Employee Spotlight – Ceyda Catal

Our latest Employee Spotlight features Outsource Team Leader, Ceyda Catal.

Ceyda joined FOD Mobility Group’s vehicle rental team in October 2021 as a Vehicle Rental Executive and was promoted to Outsource Team Leader in April this year.

Her role involves sourcing vehicles for our customers and communicating with suppliers to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Ceyda manages the UK and Germany outsource team which has recently grown due to FOD’s expansion into Europe, with further plans to cover France and Spain.

Ceyda is outgoing, confident, and loves to help others. She’s passionate about leading her team in a way that brings out the best in them. In her spare time, she loves to travel and is currently saving up to buy her first house.

Describe your current role and how long you’ve worked at FOD.

I have been with FOD Mobility Group for one year. My current role includes managing the outsource team in the UK and most recently in Germany, which launched two months ago.

Tell us more about your current role and responsibilities.

My current role and responsibilities include sourcing vehicles for our customers via Enterprise Rent a Car and communicating with our suppliers and customers. I also lead the UK and Germany outsource team. I work on the Fleetondemand platform to ensure that booking requests are connected to the right supplier by taking into account each customer’s requirements. I also run daily reports to ensure our SLAs are achieved.

Which projects are you currently working on?

I am currently working on launching outsource in Spain and France so we can globally source vehicle hires for customers all over the world.

What made you want to pursue your current career path?

I have always cared about helping people and making an impact and the career path that I am currently on allows me to do this. I have always had an interest in this type of career from a young age and made the right decision to pursue a career in management.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

The most rewarding part for me is training new starters and helping them to become the best at their role.

What have been your proudest moments at work to date?

My proudest moments so far were being promoted to a team leader role and launching outsource in Germany.

What’s one professional skill you’re working on?

I am currently working on leadership skills as my role includes motivating people to be their best and effectively collaborating with other colleagues. For managers, leadership also involves knowing when and how to delegate tasks and adjusting your management style according to the personality and working style of each member of the team. A good manager will always lead by setting a good example of the work they’d like to see from their team.

What is the best professional advice you’ve ever received?

The best professional advice I have ever received is to always be confident, maintain a good work ethic and challenge yourself with tasks and situations that are outside of your comfort zone.

Describe a challenge you’ve faced this year and how you overcame it?

When the outsource operations were only based in the UK, I was a team of one which was sometimes challenging. As FOD has expanded into new territories, we’ve had a significant recruitment drive which means I am now working with a larger international team.

What do you hope to achieve over the next 12 months?

I hope to grow a successful team and launch outsource in more countries after Germany, Spain, and France.

How would your friends describe you?

Outgoing, confident, and always helpful.

Can you describe the top 3 items on your bucket list?

My first goal is to visit Dubai which is the place I’d most like to see and explore. The second is to purchase my dream car: a Mercedes AMG G63. Thirdly, I would like to buy my first house.

If you could meet anyone famous past or present, who would it be and why?

Cristiano Ronaldo because he is a great athlete.

What are your top three favourite songs of all time?

Single Ladies – Beyoncé

Rolling in the Deep – Adele

Poker Face – Lady Gaga

What did you want to be when you grew up and why?

I have always wanted to be a police officer. I am currently studying Criminology and Law at university which has always been a passion of mine since I was young.