Team spotlight – Jed Jones, Head of Operations

Next up in our team spotlight series is Jed Jones, our Head of Operations. Jed talks about how he started out and the different paths that can lead to the role of operations.

You can find last month’s team spotlight with Harrison Bay, one of our customs classification specialists, here.

Can you tell us more about your journey to becoming Head of Operations?

My path to becoming a Head of Operations has not been the traditional path taken by most. I originally started out as a car dealer (would you believe!). This taught me a lot about all aspects of running a business, albeit on a micro scale. I then transitioned into Mechanical Engineer progressing up to a Contracts Manager, this role taught me a huge amount about how to manage people, suppliers and clients along with contracts and budgets, all very valuable skills I rely on frequently in my role today.

I joined TariffTel as a Project and Account Manager back in 2019, working closely with several of our clients in implementing various projects. In 2023 I was promoted to Head of Operations, working closely with the directors and senior management team to implement the company strategy and lead the day-to-day operational aspects of the company.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

In my role no two days are the same. My workload is varied across the business and aligned with the company strategy and needs. Daily my tasks can range from critiquing the finances, managing marketing initiatives and reviewing contracts, through to ensuring the office is well stocked, clean and tidy.

The range of work is vast, and to some people this may seem daunting, but I find it exciting to work across all aspects of the business and lots of different people. We have a very experienced and knowledgeable team here at TariffTel and I’m lucky to be part of it.

What have been some of the most memorable moments?

One of the most memorable moments for me is seeing our new version of TariffTel coming to its final stages, aptly named TariffTel 2.0. What we have accomplished with this project across the business is amazing. Based on our initial strategy discussions, our skilled developers, analysts and customs team have taken the brief and gone above and beyond our expectations in developing the features and the added value TariffTel 2.0 will bring to our clients. Alongside this, our sales and marketing team have been working extremely hard in re-branding the business, creating a new website and delivering valuable information to not only our clients but the industry as a whole.

The great news is that we are not stopping there! The future roadmap for all our products is very bright indeed and I look forward to contributing to this.

For anyone looking to get into operations, what skills do people value and how can people find out more about the industry?

Operations is a broad and vast area that means many different things to many different businesses. As such I personally feel it’s a process of learning, being inquisitive and not being afraid to put your hand up and make a suggestion if you feel there is a better way of doing something. The skills needed for the role would be a keen eye for detail, looking at all aspects of a business and how they work together or compliment each other, removing ambiguity and ensuring the strategy of the business is well communicated to all along with the company values.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received with regards to work and what impact did it have?

To not be afraid to raise your hand, it’s really as simple as that. If you feel there is a better way to do something then say it, a refreshing view on a topic will likely be welcomed. Don’t be disheartened if your suggestions are not taken on board either. A good employer will always value the views of its staff.

What advice do you have for people working in the industry?

My advice would be to think outside the box and be inquisitive. In simple terms, it is having a forward-thinking view. Always looking ahead to what’s next? Where is the company going? What do we do well? Along with keeping a close eye on industry trends and gaining valued feedback from customers. This information will contribute to the company strategy and ensure future success.

This mindset allows you to create a companywide continuous improvement process incorporating all aspects of the business, products, processes, staff and brand.

What advice do you have for people looking to get started in the industry?

IT as an industry is vast, at TariffTel we specialise in business solutions and as part of that we have various teams of skilled individuals. From software development through to service delivery. I would firstly ascertain where you want to go in IT and review various job descriptions to see what skills are required. Following this I would conduct a skills audit, where do you match the common skills required and where do you need to fill gaps? This will then give you a clear roadmap of areas you need to focus on.

Never stop learning, things continually change and whilst good employers will invest in their staff, it’s also great to see when individuals invest in themselves to progress and widen their knowledge base. This will make you more competitive when applying to prospective roles or when your company is looking to promote from within.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work I renovate cars (old habits die hard!) and enjoy spending time with my fiancée. We are shortly going to become parents for the first time so have been busy with all aspects relating to that!