OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Mal Carseldine
CEO
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Explain your career journey with Lactalis.
I joined Lactalis in 2014, which makes me a relative newcomer within our organization. I’ve enjoyed leadership roles across our commercial function before becoming the General Manager of our Beverage & Milk business unit in 2018. It’s now my pleasure to lead the Australian business as CEO.
What makes Lactalis Australia Unique?
We are truly multi-local business. We are Local in each of our regions where we collect milk from local farmers. We manufacture, market & distribute our brands in every state of Australia.
We are multi-local nationally. We have distinct business units that are leaders in their categories and bring national presence and relevance to our customers.
And we are mutli-local globally, we take great Australian dairy products to the world through our export team while bringing dairy know how to the Australian market place through innovation, insights, manufacturing expertise & Industry leadership.
This provides a unique balance between local autonomy and global expertise rarely found in companies our size.
Rumor has it that sometime in an earlier life you were selling computer systems in Bulgaria. Is that true?
Yep– good research! Straight out of Uni actually, I was part of an exchange program where you were dispatched to faraway places in the world – I finished up in Bulgaria. I was there for about 6 months.
What if anything did you learn from your world travels that you’re now applying to your career with Lactalis.
I think to be curious. See, watch and learn. Also the value of getting out of your comfort zone. I spent a lot of time backpacking around Central & South America which was a bit hairy at times. But being out of your comfort zone is where you learn the most and create your best memories.
And that’s what you try and instill in your team?
Absolutely. It links back to curiosity. Keep your eyes and ears open. There are good ideas and opportunities everywhere!
CEO
........................................................................................................................................
Explain your career journey with Lactalis.
I joined Lactalis in 2014, which makes me a relative newcomer within our organization. I’ve enjoyed leadership roles across our commercial function before becoming the General Manager of our Beverage & Milk business unit in 2018. It’s now my pleasure to lead the Australian business as CEO.
What makes Lactalis Australia Unique?
We are truly multi-local business. We are Local in each of our regions where we collect milk from local farmers. We manufacture, market & distribute our brands in every state of Australia.
We are multi-local nationally. We have distinct business units that are leaders in their categories and bring national presence and relevance to our customers.
And we are mutli-local globally, we take great Australian dairy products to the world through our export team while bringing dairy know how to the Australian market place through innovation, insights, manufacturing expertise & Industry leadership.
This provides a unique balance between local autonomy and global expertise rarely found in companies our size.
Rumor has it that sometime in an earlier life you were selling computer systems in Bulgaria. Is that true?
Yep– good research! Straight out of Uni actually, I was part of an exchange program where you were dispatched to faraway places in the world – I finished up in Bulgaria. I was there for about 6 months.
What if anything did you learn from your world travels that you’re now applying to your career with Lactalis.
I think to be curious. See, watch and learn. Also the value of getting out of your comfort zone. I spent a lot of time backpacking around Central & South America which was a bit hairy at times. But being out of your comfort zone is where you learn the most and create your best memories.
And that’s what you try and instill in your team?
Absolutely. It links back to curiosity. Keep your eyes and ears open. There are good ideas and opportunities everywhere!
ANGELA BURR
GENERAL MANAGER MARKETING & COMMERCIAL SERVICES
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As a relative newcomer to Lactalis Australia, what have been your general observations? How for instance does it differ from other companies that you’ve worked for?
Well, in answer to the first part of the question, culturally it’s definitely exceeded my expectations. It’s an exciting place to work. There’s an entrepreneurial spirit within the business that I’ve never before encountered. People are encouraged to think outside the box, to back their judgment and take calculated risks. It makes for a very positive and energetic environment. As far as what makes it different - probably just the sense of fun. It’s very a very “uncorporate” corporate environment, if that makes sense. There’s no time or room for political games.
The explosion of social media over the past five to 10 years – that must have made your life as a marketer interesting?
It sure has! It's presented some challenges but on the flip side, so many opportunities that at times, it’s been hard to know where to start! In years gone by, marketing was all about pushing a message. Today it’s about conversations and interaction. Through all the social media channels, there’s a genuine opportunity to connect with consumers – not only understand what they like and don’t like – but why. Their beliefs and attitudes. Having access to such rich information – in real time - allows us to better understand the emerging trends. The other key difference for me is the importance now of agility – being able and prepared to act quickly. The world is moving at such a pace there’s no time to sit around in “committees”, pondering whether something will or won’t work. You have to act, which is where backing your instinct comes into play.
That’s the new world externally – what about internally? Has social media changed the way you interact with your peers? Even across other functions within the business?
It’s certainly helped people feel more connected. Within the marketing team for instance, we use “What’s App” to share images and information, war stories, successes, even red flags. That all contributes to a sense of “team”, as well aiding the agility piece. I think the other beauty from a leadership perspective is being able to share more of yourself with your team. Every now and then for instance, posting a photo of what you’re doing with your kids on the weekend. I think that helps break down barriers, because it’s not an email or a 20-slide powerpoint deck relating to work. It’s just people being real people.
How important is recruitment? What do you look for in team members?
I’m incredibly careful as to whom I bring into the business. The culture at Lactalis Australia is precious – we all have an obligation to protect it. The key for me is striking a balance between technical excellence and personality. Excellence is a given, because if they’re not smart, it’s unlikely they are going to be able to step up to the plate and contribute to the team, Then nobody wins. But beyond that – recruiting the right style of person is critical. Anybody we think might have a propensity for rocking the boat or playing political games simply doesn't get a look in!
GENERAL MANAGER MARKETING & COMMERCIAL SERVICES
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As a relative newcomer to Lactalis Australia, what have been your general observations? How for instance does it differ from other companies that you’ve worked for?
Well, in answer to the first part of the question, culturally it’s definitely exceeded my expectations. It’s an exciting place to work. There’s an entrepreneurial spirit within the business that I’ve never before encountered. People are encouraged to think outside the box, to back their judgment and take calculated risks. It makes for a very positive and energetic environment. As far as what makes it different - probably just the sense of fun. It’s very a very “uncorporate” corporate environment, if that makes sense. There’s no time or room for political games.
The explosion of social media over the past five to 10 years – that must have made your life as a marketer interesting?
It sure has! It's presented some challenges but on the flip side, so many opportunities that at times, it’s been hard to know where to start! In years gone by, marketing was all about pushing a message. Today it’s about conversations and interaction. Through all the social media channels, there’s a genuine opportunity to connect with consumers – not only understand what they like and don’t like – but why. Their beliefs and attitudes. Having access to such rich information – in real time - allows us to better understand the emerging trends. The other key difference for me is the importance now of agility – being able and prepared to act quickly. The world is moving at such a pace there’s no time to sit around in “committees”, pondering whether something will or won’t work. You have to act, which is where backing your instinct comes into play.
That’s the new world externally – what about internally? Has social media changed the way you interact with your peers? Even across other functions within the business?
It’s certainly helped people feel more connected. Within the marketing team for instance, we use “What’s App” to share images and information, war stories, successes, even red flags. That all contributes to a sense of “team”, as well aiding the agility piece. I think the other beauty from a leadership perspective is being able to share more of yourself with your team. Every now and then for instance, posting a photo of what you’re doing with your kids on the weekend. I think that helps break down barriers, because it’s not an email or a 20-slide powerpoint deck relating to work. It’s just people being real people.
How important is recruitment? What do you look for in team members?
I’m incredibly careful as to whom I bring into the business. The culture at Lactalis Australia is precious – we all have an obligation to protect it. The key for me is striking a balance between technical excellence and personality. Excellence is a given, because if they’re not smart, it’s unlikely they are going to be able to step up to the plate and contribute to the team, Then nobody wins. But beyond that – recruiting the right style of person is critical. Anybody we think might have a propensity for rocking the boat or playing political games simply doesn't get a look in!
