From Learning Every Day to Leading Others

When John Ernie De Leon joined Ingram Micro more than 11 years ago, he was looking for more than just a job. He wanted a place where he could continue learning, take on new challenges, and build a meaningful career. 

What he found was an environment that combined continuous development, supportive leadership, and a culture built on trust. "From day one, I experienced a  ulture where 'fun while learning' isn't just a catchphrase. It's how we operate every day." 

Today, based in Manila, Philippines, John serves as a Partner Experience Lead for US Returns and Claims, helping drive operational excellence while mentoring the next generation of talent. 

A Career Built Through Growth 

John's journey at Ingram Micro is a testament to the power of embracing new opportunities. 

Over the course of his career, he earned four promotions, progressing through roles including Skills Trainer, Quality Assurance Specialist, Senior Associate, and ultimately Partner Experience Lead. 

Each role brought new challenges, broader responsibilities, and opportunities to develop new skills. 

"My proudest achievement isn't just a single project. It's the 11 year growth journey that brought me to where I am today." 

For John, those milestones represent more than career progression. They represent the culture of development that encouraged him to keep learning, adapt to change, and push beyond his comfort zone. 

Creating Better Experiences for Partners 

In his current role,John focuses on delivering an exceptional experience for partners by overseeing key aspects of the US Returns and Claims operation. 

He works closely with teams across the organization to improve processes, monitor performance, and resolve challenges quickly and effectively. 

His goal is simple: create a smoother experience for partners while ensuring teams continue to deliver high quality results. 

But beyond operational success, John sees leadership as an opportunity to help others develop their own careers. 

"Having earned four promotions over my 11 years, I use my position today to inspire my team." 

He believes in leading by example and showing others that career growth is possible when you combine dedication, curiosity, and continuous improvement. 

The Power of Trust and Mentorship 

When asked what has contributed most to his professional growth, John points to two things: strong leadership support and trust. 

Throughout his career, regular coaching conversations with managers helped him stay focused on his goals while identifying opportunities for growth. 

"Having regular, structured one-on-ones with my managers has kept me aligned with my goals and focused on what's next." 

Equally important was the confidence leaders placed in him. "My leaders didn't just assign tasks. They trusted my work output and gave me the autonomy to solve real operational challenges." 

That trust allowed him to take ownership, develop new capabilities, and build the confidence needed to continue advancing his career. 

A Culture That Inspires Growth 

For John, one of the most unique aspects of Ingram Micro is the culture. He describes it as transparent, collaborative, and growth-oriented. 

"The culture here is best described as transparent, inspiring, and growth-oriented." 

More importantly, he believes people genuinely want to see each other succeed. 

Whether through mentoring colleagues, sharing knowledge, or encouraging professional development, there is a strong sense of mutual support across teams.  "My colleagues are driven, collaborative, and deeply supportive of one another's development." 

That environment has played a significant role in helping him stay motivated and continue growing throughout his career. 

Learning Never Stops 

One of the things John enjoys most about working at Ingram Micro is that every day presents a new opportunity to learn. 

No matter how much experience he gains, there is always a new challenge to solve, a new perspective to consider, or a new way to improve.  "Learning never stops." 

Combined with a culture that encourages ownership and trusts employees to take initiative, John believes this creates an environment where people can truly thrive. 

Advice for Future Candidates 

For anyone considering a career at Ingram Micro, John's advice is straightforward: 

"Embrace every day as an opportunity to learn and take full ownership of your growth." 

He encourages candidates to stay curious, seek feedback, volunteer for new responsibilities, and remain open to continuous development. 

"Ingram Micro provides the platform, the mentorship, and the trust, but you have to bring the drive." 

For those willing to invest in themselves, he believes the opportunities are endless.