Debbie Thomas
Mount Warren Park,QLD
Summary
Senior operations and logistics professional with extensive experience across plant hire, heavy industry, and major infrastructure projects. Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex fleet and asset movements, optimise operational performance, and deliver strong commercial outcomes while maintaining safety, compliance, and service standards. Hands-on leader with strong coordination, stakeholder management, and problem-solving capability.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Allocator
Eastern Plant Hire (EPH)
07.2025 - Current
- Coordinate daily allocation of plant and equipment to maximise utilisation and meet customer delivery requirements
- Schedule transport, drivers, and equipment movements across multiple sites
- Liaise with operations, sales, transport, and customers to resolve scheduling issues and minimise downtime
- Monitor hire extensions, returns, and maintenance requirements
- Maintain accurate system records and allocation data in line with KPIs
- Ensure all allocations comply with WH&S, fatigue, and site requirements
Branch Manager
Big Chief Hire
07.2024 - 06.2025
- Managed daily operations of two dry hire branches, overseeing earthmoving and materials handling fleets
- Led and developed a team of 12 staff across yard, transport, and administration
- Drove revenue growth and cost control initiatives, exceeding net profit targets
- Ensured WH&S compliance with zero lost-time injuries
- Coordinated workforce scheduling, fleet availability, quoting, invoicing, and customer account management
- Oversaw stock control, audits, and preventative maintenance to reduce downtime and extend asset life
Branch Manager
Lubricants Specialist Australia
01.2019 - 07.2024
- Managed end-to-end branch operations, ensuring efficient workflows and operational consistency
- Aligned branch performance with revenue, profit, and expenditure targets
- Led sales activity including customer engagement, quoting, invoicing, and dispute resolution
- Built strong customer relationships to support retention and growth
- Implemented process improvements to reduce errors and improve operational efficiency
Operations Coordinator
Cleanaway
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Coordinated daily operational activities to ensure service delivery targets were met
- Managed stock control, reconciliations, and inventory accuracy
- Responded to sales inquiries and prepared service and chemical quotes
- Set up Service Agreements and pricing structures via Salesforce and Navision
- Created sales orders and booked service jobs, supporting seamless sales-to-operations handover
Logistics Manager (Contract)
GE Power
01.2014 - 12.2017
- Managed end-to-end logistics, materials management, procurement, and expediting activities
- Coordinated domestic and international freight movements and documentation
- Raised purchase orders, processed invoices, and managed cost controls
- Designed and implemented equipment preservation systems with QA teams
- Planned and coordinated delivery of major equipment, including 780-tonne modules
- Liaised with engineers and schedulers to ensure alignment with project milestones
Logistics Manager (Contract)
Laing O’Rourke
01.2013 - 12.2014
- Improved materials expediting processes by 25% through system and workflow improvements
- Implemented inventory, storage, and preservation strategies, reducing inventory costs by 15%
- Coordinated rotating equipment schedules with engineering and construction teams
- Managed procurement, expediting, and delivery of major equipment and bulk materials
- Supervised logistics operations across multiple hubs and remote storage locations
Logistics & Operations Manager (Contract)
McConnell Dowell
10.2010 - 12.2012
- Managed procurement and logistics for approximately 18,000 line items across major projects
- Oversaw supplier expediting to ensure contractual delivery milestones were met
- Led supplier meetings, cost management, and subcontractor coordination
- Managed and mentored teams of up to 25 personnel
Senior Materials Controller (Contract)
John Holland
01.2006 - 10.2010
- Led materials management, logistics, procurement, and expediting for large infrastructure projects
- Managed over 450 contract packages and supplier agreements
- Oversaw materials distribution for the $1.2B Gold Coast Desalination Alliance
- Maintained Materials Management Systems and asset registers with high accuracy
Education
Certificate I - Business
TAFE NSW
Skills
- Operations & Fleet Coordination
- Plant & Asset Utilisation
- Team Leadership
- WH&S Compliance
- Scheduling & Allocation
- Customer Service
- Profit & Loss
- Process Improvement
- Logistics & Transport Coordination
- Stakeholder Management
- Commercial Acumen
Certification
- Blue Card (valid to April 2028)
- Australian Driver Licence (valid to June 2028)
Timeline
Allocator
Eastern Plant Hire (EPH)
07.2025 - Current
Branch Manager
Big Chief Hire
07.2024 - 06.2025
Branch Manager
Lubricants Specialist Australia
01.2019 - 07.2024
Operations Coordinator
Cleanaway
01.2017 - 01.2019
Logistics Manager (Contract)
GE Power
01.2014 - 12.2017
Logistics Manager (Contract)
Laing O’Rourke
01.2013 - 12.2014
Logistics & Operations Manager (Contract)
McConnell Dowell
10.2010 - 12.2012
Senior Materials Controller (Contract)
John Holland
01.2006 - 10.2010
Certificate I - Business
TAFE NSW