JACQUI BAYLES
GENERAL MANAGER | LEGAL
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You have been here since February what did you first find?
Really great people, it has not taken long at all to feel like part of the team. It’s been a really great fit for me. Lactalis Australia is an organisation proud of its brands and history, but committed to the future. We are a group of people passionate about providing great dairy products and committed to a sustainable dairy industry.
With demanding roles throughout your career and children you have managed to complete post grad and Masters studies, why was it important to you to keep building your skills?
I decided that post graduate study was a good idea when I was on maternity leave with a newborn, 2 year old and 4 year old. I was focusing on being a mum at the time and having a career break. The initial drive to study was a fear that my skills would become out of date. Once I started studying again, I realised that I enjoyed the process and challenge of learning. It was something that I was doing purely for myself. The juggle of family, study and work has been tricky at times, but has been outweighed by the benefits of continuous improvement and keeping existing ones up to date and the sense of achievement you get when you pass.
In your role, you must be given a lot of information, some useful, some entirely irrelevant. How do you cut to the chase and get to the heart of the issue?
IBy understanding what has caused the issue in the first place. I love that Lactalis Australia has a value of acting with simplicity, the best part of working as a corporate lawyer is working with non-lawyers to find pragmatic and commercial solutions.
Task or Team
Team always. We spend so much time at work it’s important to cultivate a caring collaborative fun environment where people feel valued and supported. When people understand their role in the team, tasks get completed and goals achieved.
GENERAL MANAGER | LEGAL
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You have been here since February what did you first find?
Really great people, it has not taken long at all to feel like part of the team. It’s been a really great fit for me. Lactalis Australia is an organisation proud of its brands and history, but committed to the future. We are a group of people passionate about providing great dairy products and committed to a sustainable dairy industry.
With demanding roles throughout your career and children you have managed to complete post grad and Masters studies, why was it important to you to keep building your skills?
I decided that post graduate study was a good idea when I was on maternity leave with a newborn, 2 year old and 4 year old. I was focusing on being a mum at the time and having a career break. The initial drive to study was a fear that my skills would become out of date. Once I started studying again, I realised that I enjoyed the process and challenge of learning. It was something that I was doing purely for myself. The juggle of family, study and work has been tricky at times, but has been outweighed by the benefits of continuous improvement and keeping existing ones up to date and the sense of achievement you get when you pass.
In your role, you must be given a lot of information, some useful, some entirely irrelevant. How do you cut to the chase and get to the heart of the issue?
IBy understanding what has caused the issue in the first place. I love that Lactalis Australia has a value of acting with simplicity, the best part of working as a corporate lawyer is working with non-lawyers to find pragmatic and commercial solutions.
Task or Team
Team always. We spend so much time at work it’s important to cultivate a caring collaborative fun environment where people feel valued and supported. When people understand their role in the team, tasks get completed and goals achieved.
ANTHONY BOURKE
GENERAL MANAGER INDUSTRIAL
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What are the specific challenges that come with manufacturing dairy products?
Probably the biggest challenge is that we have a natural product, straight from the cow that we need to carefully handle in all stages to ensure we have the best quality milk to make great tasting finished products. The stages from the milking equipment on farm, to tankers and transportation, to milk reception and storage, and every manufacturing process step we have must be carefully controlled . This attention to detail is crucial to providing customers and consumers with high quality dairy products, across our range of great brands.
You have a large team spread across many sites and states in Australia. How do you go about leading the team?
At Lactalis we have strong leaders who are also technical experts, so trusting people to make the right decisions is a key component. Proximity is also an important part of the Simplicity value within Lactalis – meaning spending time in the field within factories and teams, providing support in person wherever possible. Importantly, setting clear and aligned goals and objectives helps provide a clear line of sight of our operational teams to the overall business strategy.
Outside of Lactalis, what do you enjoy doing?
I’m a sports tragic. I love watching my Brisbane Lions, plus cricket, tennis and horse racing. I always have a novel on the go, with my favourite type being fiction based on fact – a great way to learn more history while reading a great yarn.
New to Lactalis what legacy are you looking to create?
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I’d like to leave Lactalis Australia in a better place that when I started, including engagement levels within Industrial. This includes helping contribute to the ambitious global 2033 targets, in celebration of 100 years of Lactalis.
GENERAL MANAGER INDUSTRIAL
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What are the specific challenges that come with manufacturing dairy products?
Probably the biggest challenge is that we have a natural product, straight from the cow that we need to carefully handle in all stages to ensure we have the best quality milk to make great tasting finished products. The stages from the milking equipment on farm, to tankers and transportation, to milk reception and storage, and every manufacturing process step we have must be carefully controlled . This attention to detail is crucial to providing customers and consumers with high quality dairy products, across our range of great brands.
You have a large team spread across many sites and states in Australia. How do you go about leading the team?
At Lactalis we have strong leaders who are also technical experts, so trusting people to make the right decisions is a key component. Proximity is also an important part of the Simplicity value within Lactalis – meaning spending time in the field within factories and teams, providing support in person wherever possible. Importantly, setting clear and aligned goals and objectives helps provide a clear line of sight of our operational teams to the overall business strategy.
Outside of Lactalis, what do you enjoy doing?
I’m a sports tragic. I love watching my Brisbane Lions, plus cricket, tennis and horse racing. I always have a novel on the go, with my favourite type being fiction based on fact – a great way to learn more history while reading a great yarn.
New to Lactalis what legacy are you looking to create?
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I’d like to leave Lactalis Australia in a better place that when I started, including engagement levels within Industrial. This includes helping contribute to the ambitious global 2033 targets, in celebration of 100 years of Lactalis.
TIFFANY MILHENCH
GENERAL MANAGER HR
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Ways of working continue to change, how do you see the future workplace evolving?
People’s expectations of how they have work have really changed over the course of the last couple of years, a lot thanks to COVID. I think hybrid work and the option of flexibility is here to stay for the most part, however this needs to be balanced across organisations and roles. Creating a work environment that employees want be part of is key, whether that be updated work facilities or activities that help employees connect.
Some say we are more connected than ever, yet more disconnected than ever. What's your view on that?
My view is that individuals need to make the choice for themselves about how connected they are particularly with social media and what suits meets their needs and provides the best balance for them. The great thing about technology and social media platforms today is that people can choose to connect or not and when, and hopefully once connected they have the self- control to disconnect. I enjoy using social media platforms, not all of them but think they definitely have their benefits particularly in creating company and brand awareness along with building knowledge.
What benefits does Lactalis offer beyond salary / wages?
Lactalis offers great benefits currently and we are continuing to build on these. Current benefits include flexible work options, ability to purchase leave, salary sacrifice options for motor vehicles and some technology devices, discounts to over 500 retailers through our Milk Bar, discounts on Corporate health insurance and gym memberships. Our benefits are not limited to these Lactalis also offers opportunity for career progression, nationally and internationally, along with commitment to training and development. One of best benefits for me is working with the GREAT people across all of our business.
Outside of work what do you love doing?
Being a mum with busy kids, and like most other Mum’s my time if often taken up playing chauffer. I love going to the beach, outdoor activities or going on adventures with the family. I also enjoy physical activity and have just started Muay Thai, not to compete but for the exercise and to push myself outside of my comfort zone.
GENERAL MANAGER HR
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Ways of working continue to change, how do you see the future workplace evolving?
People’s expectations of how they have work have really changed over the course of the last couple of years, a lot thanks to COVID. I think hybrid work and the option of flexibility is here to stay for the most part, however this needs to be balanced across organisations and roles. Creating a work environment that employees want be part of is key, whether that be updated work facilities or activities that help employees connect.
