Tell us a bit about your career to date. My career started in South Africa where I worked for a small import/export business before moving to the UK and finding my way into the healthcare arena. That environment gave me a great understanding of the intricacies of manufacture and supply and shaped my career path. I wanted to broaden my experience and learn more about service provision in healthcare and that led me to Bunzl, UK. I worked in Bunzl’s healthcare leadership team for several years before migrating to Australia in 2017. After a few years doing project and development roles for large corporates, I found my way back to Bunzl in 2021 – it’s good to be back.
What does your role involve? I work in the commercial equipment and hotel fit-out space. In a nutshell, my role is to develop strategy, work closely with the team to understand and manage the challenges we face. I also work closely with existing and develop new supplier and customer relationships and work with internal personnel to streamline our operational and administrative functions.
What’s the most interesting thing about your role? Although I have visited many hotels, restaurants, convention centres and the like, I have never thought too much about what goes on behind the scenes and what goes into setting up and managing a facility. I now have a greater appreciation for the ball-juggling required when opening a hotel and what goes into ensuring a commercial kitchen is designed and functions properly. Before taking on this role, I thought a salamander was a large lizard-like creature… who knew it was a specialised kitchen appliance!
Tell us about a career highlight. The most memorable parts of my career have come through the people I have met, and what I have learned from them. I enjoy people and have made some lifelong friends at work, both customers and colleagues. Those people who work hard and can have fun doing it have left lasting impressions on me and have shaped my attitude in the workplace.
Contact Wayne at wayne.chivell@bunzl.com.au.
