Ian Powell

Within this role, I was responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the production plant, ensuring that production targets were met through strategic planning and effective coordination. I developed and implemented employment plans, recruited, and trained new employees to ensure the right skill sets were in place to support production needs. I was also tasked with overseeing safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for all staff.

Throughout my tenure, I focused on transforming the site culture to create an engaged, high-performing workforce. The led to a number 1 ranking in the trade attitude survey during 2022. I continually improved safety and quality, maintaining a “Right First Time” quality KPI at 98.5%, consistently improving it over six years. We achieved world-class customer service levels of 98.5% by driving efficiency, enhancing reliability in planned maintenance, and boosting team skill levels through targeted training initiatives.

During the challenging Covid period, we were recognised as a top supplier across Australia and New Zealand. This was achieved by aligning our schedules with customer needs while focusing on safety, quality, and efficiency as our top three core values. I led significant transformation programs that reduced our annual labour bill by $10 million, improving operational efficiency and engagement simultaneously.

I also managed maintenance planning, ensuring equipment inspections to minimise downtime, and worked with cross-functional teams to align plant goals with overall company objectives. Additionally, I ensured strict compliance with regulatory standards and managed the plant’s budget to meet financial goals. By enforcing company policies and procedures, I fostered a culture of teamwork, utilising critical thinking and leadership to continually drive plant performance.

As a Senior Engineering Manager at Mars Food, I led engineering teams in the planning, execution, and management of site re-engineering upgrades, with a focus on packaging and equipment’s enhancements valued at approximately $10 million annually. I was responsible for developing long-term strategies and roadmaps for engineering initiatives. My role involved setting priorities, providing coaching and feedback to team members and managing cross-functional initiatives to meet business objectives.

I collaborated with other departments to align engineering efforts with broader business goals and ensure seamless communication and project coordination. Additionally, I oversaw multiple projects which were completed on time, within budget, and met quality standards. I also provided technical insights to guide decision-making and ensure best practices were followed throughout engineering processes. Furthermore, I demonstrated leadership to foster high performance within teams and consistently drive improvements across the site.

As the Site Technical Manager, I was responsible for overseeing technical and engineering operations, ensuring system efficiency and reliability. I developed and implemented engineering strategies and set quality, safety, cost, and timeline standards. I managed project schedules, budgets, and resources to ensure successful execution within set parameters. Furthermore, I selected and coordinated engineering employees whilst ensuring regulatory compliance.

In collaboration with the global engineering team, I drove data analysis for the site to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives. I worked closely with various teams to optimise processes and resolve engineering challenges. I also contributed to research and development projects to identify areas for improvement and driving site-wide enhancements. By maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, I ensured that projects met expectations whilst achieving key objectives.

My leadership and problem-solving skills enabled me to effectively manage engineering operations and implement continuous improvements that enhanced site performance.

Within this role I was responsible for overseeing all technical operations, ensuring safety, reliability, and efficient performance of IT systems. I managed computer systems, coordinated support teams, and ensured network security while aligning activities with business needs. Additionally, I was responsible for industrial engineering, overseeing processes that adhered to safety and performance standards. I managed budgets, timelines, and resources, while defining and enforcing technical policies and procedures. My role included troubleshooting complex issues, conducting data analysis to monitor system performance, and researching new technologies to improve efficiency.

I mentored and guided IT personnel, fostering skill development and career growth, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize system integration. Strong communication and problem-solving skills enabled me to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. I managed time effectively, ensured project milestones were met, and provided leadership to the team, resolving conflicts and offering support to engineers to maintain a productive work environment.

As the Production Manager at Asquith, I was responsible for planning, organising, and controlling the production process to ensure output met quality and efficiency standards. I took full responsibility for creating production schedules, managing resources, and overseeing budgeting for materials and labour. I led and motivated a team, making necessary adjustments to improve performance, and prepared detailed reports on production quality and team performance for senior management.

As a Project Manager, I led the relocation of the Skittles manufacturing line from Ballarat VIC to Asquith NSW. This involved overseeing the building extension at Asquith, decommissioning the old line, and managing the installation of the new line. I was responsible for the $6 million capital expenditure, ensuring the project was completed on time, within budget, and met quality standards. I defined project goals, identified risks, and developed mitigation strategies, while leading the team with a clear vision. My time management, problem-solving, and negotiation skills ensured successful execution, stakeholder satisfaction, and effective communication throughout the project.

This role allowed me to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of manufacturing activities, ensuring products were produced on time and met quality standards. I managed budgets, timelines, employees, and resources to optimise processes, minimise costs, and improve efficiency. I ensured adherence to safety regulations, monitored output, and handled equipment maintenance and installation. Additionally, I directed employee performance, organised training, and prepared detailed production reports. My role required strong decision-making, attention to detail, and proficiency in ERP software and MS Office to drive operational improvements.

As a Business Operations Manager, I drove the successful launch of the 5Gum product across Australia and New Zealand. This required coordination of cross-functional teams, aligning marketing, sales, and production efforts, and managing resources and project timelines to ensure smooth execution. This role required me to led and manage multiple departments, oversee recruitment, training, and performance evaluations to ensure high team productivity. Additionally, I analysed existing workflows and introduced improvements to reduce inefficiencies and optimise growth.

Within this role, I managed the planning, coordination, and execution of maintenance strategies to ensure the smooth operation of facilities and equipment, as I developed maintenance schedules to optimise reliability and reduce downtime, while handling equipment installation, emergencies, ensuring safety and OHS compliance. I also conducted regular facility inspections to maintain safety standards.

I led the maintenance team, overseeing daily activities, and ensuring efficient task completion. I prepared reports on job status and communicated effectively with other departments. By focusing on reducing equipment failures and extending asset life, I consistently delivered reliable and efficient solutions.

As a Reliability Team Leader, one of my key objectives was to implement sustainability strategies aimed at reducing on-site water usage. I ensured strict compliance with all safety regulations in the workplace, regularly analysing potential hazards and addressing them proactively to maintain a safe environment. By identifying risks and implementing corrective actions, I helped ensure smooth operations and strict adherence to industry standards and regulations.