Some say we are more connected than ever, yet more disconnected than ever. What's your view on that?
My view is that individuals need to make the choice for themselves about how connected they are particularly with social media and what suits meets their needs and provides the best balance for them. The great thing about technology and social media platforms today is that people can choose to connect or not and when, and hopefully once connected they have the self- control to disconnect. I enjoy using social media platforms, not all of them but think they definitely have their benefits particularly in creating company and brand awareness along with building knowledge.
What benefits does Lactalis offer beyond salary / wages?
Lactalis offers great benefits currently and we are continuing to build on these. Current benefits include flexible work options, ability to purchase leave, salary sacrifice options for motor vehicles and some technology devices, discounts to over 500 retailers through our Milk Bar, discounts on Corporate health insurance and gym memberships. Our benefits are not limited to these Lactalis also offers opportunity for career progression, nationally and internationally, along with commitment to training and development. One of best benefits for me is working with the GREAT people across all of our business.
Outside of work what do you love doing?
Being a mum with busy kids, and like most other Mum’s my time if often taken up playing chauffer. I love going to the beach, outdoor activities or going on adventures with the family. I also enjoy physical activity and have just started Muay Thai, not to compete but for the exercise and to push myself outside of my comfort zone.
PAUL LORIMER
GENERAL MANAGER MILK COLLECTION
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You have worked across many functions, marketing, manufacturing and now milk supply. What led you to take on so many varied roles?
I have always been keen to stretch my capabilities and learn more. With Lactalis Australia, I have been extremely lucky to have been offered the opportunity to work in many functions which has helped me grow my knowledge of the business and provide new learnings.
What do you love doing outside of work?
To be honest, I am a bit of a home body, so outside of work I really enjoy spending time with family and friends – I have quite a close family unit, so spending time with my daughter and wife is important. And catching up with Mum and Dad or my brothers remains a priority for me.
What is your favourite sport and why?
It is a bit cliché, but I do love all sports – I follow just about any ball sport, whether it be Rugby (Union and League), Football (or soccer), AFL, golf, tennis, cricket……just about anything. But if I had to choose a favourite it would be a toss up between Rugby Union and Football – I played Football for a large chunk of my life, over 30 years, but retired around 3 years ago.
What do you see as the most significant challenges in dairy farming in a more sustainable way?
One of the challenges I see will be the how the industry as a whole becomes more sustainable. How do we encourage new farming practices which promote sustainability and how do we provide the necessary framework for farmers to become more sustainable, while remaining efficient and protecting profitability along all aspects of the Supply Chain. More sustainable farming will be a key driver for the future of the industry, and we need to embrace this as a positive change and work with our farmer partners to drive a better future for all.
GENERAL MANAGER MILK COLLECTION
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You have worked across many functions, marketing, manufacturing and now milk supply. What led you to take on so many varied roles?
I have always been keen to stretch my capabilities and learn more. With Lactalis Australia, I have been extremely lucky to have been offered the opportunity to work in many functions which has helped me grow my knowledge of the business and provide new learnings.
What do you love doing outside of work?
To be honest, I am a bit of a home body, so outside of work I really enjoy spending time with family and friends – I have quite a close family unit, so spending time with my daughter and wife is important. And catching up with Mum and Dad or my brothers remains a priority for me.
What is your favourite sport and why?
It is a bit cliché, but I do love all sports – I follow just about any ball sport, whether it be Rugby (Union and League), Football (or soccer), AFL, golf, tennis, cricket……just about anything. But if I had to choose a favourite it would be a toss up between Rugby Union and Football – I played Football for a large chunk of my life, over 30 years, but retired around 3 years ago.
What do you see as the most significant challenges in dairy farming in a more sustainable way?
One of the challenges I see will be the how the industry as a whole becomes more sustainable. How do we encourage new farming practices which promote sustainability and how do we provide the necessary framework for farmers to become more sustainable, while remaining efficient and protecting profitability along all aspects of the Supply Chain. More sustainable farming will be a key driver for the future of the industry, and we need to embrace this as a positive change and work with our farmer partners to drive a better future for all.
LEVENT OZCAN
GENERAL MANAGER SUPPLY CHAIN
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You have worked across various global organisations and countries for Lactalis, what do you enjoy most about working in different countries and businesses?
Since joining Lactalis in 2017, I have been fortunate to collaborate with various countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific region. The opportunity to work alongside dedicated individuals at Lactalis has been truly inspiring. My continuous exposure to diverse cultures and ongoing learning has been a driving force for me on this journey. While the dairy industry presents its own set of challenges, being involved in a business that promotes health and well-being is incredibly rewarding.
Since joining the Australian team you have made a significant positive impact. As a leader how would you describe the approach you take to quickly mobilising teams?
Collaboration is crucial for achieving success at Lactalis. Establishing strong relationships and fostering trust among team members creates a positive work environment for everyone within the company. I greatly value working closely with my colleagues, setting challenging yet attainable goals, providing assistance when needed, and celebrating our accomplishments together. In my opinion, the key to success lies in sharing our efforts and progressing together as a team.
What is your favourite sport and why?
Sailing is definitely my favourite sport. There is a constant change in the environment you try to perform. You need to work as a team to understand the factors like wind, sea and waves and after that you have given decisions quickly to perform. I think is a great team sport where first you have to respect nature and try to adapt yourself to it.
What are you most enjoying about the Australian culture?
I really appreciate the Australian way of embracing outdoor living, freedom, and mutual respect. The diversity in culture adds so much depth to the country's identity, and I love trying out all the different cuisines Australia has to offer. The coastal areas I explored seemed almost otherworldly, and the dedication of Australians to preserving nature is truly inspiring.
GENERAL MANAGER SUPPLY CHAIN
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You have worked across various global organisations and countries for Lactalis, what do you enjoy most about working in different countries and businesses?
Since joining Lactalis in 2017, I have been fortunate to collaborate with various countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific region. The opportunity to work alongside dedicated individuals at Lactalis has been truly inspiring. My continuous exposure to diverse cultures and ongoing learning has been a driving force for me on this journey. While the dairy industry presents its own set of challenges, being involved in a business that promotes health and well-being is incredibly rewarding.
Since joining the Australian team you have made a significant positive impact. As a leader how would you describe the approach you take to quickly mobilising teams?
Collaboration is crucial for achieving success at Lactalis. Establishing strong relationships and fostering trust among team members creates a positive work environment for everyone within the company. I greatly value working closely with my colleagues, setting challenging yet attainable goals, providing assistance when needed, and celebrating our accomplishments together. In my opinion, the key to success lies in sharing our efforts and progressing together as a team.
What is your favourite sport and why?
Sailing is definitely my favourite sport. There is a constant change in the environment you try to perform. You need to work as a team to understand the factors like wind, sea and waves and after that you have given decisions quickly to perform. I think is a great team sport where first you have to respect nature and try to adapt yourself to it.
What are you most enjoying about the Australian culture?
I really appreciate the Australian way of embracing outdoor living, freedom, and mutual respect. The diversity in culture adds so much depth to the country's identity, and I love trying out all the different cuisines Australia has to offer. The coastal areas I explored seemed almost otherworldly, and the dedication of Australians to preserving nature is truly inspiring.
PASCAL FRANCISQUE
GENERAL MANAGER YOGURTS & DESSERTS
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What do you find most exciting about the opportunity to lead the Yogurts & Desserts Division?
I’m most excited to work with a cross functional team to continue to drive excellence in our fantastic brands like Vaalia, Tamar Valley and Farm House Gold. Y&D is a highly competitive channel, and we plan to make a greater impact on the channel by growing market share and launching new products. We see exciting times ahead for the Division.
