Blake Read
BURNS BEACH
Summary
Accomplished professional with a results-driven approach to business, dedicated to achieving success through customer understanding, team leadership, and supply chain management. A personable approach with a deep insight into commercial risk, performance, and positioning. Possesses extensive expertise in financial analysis and proven track record of driving profitability enhancements. Recognises that success hinges on fostering strong relationships both internally and externally, while proactively seeking opportunities for success within the contractual and operational landscape.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Commercial & Business Growth (Contract)
Self Employed
07.2017 - Current
- Various roles held across organisations, leading commercial and finance functions as well as business strategy and execution and customer development.
- Sectors include equipment, civil & health, predominately in a contracting environment across mining and government projects.
- Customer & industry engagement across the sectors, in areas such as supply chain management, market development, contractual formation and adherence as well as organisational development, all supporting business growth.
- Additional focus on emerging trends in operational delivery such as decarbonisation, social responsibilities and various contractual compliance requirements increasing in contracted frameworks.
General Manager WA/SA/NT
Programmed SKILLED Workforce
10.2015 - 07.2017
- Company Overview: (Acquisition – refer below position)
- Responsible for the Programmed SKILLED Group for WA, NT & SA.
- SKILLED Group consisted of multi industry contracting and recruitment activities across sectors including Mining, Industrials, & Technical professionals.
- Responsible for National Operational & service delivery with an staff base of 130 across the mining division with team consisting of Sales, Account management, Operations and Safety professionals.
- Responsible for Health, Safety & Environment of staff and field employees within the organization and across all customer sites. Leadership KPI’s included site safety talks, safety innovation presentations to key clients and leadership of incident reviews.
- Responsible for maximizing revenue growth in organic and new business, with prior year financials at $240M worth of contract labour within the mining division nationally
- Lead commercial negotiations and tender presentations with key customers & targets which represented some 85-90% of revenue
- Responsible for major accounts such as Rio, BHPB, FMG, Roy Hill & CP Mining, ($150M+) leading procurement and manager level relationships.
- Achievements
- Given the opportunity to migrate 2 organizations over a 12 month period consisting of Organizational structural improvements, system & data migrations and brand presence in the marketplace whilst maintaining financial performance which exceeded Budget over both years of involvement on the merged entity. My ability to lead our business through this change is an achievement I believe has me well placed for future change programs within organisations.
- Presented ‘Supplier of the Year’ with Rio Tinto for our Safety value and results and proactive support of clients endeavours in this area.
General Manager
SKILLED GROUP LTD
05.2013 - 10.2015
- Responsible for the SKILLED workforce division for WA / NT / SA
- Responsible for Operational & service delivery of approx. $280M worth of contract labour across most industry sectors
- Responsible for Health, Safety & Environment of 130 staff and 2500 field employees on our customer sites across most industry sectors
- Responsible for revenue & EBIT growth within the division across all industry sectors.
- Reporting line which included HSE, IR, Branch network consisting of 14 branches and Regional & operational managers.
- Accountable for new business growth through CRM & pipeline management, sponsoring tenders, bids, working closely with centralized function of legal/bid team.
- Accountable for organic growth within existing major accounts such as Rio, CP Mining, BHPB, Roy Hill & FMG, holding procurement lead and site GM relationships.
- Review of market analysis on labour related issues incl IR / Safety and market pay trends to share with network & clients for improved competitive positioning with client base.
- Achievements
- Transition from a commercial role to an Operational role provided a significant opportunity to lead staff & create direction and strategy for the organization on the West.
- Successfully negotiated all existing major clients within the mining space with revenue circa $125M over our 5 major clients which provided the business with the largest market share in our industry. I feel my ability to form & maintain relationships with key contact whilst in my commercial role proved pivotal to my success in the GM role.
- Played key role in the Groups transformation program removing 30% of Indirect & Direct costs whilst meeting top line expectations and maintaining key clients
Commercial Manager
SKILLED GROUP LTD
06.2009 - 05.2013
- Overseeing Commercial & Management accounting function for the Mining division initially followed by a geographical structure of WA / NT / SA.
- Client facing management of customer agreements for new & existing contracts (value of approx. $300M)
- Responsibilities include finance & commercial function, administration, procurement, and asset management
- Development of growth verticals within our client base, offering diversified services within the contracted framework
Commercial & Finance Manager (Contract)
Ausenco Services
03.2009 - 08.2009
- Contracting for commissioning stage of Lumwana Copper Project.
- Managing Commercial and Accounting functions of construction agreement between agent and client
- Monthly reporting for Joint Venture project
- Review related entities Financial Statements and reporting issues with local Zambian authorities
Commercial & Sales Manager
National Hire / Coates Hire
08.2006 - 01.2009
- Coates / National Hire are an equipment hirer with $450m in Hire Assets and Annual revenue of $300m. Position reported to the General Manager.
- Provide comprehensive commercial, finance and business analytical advice to senior management team
- Presentation of commercial and financial performance at board level
- Develop and control the budget process in line with the strategic plan for the organization along with ongoing review of issues affecting plan
- Financial control and administration including commercial review, contract evaluation, policies and procedures
- Supervise, develop and mentor accounting and administration staff
- Provide training and support to branch managers to understand profitability, measurement of key KPI’s and business improvement support
- Assist in Asset register maintenance including stock take management
- Achievements
- Exposure in detail to financial and commercial aspects of both public, and later, private companies. Dealing primarily with a centralised Financial department, this was a relatively autonomous role providing key financial detail to the General Manager and other senior managers.
- Developing and shaping a new commercial team post acquisition of Coates.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting & Business Law
Curtin University of Technology
Perth, WA01.2001
CPA Program - undefined
01.2004
Skills
- Financial reporting & analysis to board level
- Contractual formation, negotiation and management
- Customer engagement at senior level
- Internal business performance
- Business positioning to market & growth
- Sales team management
- Supply chain management
- Asset Management
OTHER ASSOCIATIONS / NON PROFESSIONAL ROLES
Treasurer and Board Member for Angel Hands (2016/18) – Angel Hands are a Not For Profit entity operating to support women and men against severe domestic violence.
Timeline
Commercial & Business Growth (Contract)
Self Employed
07.2017 - Current
General Manager WA/SA/NT
Programmed SKILLED Workforce
10.2015 - 07.2017
General Manager
SKILLED GROUP LTD
05.2013 - 10.2015
Commercial Manager
SKILLED GROUP LTD
06.2009 - 05.2013
Commercial & Finance Manager (Contract)
Ausenco Services
03.2009 - 08.2009
Commercial & Sales Manager
National Hire / Coates Hire
08.2006 - 01.2009
CPA Program - undefined
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting & Business Law
Curtin University of Technology
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