of the market helps him with the necessary knowledge to make strategic decisions and develop the team. “As Foodello continues to grow, there will be many 'firsts,' and as a team lead, I need to understand both the strategic and operational sides of the business to help us grow”, Jhomar points out.
💚 Jhomar’s tip to an aspiring team lead: Stay aware of the daily operational tasks that your team members work on. It helps you to help them to perform better!
Jhomar's third observation flips the script on what some might perceive as a weakness.
“I firmly believe that asking questions, staying curious, and seeking more knowledge helps me to make better decisions for my team”, he says and adds that asking questions is also important in building trust towards the team. “No one could do this alone, we need to help each other out and communicate a lot”, he says.
How would Jhomar like to be described as a team lead?
“I would like to be the one that motivates, inspires, and fosters a culture where curiosity and continuous learning are encouraged”, he thinks.
If Jhomar would need to give one piece of advice for aspiring team leads, it would be this: “A good leader does not necessarily need to be an expert in every field. Instead, a good leader should be able to steer their team, provide guidance, and empower the team, regardless of the specific domain”, he sums up.
💚 Jhomar’s tip to an aspiring team lead: Become a great listener and stay curious.
👉Curious to know more about Jhomar’s life? Go read the blog about how he has supported Aaron to leverage his career as a Merchandiser!