You started your career in Australia running the Cheese division. What was your proudest achievement for that business?
We introduced and established our global brands, President and Galbani in the Australian market. These were exciting achievements for us especially increasing Lactalis Australia global footprint “down-under”. The fact that these products are made locally is a memorable milestone. Furthermore, we managed to nearly double our employee engagement result in just 2 years. This had an immediate positive result in terms of team member wellbeing, commitment and ownership across the Division and also saw improvement in our Financial results.
In your opinion, why is Employee Engagement important?
Our work place is where we spend a significant amount of time. To make the most of this experience, the better employees feel about their workplace and the company they work for, the greater the contributions they will make to the overall performance of the business. Without it, we can’t build a long term, sustainable success story.
Lactalis Australia clearly supports career rotations and career paths. You are a great example! What advice would you give to someone just starting their career with the company?
Starting my career as Sales Rep and now in charge of the Yogurts & Dessert business in Australia, means that we all have the opportunity to grow with Lactalis Australia if we are committed to its success and embrace its Values 100%! My advice would be to make the most of every opportunity, continue to grow and challenge yourself to go beyond where you think you can go. Strive to gain knowledge and a strong understanding of the industry and the business. Recognise that boundaries are useful for navigation but limitations will hold you back.
GENERAL MANAGER YOGURTS & DESSERTS
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What do you find most exciting about the opportunity to lead the Yogurts & Desserts Division?
I’m most excited to work with a cross functional team to continue to drive excellence in our fantastic brands like Vaalia, Tamar Valley and Farm House Gold. Y&D is a highly competitive channel, and we plan to make a greater impact on the channel by growing market share and launching new products. We see exciting times ahead for the Division.
You started your career in Australia running the Cheese division. What was your proudest achievement for that business?
We introduced and established our global brands, President and Galbani in the Australian market. These were exciting achievements for us especially increasing Lactalis Australia global footprint “down-under”. The fact that these products are made locally is a memorable milestone. Furthermore, we managed to nearly double our employee engagement result in just 2 years. This had an immediate positive result in terms of team member wellbeing, commitment and ownership across the Division and also saw improvement in our Financial results.
In your opinion, why is Employee Engagement important?
Our work place is where we spend a significant amount of time. To make the most of this experience, the better employees feel about their workplace and the company they work for, the greater the contributions they will make to the overall performance of the business. Without it, we can’t build a long term, sustainable success story.
Lactalis Australia clearly supports career rotations and career paths. You are a great example! What advice would you give to someone just starting their career with the company?
Starting my career as Sales Rep and now in charge of the Yogurts & Dessert business in Australia, means that we all have the opportunity to grow with Lactalis Australia if we are committed to its success and embrace its Values 100%! My advice would be to make the most of every opportunity, continue to grow and challenge yourself to go beyond where you think you can go. Strive to gain knowledge and a strong understanding of the industry and the business. Recognise that boundaries are useful for navigation but limitations will hold you back.
VINCE HOULIHAN
GENERAL MANAGER | SUPPLY CHAIN
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You’ve been in part of the company for almost 30 years – what’s kept you there for that length of time?
An organization that takes milk from a farm, converts it into drinking products, yoghurt, cheese, desserts, and then delivers it into the hands of consumers – it’s an incredibly interesting business. I’ve spent my entire career, exploring how it works. And every time I think I know all there is to know… guess what? – I’ll discover something completely new!
You're regarded as walking talking Dairy encyclopedia. Hit us with some Cow trivia.
OK. The average cow produces around 30 litres of milk a day – but only for 250 to 280 days a year. So that’s around 5000 to 6000 litres of milk a year. A bit more when they first calve.
Who’s the better business partner – the farmers or the cows?
What I’d like to say about the farmers – they are genuinely passionate about what they do - their animals and the process of farming. It’s a tough game – not for the faint hearted, but we work closely with them to ensure the best possible result for all parties.
Do you have a favourite management philosophy?
I’ve really come to appreciate there’s more creativity in any team than there is in any individual. You can be the smartest person in the room, but you're never going to be smarter than the whole group. The key as a leader is harnessing that team effort and knowledge, to get the best possible outcome. The other key for me is finding time to switch off. To have some down time when you’re not thinking about work. It’s getting harder and harder on account of technology but we all need to find ways. We need to be disciplined.
GENERAL MANAGER | SUPPLY CHAIN
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You’ve been in part of the company for almost 30 years – what’s kept you there for that length of time?
An organization that takes milk from a farm, converts it into drinking products, yoghurt, cheese, desserts, and then delivers it into the hands of consumers – it’s an incredibly interesting business. I’ve spent my entire career, exploring how it works. And every time I think I know all there is to know… guess what? – I’ll discover something completely new!
You're regarded as walking talking Dairy encyclopedia. Hit us with some Cow trivia.
OK. The average cow produces around 30 litres of milk a day – but only for 250 to 280 days a year. So that’s around 5000 to 6000 litres of milk a year. A bit more when they first calve.
Who’s the better business partner – the farmers or the cows?
What I’d like to say about the farmers – they are genuinely passionate about what they do - their animals and the process of farming. It’s a tough game – not for the faint hearted, but we work closely with them to ensure the best possible result for all parties.
Do you have a favourite management philosophy?
I’ve really come to appreciate there’s more creativity in any team than there is in any individual. You can be the smartest person in the room, but you're never going to be smarter than the whole group. The key as a leader is harnessing that team effort and knowledge, to get the best possible outcome. The other key for me is finding time to switch off. To have some down time when you’re not thinking about work. It’s getting harder and harder on account of technology but we all need to find ways. We need to be disciplined.
ANTHONY SERANDOUR
GM BEVERAGES AND MILK
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You have extensive experience across many countries working with Lactalis, what do you enjoy most about working in the Australian business?
Australia is an excellent working destination for many reasons. The country has been subject to a lot of immigration over the years. As a result, Australia is made up of a range of different cultures. Having moved around the world, I am aware of, and can easily adapt to these cultural differences in order to get things done, professionally and personally. Although I have considerable experience globally in the dairy industry, since my time in Australia I have had great experience working from a different perspective and have gained more skills and knowledge. When you think about the tyranny of distance, the weather phenomena, the high seasonality of milk production, all those challenges were new for me. Last but not least, people in business here are straight-talking. Most people here work more effectively in the day, ensuring they can leave on time: quality over quantity. I would say Australia as a whole has a better work-life balance. That being said, I do not forget my main difficulty during my first months in Australia, and that was to get used to the Aussie slang!
Lactalis is a family company that started in 1933 and despite having sales presence in 200 zones or countries, it is able to successfully be global and local at the same time. How does a World Leader achieve that?
With a global presence, Lactalis has always been able to adapt to production and consumption modes, whilst appreciating the local and cultural specificities of each country. Its model sticks to two pillars: • A local-produce orientated strategy based on a dedicated and performing local team. • Supported with a strong expertise at regional or group level who are able to share best practices from other countries.
Since coming to Australia, you have potentially travelled to more parts of Australia than many Australian’s. Which Australian trip is the most memorable so far?
Australians are famous for their love of the great outdoors and since arriving here I’ve also learnt to embrace the outdoors because that’s what Australia does best. Australia is a country where you can easily fill your free time exploring the outback in search of wildlife. My best trip so far was one of my dreams, driving through the Northern territory. It was my first trip in Australia where I drove my family and my parents for 3,000 km from Darwin and its national parks to Uluru. It also allowed me to understand the cultural identity of the Aboriginal people and to see the importance of the land, family and language.
Your family have travelled the world with you, what is it about living in different countries that keeps you and your family moving around the world with new jobs, new schools, and new homes?
