Earlier this month, ICTA was thrilled to launch the inaugural 'ICTA Spotlight Interview'. Each quarter, we aim to celebrate the outstanding achievements of an employee from one of our member organizations. We are delighted to kick off this series with Federico Gunter from Grupo Pochteca, our first interviewee. Thank you, Federico, for your hard work, dedication, and for sharing your inspiring story with us.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, hobbies, family, education, background).
I am from Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. One of my favorite hobbies is golf, paddle tennis, and spending time with my friends and family. My family consists of five members, and I currently have a girlfriend. My family is spread between Celaya, Querétaro, and Vancouver. Besides my passion for sports, I am very interested in financial topics, especially the stock market. I hold a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Tecnológico de Monterrey and an MBA from IPADE. I joined Pochteca three years ago as a Project Manager, later given the opportunity to assume the role of Development Manager at the Reynosa branch, and I am currently the Manager of the Pachuca branch.
Q: How did you end up working in the chemical industry?
I have always been motivated by the numerical and mathematical field, which led me to study engineering. I believe that a chemical engineer has the capacity to cover many areas compared to other engineering fields, and in daily life, there is always something related to chemistry, as chemistry is present in all processes. With this conviction, I decided to study Chemical Engineering at the Tecnológico de Monterrey and, years later, I pursued an MBA at IPADE. My professional career began in the operational area and, before joining Pochteca, I worked in other companies that covered the commercial and logistics areas, which allowed me to acquire an integral vision of processes and their optimization within Pochteca. In the end, in almost all industries, we can apply some chemistry or are related to chemistry, which is something I really enjoy.
Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
One of my achievements was reaching the profit budget in 2023 during my tenure as interim Manager of the Pochteca Reynosa branch. This involved going beyond our daily tasks and meeting customer expectations, earning their trust to help them achieve their objectives as well. Additionally, I led the branch team in obtaining the SARI certification, focused on integral responsibility, which served as a foundation for achieving the ACD (Alliance for Chemical Distribution) verification. We achieved a score of 97.96%, surpassing the average in the chemical sector in Mexico.
Q: What inspires and motivates you to do your job every day?
What inspires and motivates me every day in my job is the opportunity to generate a positive impact, both in the company's results and in the development of my team for the benefit of our customers. Knowing that I can contribute to the growth and success of projects drives me to give my best and seek the best from my team. Additionally, the possibility of facing new challenges and constantly learning keeps me motivated to continue surpassing myself and achieving higher goals.
Q: How do you contribute to a positive work environment?
I contribute to a positive work environment by promoting open communication and mutual respect among team members. I strive to maintain an optimistic and collaborative attitude, offering support when necessary and recognizing others' achievements. Furthermore, I strive to create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued, fostering trust and collaborative work, adhering to corporate values and norms, while exploring and allowing new ways of working to foster creativity and empower the team to do things differently.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your company and how you feel about working at Pochteca?
I feel very grateful and proud to be part of a company that constantly seeks our growth and well-being, both professionally and personally. Knowing that I am in a place where continuous improvement is fostered and we are given the tools to overcome challenges is truly motivating. Additionally, the support and backing we receive from all areas and levels of the company to achieve our goals demonstrate their commitment to each of their collaborators. I am proud to belong to this organization, which values not only success but also the development of those who make it up.
Q: Can you describe an occasion when you have gone above and beyond your regular duties?I have taken advantage of every job opportunity that has come my way, especially when facing challenges during my career at Pochteca. I can describe an occasion when a customer urgently needed material outside of regular working hours due to poor inventory planning, which would have caused a plant shutdown. At that moment, I had to make a decision, seeking a solution and support for the customer. I spoke with my operations team, who, with a high commitment to Pochteca and the customer, went the extra mile. We dispatched the material that same night. The customer was grateful to Pochteca for the unconditional support, and the result was that we gained even more of their trust. After completing the task, I informed my immediate supervisor, who congratulated me on the decision I made and for going beyond to solve a problem for our customer.
Federico from his managers' perspective:
Q: What type of person is Federico and how do his colleagues view him?
Federico is a driven and results-oriented professional, distinguished by his exceptional leadership qualities. Known for his positive attitude and solution-oriented approach, he consistently seeks the ‘yes’ in challenging situations. His colleagues describe him as persuasive, empathetic, and capable of inspiring confidence and motivation in others. Federico’s blend of optimism, determination, and people-focused approach makes him an outstanding team player and natural leader.
Federico has consistently demonstrated adaptability and commitment to Pochteca, embracing changes in location and role to meet organizational needs. His flexibility and dedication reflect his loyalty and readiness to tackle challenges, contributing to the company’s success in various capacities. This mindset showcases his resilience and ability to thrive in diverse environments while maintaining focus on delivering results.