In the quaint town of Sparta, Tennessee – a scenic 20-minute drive from Cookeville, home of the Tennessee Tech Awesome Eagles – sits our 150,000-square-foot main manufacturing and central distribution facility. With a population of 5,009 (in 2021), TACO team members come from Sparta and beyond to provide excellent products and service to our customers.
One team member, Kayla Sullivan, is the unsung hero of everything Buy TACO Direct (B2C). While we are known as primarily a manufacturer for and supplier to OEM boat builders, our online direct-to-consumer program is growing steadily. This program helps get much-needed TACO products for replacements or upgrades into the hands of everyday boaters around the world.
eCommerce Lead Kayla Sullivan at her desk in the TACO Metals Sparta, Tenn. facility.
From the moment a B2C order is placed to well after the product is delivered, Sullivan, our eCommerce Lead, is involved.
“From the customer ordering online, to importing their orders into our system, printing and distributing orders to our picker/packer for UPS or Fedex, verifying we are sending the correct product, invoicing their order, to processing payment and tracking on the back end of the website, I handle all customer service aspects with our dot com orders,” explained Sullivan of her role as eCommerce Lead. “I make sure to exceed customers’ expectations while shopping online with us.”
Beyond managing all things B2C, Sullivan is renown around the factory for her positive attitude and helping others when needed.
“My team always knows my door is open and I am here to help them succeed to the best of my ability,” she said. “I want everyone to win!”
For Sullivan, succeeding means more than getting the product out the door as quickly as possible. It also means ensuring order accuracy and maintaining a high customer service level of satisfaction. Often, after an order is shipped, B2C customers might have follow up questions about tracking, application, or technical inquiries. Because of this, she strives to respond to all inquiries or direct questions to the appropriate team member as quickly as possible.
Sullivan is often found throughout the Sparta, Tenn. facility reviewing orders, finalizing paperwork and assisting her colleagues with all things related to B2C.
Leading by example is another way Sullivan strives for success. Not only does she hold herself to a high standard of integrity, but she also leads her team to do the same.
“I want my team to accomplish the best outcome of our duties and to help TACO be successful day after day,” Sullivan said. “I want to be recognized as a supportive leader.”
Since joining Team TACO two years ago, Sullivan said the company culture is what continues to stand out to her and what makes TACO Metals a great place to work.
“Every employee, at all levels, is always there for each other,” she said. “It is like one big family working together. The thing that makes TACO such a great place to work is our customers and most of all the people with whom we work side by side.”
Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is also important to Sullivan and something she credits with helping her find professional success.
“I enjoy my work, and when the day is over, I give myself time to relax and enjoy family,” she said.
Whether in her personal life or professional role at TACO, Sullivan abides by the mantra that she is always headed in the right direction. Part of this mantra is believing that God has her right where she is supposed to be.
“This applies to me here at TACO and makes me want to be my best self – to always know I am here for a reason and a greater purpose,” she said. “I work diligently for the Lord.”
Up next for Sullivan is becoming a parent – something she has always wanted. Together with her husband, Travis, she is expecting a baby girl in February 2024. We at TACO couldn’t be happier for her as she takes on this new role. Sullivan is also a proud stepmother to two children and is excited to expand the family.
From all of us at TACO, thank you Kayla for your continued hard work and dedication! Whether helping our B2C customers or your fellow TACO team members, your passion does not go unnoticed.
This feature of Kayla is part of our ongoing Who’s Who Series. To read more about members of Team TACO, click on the supporting blog features below.