At first, it is important to say that each move we have done was a decision we made as a family together. What I love before all is taking myself outside my comfort zone, meeting people who I would never otherwise meet, understanding new businesses, and facing new challenges. With travel, we can also discover new styles of cuisines. My wife is passionate about cooking, and is always keen to discover new dishes whilst also sharing our traditional French cuisine. Living in a different country also introduces the possibility of learning a new language. This is a skill that will benefit my two daughters. However, the first months are always very busy. Funny things such as getting a place to live, finding a school, obtaining working permits and so on. These things are far from simple!
What will be your legacy as the GM Beverages and Milk?
In the coming months / years, I will focus on the two following targets: • Focus on every aspect of our business to meet the needs of our customers. We want to listen to our customers, make our customers part of the solution, and map our customer's journey. • Build a pool of engaged talent for senior positions. We have to identify employees for special training and development, with the specific aim of having them take on more responsibility within the organization. It will help us to reinforce our strengths and core values.
You are known for your formidable skill with managing and measuring all lines of the P&L, how do you get across so much detail?
Before all, my background from an education perspective is a Food Industry Engineer. Coupled with various experiences in the supply chain, production, quality and R&D, it has allowed me to acquire strong operational experience. My guideline has always been to set the right KPIs to evaluate how successful the business is at reaching its target. I have also used my experience to understand well the flows of products so that I am able to challenge the performance of each function. Being close to the business is also important to not only assess performance in the 'now', but to also act as a predictive guide for the future, by indicating next step actions.
GM BEVERAGES AND MILK
........................................................................................................................................
You have extensive experience across many countries working with Lactalis, what do you enjoy most about working in the Australian business?
Australia is an excellent working destination for many reasons. The country has been subject to a lot of immigration over the years. As a result, Australia is made up of a range of different cultures. Having moved around the world, I am aware of, and can easily adapt to these cultural differences in order to get things done, professionally and personally. Although I have considerable experience globally in the dairy industry, since my time in Australia I have had great experience working from a different perspective and have gained more skills and knowledge. When you think about the tyranny of distance, the weather phenomena, the high seasonality of milk production, all those challenges were new for me. Last but not least, people in business here are straight-talking. Most people here work more effectively in the day, ensuring they can leave on time: quality over quantity. I would say Australia as a whole has a better work-life balance. That being said, I do not forget my main difficulty during my first months in Australia, and that was to get used to the Aussie slang!
Lactalis is a family company that started in 1933 and despite having sales presence in 200 zones or countries, it is able to successfully be global and local at the same time. How does a World Leader achieve that?
With a global presence, Lactalis has always been able to adapt to production and consumption modes, whilst appreciating the local and cultural specificities of each country. Its model sticks to two pillars: • A local-produce orientated strategy based on a dedicated and performing local team. • Supported with a strong expertise at regional or group level who are able to share best practices from other countries.
Since coming to Australia, you have potentially travelled to more parts of Australia than many Australian’s. Which Australian trip is the most memorable so far?
Australians are famous for their love of the great outdoors and since arriving here I’ve also learnt to embrace the outdoors because that’s what Australia does best. Australia is a country where you can easily fill your free time exploring the outback in search of wildlife. My best trip so far was one of my dreams, driving through the Northern territory. It was my first trip in Australia where I drove my family and my parents for 3,000 km from Darwin and its national parks to Uluru. It also allowed me to understand the cultural identity of the Aboriginal people and to see the importance of the land, family and language.
Your family have travelled the world with you, what is it about living in different countries that keeps you and your family moving around the world with new jobs, new schools, and new homes?
At first, it is important to say that each move we have done was a decision we made as a family together. What I love before all is taking myself outside my comfort zone, meeting people who I would never otherwise meet, understanding new businesses, and facing new challenges. With travel, we can also discover new styles of cuisines. My wife is passionate about cooking, and is always keen to discover new dishes whilst also sharing our traditional French cuisine. Living in a different country also introduces the possibility of learning a new language. This is a skill that will benefit my two daughters. However, the first months are always very busy. Funny things such as getting a place to live, finding a school, obtaining working permits and so on. These things are far from simple!
What will be your legacy as the GM Beverages and Milk?
In the coming months / years, I will focus on the two following targets: • Focus on every aspect of our business to meet the needs of our customers. We want to listen to our customers, make our customers part of the solution, and map our customer's journey. • Build a pool of engaged talent for senior positions. We have to identify employees for special training and development, with the specific aim of having them take on more responsibility within the organization. It will help us to reinforce our strengths and core values.
You are known for your formidable skill with managing and measuring all lines of the P&L, how do you get across so much detail?
Before all, my background from an education perspective is a Food Industry Engineer. Coupled with various experiences in the supply chain, production, quality and R&D, it has allowed me to acquire strong operational experience. My guideline has always been to set the right KPIs to evaluate how successful the business is at reaching its target. I have also used my experience to understand well the flows of products so that I am able to challenge the performance of each function. Being close to the business is also important to not only assess performance in the 'now', but to also act as a predictive guide for the future, by indicating next step actions.
STEPHEN BIDDLECOMBE
GENERAL MANAGER CHEESE
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You have had a very successful career in customer related roles prior to moving to this GM role. What aspects of your experience will you bring to how you approach the GM role?
Working closely with customers for so many years has taught me that trust and collaboration are critical factors in building a successful business. We absolutely need to demonstrate these qualities to be a great partner for our customers. I also hope to champion trust and collaboration within Lactalis; working openly together, listening to different views and trusting that each team member will perform is the best way to create value and overcome challenge.
If you could be a professional player of a sport what would it be and why?
Formula one driver….serious prize money and a bottomless supply of champagne! No seriously, I think it’s quite amazing how a Formula one team functions. Each person is so dependent on the person either side of them, they must rely on each other absolutely. I admire their perpetual quest for perfection as they struggle to save seconds at every step of the race.
Unpopular or popular decisions, what gets the job done?
The right decision gets the job done. I think we have to be brave enough to make the right choice without fear or favour.
Legacy move you are most proud of to date?
Moving into this role is probably the one I am most proud of. I’m extremely grateful to the people in the Lactalis YD team who have helped me progress and develop. I really hope I can support my new team in the right way so that we can take Lactalis Cheese to the next level.
GENERAL MANAGER CHEESE
........................................................................................................................................
You have had a very successful career in customer related roles prior to moving to this GM role. What aspects of your experience will you bring to how you approach the GM role?
Working closely with customers for so many years has taught me that trust and collaboration are critical factors in building a successful business. We absolutely need to demonstrate these qualities to be a great partner for our customers. I also hope to champion trust and collaboration within Lactalis; working openly together, listening to different views and trusting that each team member will perform is the best way to create value and overcome challenge.
If you could be a professional player of a sport what would it be and why?
Formula one driver….serious prize money and a bottomless supply of champagne! No seriously, I think it’s quite amazing how a Formula one team functions. Each person is so dependent on the person either side of them, they must rely on each other absolutely. I admire their perpetual quest for perfection as they struggle to save seconds at every step of the race.
Unpopular or popular decisions, what gets the job done?
The right decision gets the job done. I think we have to be brave enough to make the right choice without fear or favour.
Legacy move you are most proud of to date?
Moving into this role is probably the one I am most proud of. I’m extremely grateful to the people in the Lactalis YD team who have helped me progress and develop. I really hope I can support my new team in the right way so that we can take Lactalis Cheese to the next level.
MEABH O'CARROLL
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
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CFO, big gig! Tell us about your career at Lactalis Australia and your transition to the CFO role
I joined Lactalis Australia almost 7 years ago now as Financial Controller. It’s been an exciting time to be with the business with strong growth locally, an increased footprint of our operations in Australia and Export markets, and the integration of many new acquisitions. It’s also great to work for a company that has such a strong focus on providing development opportunities for employees and I’m excited now to embark on the new challenge of CFO and to contribute to the future strategy of the business.
