SPECIAL PEOPLE
Seven years ago I was given the opportunity to start my career with Mainfreight. As part of the graduate program, my first year was spent loading and unloading freight at our Southdown depot in Auckland. This worked wonders for myself as the transition from varsity life to a work environment was easier due to my hours which was the afternoon shift - 1.00pm start. This encouraged my sleep ins and late night finishes. After mastering the art of loading and unloading I was given the opportunity to learn the Customer Service and rating side of the business with the intention of moving into Sales as my knowledge increased. This was around the time that I hit a roadblock in my career as I wasn't too interested in the Transport part of the business. Luckily for me, my branch manager at this time saw this and to keep my learning stimulated,sent me across to the Logistics division of Mainfreight (Third Party Logistics in those days was the new and exciting catch phrase).
From here I continued to learn the business from the ground up. After a few months on the warehouse floor I realised that this industry excited me and decided to learn more about the whole 3PL business and what was required to service this industry effectively and efficiently.
Progression through the business was also easier as I was given a mentor who gave me side projects to complete which I enjoyed doing in my own time. This assisted in my move into the Logistic's Sales Team.
The promotion from within policy gave me my first true test as I was given the opportunity to become a Branch Manager of a Logistics facility. Although this was a scary move it provided a great opportunity for me it gave me a chance to learn about my leadership skill plus help grow the business into profitability.
As time progressed and more changes came along, I moved from Branch Manager to the Logistics National Support Team during the Owens business merger. With the growth in the Australasian market in 2005, another career change came my way, this time to move across the ditch and assist with the development of Logistics Business in NSW. Again I had no hesitation in saying yes to this new and exciting role and made the move across from New Zealand to Australia.
I am currently based in Sydney and trying to make a difference in this growth market. What next - Maybe USA, Dubai, who knows. With Mainfreight "anything is possible" and over the past seven years, I have changed roles 6 times (all of them good), and have had the privilege to work with some great people and leaders, and have grown with a business which is fast becoming a global identity.