Sprockets Expands Leadership Team to Rapidly Transform a Broken Hiring Process

The current hiring process is broken; our mission at Sprockets is to transform it into an equitable one for all. After our series A funding, we immediately began expanding our teams to make that vision a reality for even more businesses in the hourly workforce. We followed our own advice and used both internal and external recruitment methods: one individual was promoted internally, while another new hire was made through an employee referral. Both external hires received a high Sprockets fit score which made the decision a no-brainer. 

The Sprockets platform is the easy, effortless way to hire and retain high-quality individuals. Our hiring solution analyzes applicants’ answers to three simple survey questions to determine whether or not they will succeed and stay long-term like your current top performers. It’s proven to dramatically reduce costly employee turnover and eliminates the need for resumes and even interviews. 

Meet Our New Sprockstar Leadership Team

So, without further adieu, here are the new members of our leadership team: Christian Palombo, Eric Lou, Katie Tumbleston, and Bailey Griffin. 

Christian Palombo, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)

“With the right process, technology, enablement, and team, there will be no limit to our success at Sprockets.” 

1. Tell us a little about your past experience. How did you get here? 

I have been fortunate to work with amazing people at hyper-growth startups in similar industries as Sprockets. My previous experiences at companies like Upserve and EverQuote allowed me to establish successful approaches to scaling SaaS B2B startups. When I spoke with Sprockets’ Chief Marketing Officer, Chad Troutman — who happens to be my former colleague at Upserve — I knew this was an opportunity that I could not pass up.

2. What drew you to Sprockets? 

I am passionate about solving challenges about the future of work. I believe that emerging technologies, advanced analytics, and workflow automation will change the experiences for both employees and customers. Sprockets applies these advanced applications today to directly address the labor crisis and support the largest class of employees in the United States: hourly workers. 

3. How will your role help our company grow? 

With the right process, technology, enablement, and team, there will be no limit to our success at Sprockets. I believe it is my responsibility to ensure Sprockets has the right blend of people, processes, and technology to solve problems for our customers and scale our business. 

4. What has been your favorite part of the role so far? 

My favorite part has been solving problems for our customers. Our customer base has been deeply impacted by the labor crisis and current market conditions. Working with customers to address uncontrollable employee turnover, shuttered business operations, and financial burdens has been extremely rewarding to me personally.

5. What would you say to potential job seekers considering applying to Sprockets? 

DO IT! There are very few professional opportunities in life where you can make a significant impact, grow personally and professionally, and help advance an industry. 

1. Tell us a little about your past experience. How did you get here?  

I’ve spent over 20 years working in digital product strategy, design, and development at large companies as well as startups. I’ve helped three startups before, one of which was my own that I co-founded back in 2005. I’ve launched over 15 products in my career and have led product, design, and engineering teams.

2. What drew you to Sprockets?

The company mission and the potential of the product drew me to Sprockets. I find our mission a noble one — we are helping people maximize applicants’ potential by finding jobs that align with their skill sets and core values. At the same time, we’re helping companies hire better candidates and retain them for a longer period of time. We’re solving all of these key problems in an innovative way with a platform that leverages psychology and cutting-edge technology.

3. How will your role help our company grow? 

As Chief Product Officer, I’m primarily focused on setting a clear, compelling product vision and an effective strategy that will help us achieve that vision in the most effective way possible. Additionally, I’m here to create a great product culture that is driven by trust, autonomy, and delivers consistent product innovation for our customers and our business. Lastly, I’m tasked with building and scaling the organization across product management, design, and engineering.

4. What has been your favorite part of the role so far? 

My favorite part is discovering all the product opportunities at hand. There are so many avenues to take the platform on and so many problems to solve in the HR space, that I’m excited to strategize on how to best tackle them.

5. What would you say to potential job seekers considering applying to Sprockets?

The company has a great culture, filled with collaborative and passionate people who are all marching towards the same goal. Sprockets empowers you to bring your best self to work and trusts in you to make the right decisions. This type of environment breeds so much creativity and innovation that personally, it’s my ideal place to work. We are hiring across all functions within product management, design, and engineering. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat!

1. Tell us a little about your past experience. How did you get here?

I was born and raised here in Charleston, so after studying in Clemson, I couldn’t help but come back and replant my roots here.

2. What drew you to Sprockets?

You hear it all the time, but I was truly looking for a company that had a culture that fit who I was and gave me the potential to get where I wanted to be. Lo and behold, I found the perfect place for that! I clicked with everyone in the company, which made the transition into my position smooth.

3. How will your role help our company grow?

I have had the opportunity to move throughout different departments here at Sprockets, so I have seen all sides of the business. Now that my feet are set in Customer Success, I truly can see where our customers’ pains lie and what they are looking for. Having the background knowledge of our customer’s pain points is invaluable, and I strive to utilize that knowledge to improve the CS team, the platform, and ultimately revamp our customers’ way of hiring.

4. What has been your favorite part of the role so far?

During my time here at Sprockets, the company and the product have changed immensely, but the core of Sprockets is still the same. I joined the team when there were only a handful of people in the room, naturally bonding us together to have strong relationships. Now, with over 50 people in the (virtual) room, you still get that tight-knit feeling.

5. What would you say to potential job seekers considering applying to Sprockets?

Take it from us, we know whether or not you are a good fit! Seriously, we also use the power of Sprockets to help us hire. So not only do we know if you would be a good fit, we also know which department will be the best fit for you. Come join us! 

Katie Tumbleston, Talent Acquisition Manager 

“Much of my studies, passion, and career history is directly aligned to creating a just and equitable world.”

1. Tell us a little about your past experience. How did you get here?  

I have a varied background with titles ranging from Development Associate to Founder and CEO; however, I fell into recruiting and talent acquisition a little over five years ago. I refined and honed my skills in recruiting and hiring after launching an on-demand babysitting software business. Later, I expanded into medical recruiting in Australia and tech recruiting back in the States.

2. What drew you to Sprockets?

The potential for Sprockets to change the landscape of hiring was the initial draw. Much of my studies, passion, and career history is directly aligned to creating a just and equitable world for all walks of life. A close second was the opportunity to build a talent acquisition department from the ground up. This is an opportunity to have a large impact on a company, its culture, and ultimate success — I couldn’t pass that up!

3. How will your role help our company grow? 

We are doubling our headcount this year alone. Each and every role for which we are hiring is crucial to the immediate and long-term success of the company. 

4. What has been your favorite part of the role so far? 

Working with the hiring managers and learning more and more about their individual personalities has been my favorite part of my role. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share our story and vision with prospective candidates and see their faces light up. It shows me that we have something really special to offer customers, job seekers, and our staff. 

5. What would you say to potential job seekers considering applying to Sprockets?

I would suggest taking some time to research our product, target market, and current employees via LinkedIn. Consider whether or not working within a startup environment is right for you. 

6. Do you have anything else you’d like to share? 

I’m thrilled to be on this journey with the Sprockets team and would be happy to talk to anyone interested in joining us!

Become Our Next Sprockstar

We’re hiring! Join us on our mission to create an equitable hiring process for all. Our organization is completely remote, but our team is stronger than ever. Why? We’re so confident in our solution that we even use it to hire our own employees. Plus, we organize quarterly company events at our home base in Charleston, South Carolina.