Guy Churcher, National Business Development Manager in Hospitality shares how creating strong relationships with customers and colleagues, as well as working with a diverse product range, have helped to drive his career as a Business Development Manager.
Tell us about your role at Bunzl ANZ.
I am currently in a national BDM corporate account role, starting in sales as a rep managing hospitality customers and later becoming the Sales Manager, working in that role for 10 years.
How did you get started in the industry?
I started as a mini-bar attendant at a five-star hotel in the Christmas holidays at the age of 15 (something that wouldn’t happen now). I started my sales career at Panasonic and an opening came up for a sales role at Salgo which was acquired by Bunzl several years later.
What do you appreciate the most about your position?
The people I work with and the close relationships and trust that is formed as you become part of the businesses you’re collaborating with.
Has there been anything particularly surprising about your role?
The diverse range and scope of products that you need to be a specialist in and keeping up to date with trends. It is never boring.
What have been some major highlights of your career?
The biggest would be the Innovation Centre in Sydney. From concept to design and layout, and managing the full fit-out, this centre was industry-leading at the time. There has been lots of projects and new builds as well as special projects which has been very rewarding when you see them come to fruition.
What are you excited to see more of in the future when it comes to your industry?
When I first started in the 90s, hospitality was a very cottage industry and watching it change and mature has been exciting. The public are a lot more discerning, and this keeps the momentum going for innovation, as well as the inspiration to keep pushing new boundaries.
