The Oomiak Crew Spotlight series is back and in this edition, we’re looking within our Capital Projects team!
Our team is filled to the brim with enthusiastic, experienced, and skilled people – we’re excited to share their stories.
My Role in Oomiak
Initially joining Oomiak as our Manager of Finance, Procurement & Risk, Jess Martin’s influence and effect are felt across the business. Transitioning into the Capital Projects team as the Manager Capital Projects, this has been magnified.
“Having moved into the role of Manager Capital Projects, my current focus is to lead our excellent team, and to mitigate and manage risks to Oomiak’s business and people.
Working in Capital Projects and the construction industry poses many risks, so the synergy between my previous and current role is definitely there and helped with my transition.
I’m really drawn to this role because of its fast-paced nature, the opportunity to lead people and influence outcomes, and the opportunity to learn new things and meet new people,” says Jess.
With a unique career background and experience, the value Jess brings to the table is profound.
“This role really suits my capabilities and interests despite not having the typical background one would expect – but for me this is just another zag in a zig-zaggy career, which has seen me work and lead teams in a lot of different industries and environments.
So, while my latest transition into the refrigeration sector may seem a bit left field, for me, it’s another development opportunity. I’m generally quite comfortable navigating new environments, people, and opportunities so, this was a chance to develop further and thrive,” says Jess.
With a broad reach across Oomiak’s Capital Projects, Jess brings this positive influence into each project we execute.
“I’ve had touch points with just about all of Oomiak’s Capital Projects, initially, I oversaw these with a high-level view skewed towards risk and financial performance.
However, now within my current role the focus has shifted to a more in-depth operational view – and helping our team deliver these projects, on time, on budget, and to a high quality” says Jess.
Tackling large, complex, and diverse sites, Jess’s current Capital Projects portfolio is notable. With a solution-based and adaptable approach, Jess’s day-to-day responsibilities are about moving her team and Oomiak forward.
“For me, each day is different and brings new challenges. But two constants are: (1) that I’m regularly problem solving, and (2) I’m working with and supporting my team.
I also like spending time on improving our strategies and working towards Oomiak’s continuous improvement initiatives. Ultimately, this is where I think I can add the most value in driving change and innovation in the way we work” says Jess.
Best Thing About Working at Oomiak
I feel like I’m working in a million different industries. It’s not just refrigeration, its construction, plus all the other industries that our clients work in – it gets pretty diverse!
This is something that really resonates because it allows me to learn so much. On the flip side, this is also a great challenge. It’s new and different, so the demand to learn so much so quickly is very apparent – but it’s a welcomed challenge,” says Jess.
The success Jess obtains isn’t exclusive, she is passionate about ensuring the whole team thrives and this opportunity is given equally.
“For an innovating and exciting company experiencing growth, like Oomiak, having robust structures and processes are important. Having this allows more room for innovation and creativity to ultimately to guide and develop better outcomes for our customers – which at the end of the day is what we’re here to do,” says Jess.
Leadership
Striving for great outcomes for her team and for Oomiak’s clients, Jess knows the importance of establishing and maintaining strong relationships amid this process.
“One of the things I love about this job is that you work with a variety of great and skilled people.
Building and maintaining these relationships is everything. It’s about building trust – this is fundamental in achieving collaborative outcomes,” says Jess.
“I don’t come from a technical refrigeration background, so for me in moving into this role as Manager Capital Projects, building partnerships with my team is so fundamental to building trust and showing that I can add value, and support the team with their challenges, tasks, development and anything else,” says Jess.
With a lens of opportunity, Jess looks at industry happenings as ways to pivot and overcome obstacles, and a way to promote areas that she is passionate about, like diversity.
“I try to view industry changes as an opportunity. An example of this is what the labour market doing, and what’s the opportunity here to benefit and develop my team’s success,” says Jess.
I’m very passionate about quality opportunities and diversity, particularly for women in this industry.
I think Oomiak does a great job of this, we’re led by a brilliant female CEO and have great female employees in varying roles.
I’m excited to be part of this and being a leader that makes this a place where females, or anyone from a diverse background, wants to work.
This is a tough industry for females and I’m excited to be in a business where we create opportunities for diversity to thrive and succeed.” says Jess.
With such a broad reach and influence over Oomiak’s operations, Jess personifies core values that help her lead her team to thrive and exceed, some of these include:
- Conviction, but while also being adaptable
- Vulnerability – “the foundation of strong leadership”
- Boundaries of what others should expect of Jess and what she can expect of others
- …lots of to-do lists!
The influence Jess has had across her time with Oomiak already is incredible – we’re all excited to see this continue!