What do you like about working for Lactalis Australia?
We have great people, strong brands and are part of a multinational corporation that is a worldwide leader in the dairy industry. I like the general culture of the business. Lactalis Australia has a very positive and well-earned reputation for the environment it provides for its employees. It’s friendly and supportive, and at the same time exciting and challenging.
Lactalis has three very clear values – Ambition, Simplicity, Engagement. Can you think of an instant where one or more of those values have guided your thinking or behavior?
I’d like to think all three core values guide my behavior. Engagement is an essential one. It’s important that our staff are happy and feel like they are contributing to the business. We allow our people to have genuine responsibility, make decisions, and in turn, make a difference. It creates a loyalty to the company and passion for our brands - that’s what I believe differentiates Lactalis.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
........................................................................................................................................
CFO, big gig! Tell us about your career at Lactalis Australia and your transition to the CFO role
I joined Lactalis Australia almost 7 years ago now as Financial Controller. It’s been an exciting time to be with the business with strong growth locally, an increased footprint of our operations in Australia and Export markets, and the integration of many new acquisitions. It’s also great to work for a company that has such a strong focus on providing development opportunities for employees and I’m excited now to embark on the new challenge of CFO and to contribute to the future strategy of the business.
What do you like about working for Lactalis Australia?
We have great people, strong brands and are part of a multinational corporation that is a worldwide leader in the dairy industry. I like the general culture of the business. Lactalis Australia has a very positive and well-earned reputation for the environment it provides for its employees. It’s friendly and supportive, and at the same time exciting and challenging.
Lactalis has three very clear values – Ambition, Simplicity, Engagement. Can you think of an instant where one or more of those values have guided your thinking or behavior?
I’d like to think all three core values guide my behavior. Engagement is an essential one. It’s important that our staff are happy and feel like they are contributing to the business. We allow our people to have genuine responsibility, make decisions, and in turn, make a difference. It creates a loyalty to the company and passion for our brands - that’s what I believe differentiates Lactalis.
Mal Carseldine
CEO
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Explain your career journey with Lactalis.
I joined Lactalis in 2014, which makes me a relative newcomer within our organization. I’ve enjoyed leadership roles across our commercial function before becoming the General Manager of our Beverage. Milk business unit in 2018. It’s now my pleasure to lead the Australian business as CEO.
What makes Lactalis Australia Unique
We are truly multi-local business. We are Local in each of our regions where we collect milk from local farmers. We manufacture, market & distribute our brands in every state of Australia.
We are multi-local nationally. We have distinct business units that are leaders in their categories and bring national presence and relevance to our customers.
And we are mutli-local globally, we take great Australian dairy products to the world through our export team while bringing dairy know how to the Australian market place through innovation, insights, manufacturing expertise & Industry leadership.
This provides a unique balance between local autonomy and global expertise rarely found in companies our size.
Rumor has it that sometime in an earlier life you were selling computer systems in Bulgaria. Is that true?
Yep– good research! Straight out of Uni actually, I was part of an exchange program where you were dispatched to faraway places in the world – I finished up in Bulgaria. I was there for about 6 months.
What if anything did you learn from your world travels that you’re now applying to your career with Lactalis.
I think to be curious. See, watch and learn. Also the value of getting out of your comfort zone. I spent a lot of time backpacking around Central & South America which was a bit hairy at times. But being out of your comfort zone is where you learn the most and create your best memories.
And that’s what you try and instill in your team?
Absolutely. It links back to curiosity. Keep your eyes and ears open. There are good ideas and opportunities everywhere!
CEO
........................................................................................................................................
Explain your career journey with Lactalis.
I joined Lactalis in 2014, which makes me a relative newcomer within our organization. I’ve enjoyed leadership roles across our commercial function before becoming the General Manager of our Beverage. Milk business unit in 2018. It’s now my pleasure to lead the Australian business as CEO.
What makes Lactalis Australia Unique
We are truly multi-local business. We are Local in each of our regions where we collect milk from local farmers. We manufacture, market & distribute our brands in every state of Australia.
We are multi-local nationally. We have distinct business units that are leaders in their categories and bring national presence and relevance to our customers.
And we are mutli-local globally, we take great Australian dairy products to the world through our export team while bringing dairy know how to the Australian market place through innovation, insights, manufacturing expertise & Industry leadership.
This provides a unique balance between local autonomy and global expertise rarely found in companies our size.
Rumor has it that sometime in an earlier life you were selling computer systems in Bulgaria. Is that true?
Yep– good research! Straight out of Uni actually, I was part of an exchange program where you were dispatched to faraway places in the world – I finished up in Bulgaria. I was there for about 6 months.
What if anything did you learn from your world travels that you’re now applying to your career with Lactalis.
I think to be curious. See, watch and learn. Also the value of getting out of your comfort zone. I spent a lot of time backpacking around Central & South America which was a bit hairy at times. But being out of your comfort zone is where you learn the most and create your best memories.
And that’s what you try and instill in your team?
Absolutely. It links back to curiosity. Keep your eyes and ears open. There are good ideas and opportunities everywhere!
ANGELA BURR
GENERAL MANAGER MARKETING & COMMERCIAL SERVICES
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As a relative newcomer to Lactalis Australia, what have been your general observations? How for instance does it differ from other companies that you’ve worked for?
Well, in answer to the first part of the question, culturally it’s definitely exceeded my expectations. It’s an exciting place to work. There’s an entrepreneurial spirit within the business that I’ve never before encountered. People are encouraged to think outside the box, to back their judgment and take calculated risks. It makes for a very positive and energetic environment. As far as what makes it different - probably just the sense of fun. It’s very a very “uncorporate” corporate environment, if that makes sense. There’s no time or room for political games.
The explosion of social media over the past five to 10 years – that must have made your life as a marketer interesting?
It sure has! It's presented some challenges but on the flip side, so many opportunities that at times, it’s been hard to know where to start! In years gone by, marketing was all about pushing a message. Today it’s about conversations and interaction. Through all the social media channels, there’s a genuine opportunity to connect with consumers – not only understand what they like and don’t like – but why. Their beliefs and attitudes. Having access to such rich information – in real time - allows us to better understand the emerging trends. The other key difference for me is the importance now of agility – being able and prepared to act quickly. The world is moving at such a pace there’s no time to sit around in “committees”, pondering whether something will or won’t work. You have to act, which is where backing your instinct comes into play.
That’s the new world externally – what about internally? Has social media changed the way you interact with your peers? Even across other functions within the business?
It’s certainly helped people feel more connected. Within the marketing team for instance, we use “What’s App” to share images and information, war stories, successes, even red flags. That all contributes to a sense of “team”, as well aiding the agility piece. I think the other beauty from a leadership perspective is being able to share more of yourself with your team. Every now and then for instance, posting a photo of what you’re doing with your kids on the weekend. I think that helps break down barriers, because it’s not an email or a 20-slide powerpoint deck relating to work. It’s just people being real people.
How important is recruitment? What do you look for in team members?
I’m incredibly careful as to whom I bring into the business. The culture at Lactalis Australia is precious – we all have an obligation to protect it. The key for me is striking a balance between technical excellence and personality. Excellence is a given, because if they’re not smart, it’s unlikely they are going to be able to step up to the plate and contribute to the team, Then nobody wins. But beyond that – recruiting the right style of person is critical. Anybody we think might have a propensity for rocking the boat or playing political games simply doesn't get a look in!
JACQUI BAYLES
GENERAL MANAGER | LEGAL
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You have been here since February what did you first find?
