What's your job about?

I work for Kalari - A specialist bulk logistics provider, servicing the mining and resources sector. Kalari is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Swire Australia group.

I am a demand planner for the Kalari operation at BHPB’s Olympic Dam. As a demand planner, I am responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of 19 road trains, 48 drivers and 5 supervisors. I am responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of seven (7) inbound products and for the timely delivery of one (1) outbound product to Adelaide.

A standard day typically involves:

• Morning meetings with the Kalari Olympic Dam team, followed by a daily BHPB meeting, discussing the daily product movements, safety, and any other significant items.
• Monitoring driver fatigue, fleet utilisation, COR, and fleet servicing.
• Liaising with supervisors in Adelaide, Port Augusta and Olympic Dam to ensure all vehicles are operating as per schedule.

What's your background?

I was born in Sydney (90’) to two ‘Kiwi’ parents who moved to Australia in the 80’s. I went to school on Sydney’s north shore, and university south of the bridge at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Growing up I was madly into sports, and I love the outdoors (still do). I also enjoyed science, maths and business at school, which largely led to my choice of degree (Engineering and Commerce).

I applied for a job at Swire after a few years as a structural engineering undergrad/grad. I felt that the career path as a pure design engineer was not for me, as I craved the bigger picture and a broader spectrum of work. I applied for Swire and was lucky enough to get an interview – The rest is history. I have been at Swire for almost two years now, and am currently in my second rotation through the Swire subsidiaries.

In my spare time, I love to explore and get out of my comfort zone. I go on hikes/bushwalks and road trips with my camera as often as possible.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes – I am not alone in the belief that Swire benefits enormously from employing individuals from different backgrounds.

The key to my current role as a demand planner is a combination of hard work, dynamic decision making, and communication. These skills, although natural to some, can be learnt and I would encourage anyone to give it a go.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I love that I have an opportunity to be in unique work environments to which I would have otherwise never been exposed (given my current qualifications and skillset). In my current position as a demand planner, what really makes my day is when a driver calls up to say “thanks”. It is so simple but I wouldn’t ask for anything else.

Living remotely, I also have access to some of the most beautiful countryside in Australia. I try to go camping as often as possible and spend a night by one of the many salt lakes (Lake Hart, Gairdner, Torrens) at least once a week. Being so far from the city, I also have access to the clearest of night skies. This has been a great opportunity for me to explore the world of astrophotography, and meet some great people at the Woomera Observatory each week.

What are the limitations of your job?

As a demand planner, you are required to be switched on at all times, covering a 24/7 operation that runs 365 days a year. I therefore on occasion find it difficult to separate myself from the day-to-day operations on the weekends.

Some people may also find the isolation of a remote mine operation quite difficult to handle. If you are smart about it, however, it is definitely manageable and can be a positive experience.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Listen to yourself, listen to others.
2. Travel.
3. Pursue a passion that is greater than you.