We are thrilled to have a new addition to the Decowraps family! Join us in welcoming Julio Iraola to the team as our new Director of US Operations Procurement & Fulfillment. Read our interview with Julio below to learn more:

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself and where you’re from.

I was born in Lima, Peru and came to Miami when I was 6 years old. I have spent the last 29 years as a proud Miami native, where I reside with my wife and two children.

What company and industry were you working in before joining Decowraps and how long were you working there for?

I have spent the past 17 years working in the logistics and supply chain industry. Even though my background and degrees are in finance, my love for supply chain kept me tethered to the industry. Over the course of my career, I have held every role you can hold in the industry; from my humble beginnings as a youngster in warehouses, to my later years, working as Director of Operations, leading international logistics teams and designing supply chain projects for major North American companies such as Tesla, GE Healthcare, Medtronic, General Mills, etc.

What are some key principles you have learned in the workforce and apply in your career now?

I believe that communicating and engaging with your team is essential to leadership. Interpersonal and communication skills are crucial to any leader. Without being able to communicate your vision to others, leadership will be challenging. As a leader, you should have the best possible relationship with each member of your team.

I am a strong believer in “Lead by example.” A good leader models excellent behavior and must be able to motivate and encourage people. The most successful companies and organizations have leaders who help their staff understand the value in their vision and show them how everyone can work together to achieve that goal in their role.

What attracted you to join a floral-focused company, and Decowraps specifically?

For all the challenges that have come from the pandemic, it has also helped drive positive change in the floral industry, proving that adaptable businesses can thrive even in uncertain times. One of those adaptable businesses which is thriving and caught my attention, was Decowraps.

Fundamentally, Decowraps shares the same values dearest to me; specifically putting the customer first. When businesses work closely with customers, they co-create the value of products and services. This enhances the quality as customers contribute to the design and other underlying processes required to create the finished product. Being a part of the process makes for greater customer satisfaction. It saves resources, especially time and duplication of work and improves operational efficiency.

Describe your new role and what you hope to accomplish as Decowraps.

My previous experience has been in helping organizations run as effectively as they can, navigating change and growth, and building and supporting high functioning teams. My work has specifically focused on strategic and sustainability planning, financial forecasting, organizational governance, and staff management.

My goal as the new Director of Operations – US, is to ensure that the working experience at Decowraps––both for external partners and members and internal staff––is as frictionless as possible so we can have the greatest impact.

What do you find most challenging about Director of Operations US Procurement & Fulfillment?

The most challenging obstacle is replacing someone who was at the inception of the company and has been instrumental in taking the company to where they are today. I am only the second person to step into this role. Leivy Gonzalez was one of the major pillars since the company’s establishment nineteen years ago. I was fortunate to overlap with her for a couple of weeks and am incredibly grateful and humbled by the trust of the team at Decowraps in allowing me to help guide us into new and exciting growth.

Do you have any niche interests or pastimes outside of work?

I studied classical and jazz music during my youth, primarily focusing on the trumpet. However, during my twenties, I developed an affinity for music production. To this day, if I’m not spending time with my kids, you can find me in the studio making music. I draw parallels between my music production and how I tackle my current role frequently.

It is inevitable that problems will arise, and a music producer will need to solve them. A music producer who is a good problem solver is innovative and comes up with creative ideas. They can adapt to different situations and take the initiative to solve problems. A music producer will also need to count on their team to execute the plan.

 

We are glad to have you, Julio!