Sofico, the international software supplier for automotive financing, leasing, fleet and mobility management, is looking to hire 130 new staff worldwide as it continues to expand its operations following record results.
The Ghent, Belgium based business, which also has offices in the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, has announced growth of 15% for the twelfth year in a row. This expansion in revenue – and in offices – has been reflected by an increase in recruitment which, since the beginning of the pandemic, has seen more than 140 new staff come on board, with barely any leavers.
The software company is now in the midst of a new recruitment wave, as it sets out to meet its ambitious growth targets. “Our company wants to attract a further 130 highly trained staff, which is essential in order to continue to achieve our ambitious five-year expansion plans, based on ongoing investments in people and innovation,” said CEO Gémar Hompes.
This follows a record sales year in 2021, with revenues of €55 million, an increase of more than 13% over the previous 12 months. If this trend continues, the forecasts of €65 million and 19% growth this year look likely to be met.
Sofico is active in 27 countries worldwide. Last year, it completed the roll-out of its Miles contract management system in several new countries, including France, South Africa, and Germany. An approach based on local offices for the most important markets, instead of centralization, has underpinned this worldwide success. “That is why in the past four years, we have opened new local offices,” said Hompes. “With an accelerated transition to electrification and shared fleets, product development is shifting up several speeds: new markets, innovative integration and, above all, a mobility shift on an unprecedented scale.”
Digitization makes for enormous scarcity
Currently, Sofico is looking to hire 130 new project managers, business consultants, software engineers, technical consultants, analysts, and support staff in various locations, including Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Australia, Mexico, Japan, and Spain.
Many jobseekers may not be familiar with Sofico, its solutions and the niche position it occupies in the global automotive software sector in which the company is an international leader. “Due to increased digitization globally, it’s no secret that jobs are not easy to fill anywhere at the moment,” says HR manager Corinne Martens. “And yet, partly thanks to the launch of pro-active searches, the exciting and challenging story that we are able to tell, our visibility with the Sofico Ghent Marathon and many other activities, we have been able to welcome a good number of enthusiastic new colleagues.
“Via our extensive job portal (https://careers.sofico.global/en/jobs), Sofico gives potential candidates insight into working at Sofico. The website gives job seekers a concise presentation, in laymen’s terms, of the company’s activities and products, and offers an overview of the positions that are currently available.
“At many companies, culture is just a superficial veneer. But Sofico walks the talk and always emphasizes consultation, self-development, teamwork, and highly competitive remuneration packages,” she said. “A company culture that values input, feedback, and ideas, automatically fosters creativity and commitment. Giving your colleagues autonomy means saying: I trust you and your opinion matters,” added Martens.
Impressive growth
Since the beginning of 2020, the company has hired 140 new staff across all establishments worldwide. “With 60 new colleagues this year alone in Germany, the UK and Belgium, the number of staff in the entire company has risen to a record of 440,” said Martens.
Corinne Martens stressed: “Despite the rapid growth, a healthy work-life balance remains crucial. And equally important: Sofico is fully committed to Corporate Social Responsibility: ergonomics, equal pay, electrification of the fleet, the organization of public sports events. We also set great store by our Learning Organization: unlocking knowledge both inside and outside the company.”
