Meet Eugene — Tech Sourcing Team

Hi, I’m Eugene — and yes, the photo below is accurate. I joined Coupang in August 2023 as a Senior Tech Sourcer on the Korea Tech Sourcing Team. My role involves sourcing tech talent, just like my title suggests. Whether I’m performing at a ‘senior’ level is something I occasionally wonder but self-reflection is growth. 

What made you join Coupang and come to Korea after having lived in the US? 

I knew of Coupang but never used it while living in the US. As an American e-commerce user and former global e-commerce company employee, it was the recruiters who made me want to learn more about Coupang and eventually inspired me to join the company. They clearly knew what they were doing, and I now have the privilege of learning from them as they are now my managers and stakeholders. At Coupang, I saw an opportunity to have a more direct and visible impact on the business. While my previous company is a massive organization with well-established systems, Coupang’s rapid growth and evolving landscape offered a chance to contribute more meaningfully.

When I finally decided to return to Korea, a country I left in 2002 during a peak of patriotism, I became even more impressed with Coupang as an active customer. In my previous job, 'Customer Obsession' is a core leadership principle — and it’s something they deeply value. At Coupang, that principle is taken a step further: it’s not just about meeting customer expectations, it’s about wowing them. Returning an item that doesn’t require repackaging or making a trip to the UPS store? I finally started asking myself the same thing that everyone else seems to be  – wondering, “How did I ever live without Coupang?” 

What were your first impressions of the company culture and environment?        

It felt a lot like my previous company, just with more face time and more folks who shared my background. I expected fewer time zone math headaches, but that wasn't the case — it’s actually gotten harder when you are working on expat hiring. Coupang’s culture of speed, ownership, and customer obsession really resonated with me. It felt like a natural extension of the values I appreciated at my previous company, but with a more agile and entrepreneurial twist. It's fast-paced, dynamic, energizing, exhilarating, and honestly — it feels like home. 

What has been the biggest change since you’ve joined Coupang?  Do you think Coupang has also gone through a change?  

Let’s just say, I found a lot more than a job here — I also met my lifelong partner. Don’t get me wrong, I stayed focused on sourcing tech talent, but I wasn’t exactly slacking on sourcing a life partner either. Now I’ve got more motivation than ever. I have someone to provide for, and that someone is also my constant competitor. I’d say it’s a whole new level of workplace rivalry, in the most loving way possible. On the company side, Coupang hasn’t slowed down either. The bar keeps rising, and so does mine. It’s a constant loop of setting higher standards — professionally and personally. 

If you're considering a career at Coupang, dive into the dynamic and fast-paced environment. It's an ever-evolving space that rewards adaptability and ambition. Build strong relationships, leverage the chance to collaborate, and aim high (note to self: I should probably start doing this too). You’ll grow in ways you didn’t expect — with the support of a team that truly has your back. And you might even meet your soulmate. No promises, but never say never.