Really great people, it has not taken long at all to feel like part of the team. It’s been a really great fit for me. Lactalis Australia is an organisation proud of its brands and history, but committed to the future. We are a group of people passionate about providing great dairy products and committed to a sustainable dairy industry.
With demanding roles throughout your career and children you have managed to complete post grad and Masters studies, why was it important to you to keep building your skills?
I decided that post graduate study was a good idea when I was on maternity leave with a newborn, 2 year old and 4 year old. I was focusing on being a mum at the time and having a career break. The initial drive to study was a fear that my skills would become out of date. Once I started studying again, I realised that I enjoyed the process and challenge of learning. It was something that I was doing purely for myself. The juggle of family, study and work has been tricky at times, but has been outweighed by the benefits of continuous improvement and keeping existing ones up to date and the sense of achievement you get when you pass.
In your role, you must be given a lot of information, some useful, some entirely irrelevant. How do you cut to the chase and get to the heart of the issue?
IBy understanding what has caused the issue in the first place. I love that Lactalis Australia has a value of acting with simplicity, the best part of working as a corporate lawyer is working with non-lawyers to find pragmatic and commercial solutions.
Task or Team
Team always. We spend so much time at work it’s important to cultivate a caring collaborative fun environment where people feel valued and supported. When people understand their role in the team, tasks get completed and goals achieved.
ANTHONY BOURKE
GENERAL MANAGER INDUSTRIAL
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What are the specific challenges that come with manufacturing dairy products?
Probably the biggest challenge is that we have a natural product, straight from the cow that we need to carefully handle in all stages to ensure we have the best quality milk to make great tasting finished products. The stages from the milking equipment on farm, to tankers and transportation, to milk reception and storage, and every manufacturing process step we have must be carefully controlled . This attention to detail is crucial to providing customers and consumers with high quality dairy products, across our range of great brands.
You have a large team spread across many sites and states in Australia. How do you go about leading the team?
At Lactalis we have strong leaders who are also technical experts, so trusting people to make the right decisions is a key component. Proximity is also an important part of the Simplicity value within Lactalis – meaning spending time in the field within factories and teams, providing support in person wherever possible. Importantly, setting clear and aligned goals and objectives helps provide a clear line of sight of our operational teams to the overall business strategy.
Outside of Lactalis, what do you enjoy doing?
I’m a sports tragic. I love watching my Brisbane Lions, plus cricket, tennis and horse racing. I always have a novel on the go, with my favourite type being fiction based on fact – a great way to learn more history while reading a great yarn.
New to Lactalis what legacy are you looking to create?
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I’d like to leave Lactalis Australia in a better place that when I started, including engagement levels within Industrial. This includes helping contribute to the ambitious global 2033 targets, in celebration of 100 years of Lactalis.
GENERAL MANAGER INDUSTRIAL
........................................................................................................................................
What are the specific challenges that come with manufacturing dairy products?
Probably the biggest challenge is that we have a natural product, straight from the cow that we need to carefully handle in all stages to ensure we have the best quality milk to make great tasting finished products. The stages from the milking equipment on farm, to tankers and transportation, to milk reception and storage, and every manufacturing process step we have must be carefully controlled . This attention to detail is crucial to providing customers and consumers with high quality dairy products, across our range of great brands.
You have a large team spread across many sites and states in Australia. How do you go about leading the team?
At Lactalis we have strong leaders who are also technical experts, so trusting people to make the right decisions is a key component. Proximity is also an important part of the Simplicity value within Lactalis – meaning spending time in the field within factories and teams, providing support in person wherever possible. Importantly, setting clear and aligned goals and objectives helps provide a clear line of sight of our operational teams to the overall business strategy.
Outside of Lactalis, what do you enjoy doing?
I’m a sports tragic. I love watching my Brisbane Lions, plus cricket, tennis and horse racing. I always have a novel on the go, with my favourite type being fiction based on fact – a great way to learn more history while reading a great yarn.
New to Lactalis what legacy are you looking to create?
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I’d like to leave Lactalis Australia in a better place that when I started, including engagement levels within Industrial. This includes helping contribute to the ambitious global 2033 targets, in celebration of 100 years of Lactalis.
TIFFANY MILHENCH
GENERAL MANAGER HR
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Ways of working continue to change, how do you see the future workplace evolving?
People’s expectations of how they have work have really changed over the course of the last couple of years, a lot thanks to COVID. I think hybrid work and the option of flexibility is here to stay for the most part, however this needs to be balanced across organisations and roles. Creating a work environment that employees want be part of is key, whether that be updated work facilities or activities that help employees connect.
Some say we are more connected than ever, yet more disconnected than ever. What's your view on that?
My view is that individuals need to make the choice for themselves about how connected they are particularly with social media and what suits meets their needs and provides the best balance for them. The great thing about technology and social media platforms today is that people can choose to connect or not and when, and hopefully once connected they have the self- control to disconnect. I enjoy using social media platforms, not all of them but think they definitely have their benefits particularly in creating company and brand awareness along with building knowledge.
What benefits does Lactalis offer beyond salary / wages?
Lactalis offers great benefits currently and we are continuing to build on these. Current benefits include flexible work options, ability to purchase leave, salary sacrifice options for motor vehicles and some technology devices, discounts to over 500 retailers through our Milk Bar, discounts on Corporate health insurance and gym memberships. Our benefits are not limited to these Lactalis also offers opportunity for career progression, nationally and internationally, along with commitment to training and development. One of best benefits for me is working with the GREAT people across all of our business.
Outside of work what do you love doing?
Being a mum with busy kids, and like most other Mum’s my time if often taken up playing chauffer. I love going to the beach, outdoor activities or going on adventures with the family. I also enjoy physical activity and have just started Muay Thai, not to compete but for the exercise and to push myself outside of my comfort zone.
GENERAL MANAGER HR
........................................................................................................................................
Ways of working continue to change, how do you see the future workplace evolving?
People’s expectations of how they have work have really changed over the course of the last couple of years, a lot thanks to COVID. I think hybrid work and the option of flexibility is here to stay for the most part, however this needs to be balanced across organisations and roles. Creating a work environment that employees want be part of is key, whether that be updated work facilities or activities that help employees connect.
Some say we are more connected than ever, yet more disconnected than ever. What's your view on that?
My view is that individuals need to make the choice for themselves about how connected they are particularly with social media and what suits meets their needs and provides the best balance for them. The great thing about technology and social media platforms today is that people can choose to connect or not and when, and hopefully once connected they have the self- control to disconnect. I enjoy using social media platforms, not all of them but think they definitely have their benefits particularly in creating company and brand awareness along with building knowledge.
What benefits does Lactalis offer beyond salary / wages?
Lactalis offers great benefits currently and we are continuing to build on these. Current benefits include flexible work options, ability to purchase leave, salary sacrifice options for motor vehicles and some technology devices, discounts to over 500 retailers through our Milk Bar, discounts on Corporate health insurance and gym memberships. Our benefits are not limited to these Lactalis also offers opportunity for career progression, nationally and internationally, along with commitment to training and development. One of best benefits for me is working with the GREAT people across all of our business.
Outside of work what do you love doing?
Being a mum with busy kids, and like most other Mum’s my time if often taken up playing chauffer. I love going to the beach, outdoor activities or going on adventures with the family. I also enjoy physical activity and have just started Muay Thai, not to compete but for the exercise and to push myself outside of my comfort zone.
PAUL LORIMER
GENERAL MANAGER MILK COLLECTION
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You have worked across many functions, marketing, manufacturing and now milk supply. What led you to take on so many varied roles?
I have always been keen to stretch my capabilities and learn more. With Lactalis Australia, I have been extremely lucky to have been offered the opportunity to work in many functions which has helped me grow my knowledge of the business and provide new learnings.
