Jon Steinmetz – E-Commerce Solutions Architect
Jon’s journey into Information Technology (IT) was driven by a deep desire to make an organizational impact. As he embarked on his professional career, the multifaceted nature of IT, influencing diverse aspects such as operations, marketing, and sales, presented itself as the ideal avenue for Jon to realize his goal of leaving an imprint.
What led you to a career in Information Technology (IT)?
Jon says that when he finished his college career, he knew he wanted to begin his professional career doing something meaningful. “I wanted to find a career where I could impact an organization. IT hits so many different facets of an organization, whether it’s operations, marketing, or sales, and it felt like an opportunity for me to get in and make that impact.”
What led you to Mazzella Companies?
Jon said that Mazzella Companies’ excellent reputation piqued his interest. “I was looking for a company with great potential and growth. They were growing through acquisition as well as organically. But it was the reputation of who they were and how they treated their team members. Focusing on being humble, hungry, and smart attracted me.”
What do you believe the role of IT at Mazzella Companies is?
Jon said that the role of IT at Mazzella Companies is to develop and support strategic initiatives for all of the different subsidiaries and business units to be successful. “When we can develop a solution that satisfies our customers, their success drives me. It’s all about the efficiency and effectiveness of doing business together.”
Jon said that part of that success comes from a lot of collaboration. “There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not on a phone call doing a follow-up email status on a project. I could work with New Tech Machinery in the morning, Sheffield Metals International in the afternoon, and Mazzella Lifting somewhere in between.”
Jon said this kind of collaboration turns problems into mere obstacles. “An obstacle can be challenging in many different ways. But how do we get in front of it if it’s a resource? Over-communication.”
How has your role changed since you started?
Jon said that while he doesn’t feel his role has changed much since he started almost three years ago – he feels he has. “Throughout my role here, I’ve been exposed to so much. All of the different Mazzella subsidiaries and learning about our customers. Learning more about our business has expanded on who I am.”
Related: Why Would You Want to Come Back to Mazzella Companies?
What is a challenge the IT team is facing today?
Jon says he wouldn’t specify one particular project as a challenge. “The challenge is to meet internal and external customers’ needs, wants, and desires. The overall challenge is embedding how we do business at Mazzella Companies and touching our external customers through our website or Amazon marketplace.”
He said that specifically when it comes to E-Commerce, he’s looking externally. “Often, I’m working with the Sales team or a specific customer to develop technical solutions to work more effectively and efficiently with our customers.”
What advice would you give someone looking to start a career in IT?
“I think the best advice I could have is to be open-minded. Often, technology is seen as the driver for success. I believe it’s more about understanding how to use that technology for business. If you can understand the business needs and how the business operates, you’ll find success.”
Turning Obstacles into Opportunities
Professionals like Jon represent the driving force behind innovation and efficiency. His dedication to Mazzella Companies, fueled by the company’s reputation and its emphasis on values like humility, drive, and emotional intelligence, underscores the potential for growth in the organization. He and his team transform obstacles into opportunities by embodying the collaborative ethos that characterizes Mazzella Companies’ corporate culture.
