ERNEST LAPORNIK

As Business Development and Production Manager for a small manufacturing company with a diverse product portfolio—including Solids Vacuum Pumps, Stone Dusting Equipment, Polyurethane Products and Conveyor Pulleys and Lagging—operating in NSW, the Middle East, and Africa, I was responsible for overseeing both business growth and operational performance. The role involved strategic planning to identify new business opportunities, expand the client base, and increase revenue, while also managing production processes to ensure efficiency and quality. Key duties included developing and implementing growth strategies, fostering client relationships, negotiating contracts, and preparing business proposals, as well as monitoring production systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and optimizing processes for improved quality and efficiency

Key responsibilities in this role included developing growth strategies and plans, managing and maintaining relationships with both new and existing clients, and expanding the client base and revenue. The role required an in-depth knowledge of CPS products, including conveyor idlers and pulleys, as well as their value propositions. Additional tasks involved writing business proposals and quotations, negotiating with key stakeholders at all levels of the business, researching new business opportunities, and developing new products.

Responsible for auditing and ensuring compliance with production quality systems at the Coaltram LHD manufacturing facility, in line with Australian and international standards. Key duties included developing and implementing quality metrics for manufacturing procedures, monitoring and analyzing the entire production cycle to identify opportunities for quality and efficiency improvements, and collaborating with suppliers, engineering, and production teams. The role also involved creating operating instructions and equipment specifications for production teams.

As part of the engineering services division, my primary responsibilities included conducting vibration analysis and thermographic audits, analyzing data, and preparing detailed reports for clients. Additionally, I performed tribological analysis in accordance with ISO4406:99 standards and prepared corresponding reports. I also conducted bearing and power transmission training packages for clients.

As the Sales Manager of a small team in the process control and instrumentation industry, I was responsible for ensuring the company met its planned sales goals. This included coaching and supporting individual sales representatives to achieve their budgets and KPIs, managing the activities and performance of the sales team, and developing comprehensive business plans covering sales, revenue, and expenditure.

In this role, I was responsible for coordinating day to day local branch operations, including staff hiring and supervision, and developing strategies to achieve financial targets. Eventually becoming a Product Segment Manager, my responsibilities expanded to include the development of sales and marketing strategies for the NSW sales team, acting as a product champion to increase market share, and enhancing both client and internal staff understanding of the Power Transmission product segment.