Sebastian Pierre returns to Toxic – as Developer and Consulting Manager

Can you tell us about your journey into the IT industry and where you are today?

Entrepreneurship runs in my family - we had a printing business where I was involved from an early age. That sparked my interest in color, form, and design. In high school, I also had a great teacher who introduced me to programming, and that’s when my interest in development really started to grow.

After graduation, I studied graphic design and web development at the School of Engineering here in Jönköping. Fairly early on, I realized that programming was what I was most passionate about. I studied for two years and then added an extra year to complete a bachelor’s degree in Informatics with a focus on leadership.

Since I’m from Gnosjö, I was already familiar with Toxic. They had built many industrial websites in the area, so I applied for internships several times, but there were no openings at the time. After graduating in 2015, Kalle and Daniel reached out and wanted to meet me, and I started at Toxic in September that year.

I worked at Toxic for six years and was part of an exciting growth journey. After that, I wanted to try something new and joined Sogeti, where I stayed for four years. I kept in touch with Kalle during that time, and when we reconnected in early 2025, it felt like the right time to return. At Sogeti, I worked with large clients - similar to those I work with at Toxic today - where relationships are long-term and the work is more proactive.

You’ve stepped into the role of Consulting Manager. Tell us more.

I’ve worked in the industry for about ten years, almost exclusively in programming. For me, this felt like a natural next step in both my development and career. Taking on more leadership and being able to support others is very rewarding. Otherwise, it’s easy to get stuck focusing only on your own growth — this step feels like the right move for me.

How does it feel to be back at Toxic as both a developer and Consulting Manager?

It feels great. It’s a bit unique to be both new and familiar at the same time. It’s exciting to come back to a team that works so well together. Many companies try to build strong teams but don’t fully succeed - here, it truly works.

It’s also exciting to be part of my team, Systeam, while being able to use my leadership skills more. I often take on a natural leadership role, especially when supporting junior colleagues. That’s something Kalle and I discussed even before I returned, and something they believed would suit me well.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

It varies a lot. My days include everything from workshops and client meetings to estimations and programming. Some days are packed with meetings, while others I spend with headphones on, coding all day.

I enjoy the variation and having multiple things going on - as long as there are clear priorities and structure.

What makes the role and the industry enjoyable for you?

What often strikes me is that it doesn’t really feel like a job. It allows me to express creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving. No two days are the same, even if the foundation is.

Being able to guide and support colleagues also feels very meaningful.

How would you describe your way of working and leading?

I see myself as a listening, supportive, and motivating leader. In group settings, I’m not always the most outspoken person. If someone else takes that role, I’m comfortable stepping into more of a “backseat driver” leadership position.

I strongly believe in recognizing each person’s potential and helping them take their next step.

What are you most looking forward to in the coming year?

I’m looking forward to growing further into the Consulting Manager role while continuing to be an active part of Toxic as a whole. It will be exciting to contribute both as a leader and developer, drive technical initiatives, and get to know the consultants I’m responsible for.

What are you particularly proud of in your professional role?

I’m proud of being unpretentious in my approach. It doesn’t matter if someone has worked for one year or twenty - I believe you can always learn something from others. In this industry, you’re never truly finished learning.

How do you continue to grow and develop in your role?

I’m quite good at taking on things I’m not completely comfortable with. I enjoy trying new things and I’m very curious about new technologies and frameworks.

I’m also driven when it comes to areas I find interesting and like being involved in client dialogues to gain a deeper understanding of their businesses.

Finally, what’s the best thing about working at Toxic?

It’s the combination of community, leadership, and trust. I’m given a lot of responsibility and strong trust from Kalle and Daniel, which helps me grow.

The culture at Toxic is very unique and never feels forced. It’s a mix of “work hard, play hard.” We genuinely have a lot of fun together - and very few workplaces manage to maintain that feeling as they grow.