What do you love doing outside of work?
To be honest, I am a bit of a home body, so outside of work I really enjoy spending time with family and friends – I have quite a close family unit, so spending time with my daughter and wife is important. And catching up with Mum and Dad or my brothers remains a priority for me.
What is your favourite sport and why?
It is a bit cliché, but I do love all sports – I follow just about any ball sport, whether it be Rugby (Union and League), Football (or soccer), AFL, golf, tennis, cricket……just about anything. But if I had to choose a favourite it would be a toss up between Rugby Union and Football – I played Football for a large chunk of my life, over 30 years, but retired around 3 years ago.
What do you see as the most significant challenges in dairy farming in a more sustainable way?
One of the challenges I see will be the how the industry as a whole becomes more sustainable. How do we encourage new farming practices which promote sustainability and how do we provide the necessary framework for farmers to become more sustainable, while remaining efficient and protecting profitability along all aspects of the Supply Chain. More sustainable farming will be a key driver for the future of the industry, and we need to embrace this as a positive change and work with our farmer partners to drive a better future for all.
GENERAL MANAGER MILK COLLECTION
........................................................................................................................................
You have worked across many functions, marketing, manufacturing and now milk supply. What led you to take on so many varied roles?
I have always been keen to stretch my capabilities and learn more. With Lactalis Australia, I have been extremely lucky to have been offered the opportunity to work in many functions which has helped me grow my knowledge of the business and provide new learnings.
What do you love doing outside of work?
To be honest, I am a bit of a home body, so outside of work I really enjoy spending time with family and friends – I have quite a close family unit, so spending time with my daughter and wife is important. And catching up with Mum and Dad or my brothers remains a priority for me.
What is your favourite sport and why?
It is a bit cliché, but I do love all sports – I follow just about any ball sport, whether it be Rugby (Union and League), Football (or soccer), AFL, golf, tennis, cricket……just about anything. But if I had to choose a favourite it would be a toss up between Rugby Union and Football – I played Football for a large chunk of my life, over 30 years, but retired around 3 years ago.
What do you see as the most significant challenges in dairy farming in a more sustainable way?
One of the challenges I see will be the how the industry as a whole becomes more sustainable. How do we encourage new farming practices which promote sustainability and how do we provide the necessary framework for farmers to become more sustainable, while remaining efficient and protecting profitability along all aspects of the Supply Chain. More sustainable farming will be a key driver for the future of the industry, and we need to embrace this as a positive change and work with our farmer partners to drive a better future for all.
LEVENT OZCAN
GENERAL MANAGER SUPPLY CHAIN
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You have worked across various global organisations and countries for Lactalis, what do you enjoy most about working in different countries and businesses?
Since joining Lactalis in 2017, I have been fortunate to collaborate with various countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific region. The opportunity to work alongside dedicated individuals at Lactalis has been truly inspiring. My continuous exposure to diverse cultures and ongoing learning has been a driving force for me on this journey. While the dairy industry presents its own set of challenges, being involved in a business that promotes health and well-being is incredibly rewarding.
Since joining the Australian team you have made a significant positive impact. As a leader how would you describe the approach you take to quickly mobilising teams?
Collaboration is crucial for achieving success at Lactalis. Establishing strong relationships and fostering trust among team members creates a positive work environment for everyone within the company. I greatly value working closely with my colleagues, setting challenging yet attainable goals, providing assistance when needed, and celebrating our accomplishments together. In my opinion, the key to success lies in sharing our efforts and progressing together as a team.
What is your favourite sport and why?
Sailing is definitely my favourite sport. There is a constant change in the environment you try to perform. You need to work as a team to understand the factors like wind, sea and waves and after that you have given decisions quickly to perform. I think is a great team sport where first you have to respect nature and try to adapt yourself to it.
What are you most enjoying about the Australian culture?
I really appreciate the Australian way of embracing outdoor living, freedom, and mutual respect. The diversity in culture adds so much depth to the country's identity, and I love trying out all the different cuisines Australia has to offer. The coastal areas I explored seemed almost otherworldly, and the dedication of Australians to preserving nature is truly inspiring..
GENERAL MANAGER SUPPLY CHAIN
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You have worked across various global organisations and countries for Lactalis, what do you enjoy most about working in different countries and businesses?
Since joining Lactalis in 2017, I have been fortunate to collaborate with various countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific region. The opportunity to work alongside dedicated individuals at Lactalis has been truly inspiring. My continuous exposure to diverse cultures and ongoing learning has been a driving force for me on this journey. While the dairy industry presents its own set of challenges, being involved in a business that promotes health and well-being is incredibly rewarding.
Since joining the Australian team you have made a significant positive impact. As a leader how would you describe the approach you take to quickly mobilising teams?
Collaboration is crucial for achieving success at Lactalis. Establishing strong relationships and fostering trust among team members creates a positive work environment for everyone within the company. I greatly value working closely with my colleagues, setting challenging yet attainable goals, providing assistance when needed, and celebrating our accomplishments together. In my opinion, the key to success lies in sharing our efforts and progressing together as a team.
What is your favourite sport and why?
Sailing is definitely my favourite sport. There is a constant change in the environment you try to perform. You need to work as a team to understand the factors like wind, sea and waves and after that you have given decisions quickly to perform. I think is a great team sport where first you have to respect nature and try to adapt yourself to it.
What are you most enjoying about the Australian culture?
I really appreciate the Australian way of embracing outdoor living, freedom, and mutual respect. The diversity in culture adds so much depth to the country's identity, and I love trying out all the different cuisines Australia has to offer. The coastal areas I explored seemed almost otherworldly, and the dedication of Australians to preserving nature is truly inspiring..
PASCAL FRANCISQUE
GENERAL MANAGER YOGURTS & DESSERTS
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What do you find most exciting about the opportunity to lead the Yogurts & Desserts Division?
I’m most excited to work with a cross functional team to continue to drive excellence in our fantastic brands like Vaalia, Tamar Valley and Farm House Gold. Y&D is a highly competitive channel, and we plan to make a greater impact on the channel by growing market share and launching new products. We see exciting times ahead for the Division.
You started your career in Australia running the Cheese division. What was your proudest achievement for that business?
We introduced and established our global brands, President and Galbani in the Australian market. These were exciting achievements for us especially increasing Lactalis Australia global footprint “down-under”. The fact that these products are made locally is a memorable milestone. Furthermore, we managed to nearly double our employee engagement result in just 2 years. This had an immediate positive result in terms of team member wellbeing, commitment and ownership across the Division and also saw improvement in our Financial results.
In your opinion, why is Employee Engagement important?
Our work place is where we spend a significant amount of time. To make the most of this experience, the better employees feel about their workplace and the company they work for, the greater the contributions they will make to the overall performance of the business. Without it, we can’t build a long term, sustainable success story.
Lactalis Australia clearly supports career rotations and career paths. You are a great example! What advice would you give to someone just starting their career with the company?
Starting my career as Sales Rep and now in charge of the Yogurts & Dessert business in Australia, means that we all have the opportunity to grow with Lactalis Australia if we are committed to its success and embrace its Values 100%! My advice would be to make the most of every opportunity, continue to grow and challenge yourself to go beyond where you think you can go. Strive to gain knowledge and a strong understanding of the industry and the business. Recognise that boundaries are useful for navigation but limitations will hold you back.
GENERAL MANAGER YOGURTS & DESSERTS
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What do you find most exciting about the opportunity to lead the Yogurts & Desserts Division?
I’m most excited to work with a cross functional team to continue to drive excellence in our fantastic brands like Vaalia, Tamar Valley and Farm House Gold. Y&D is a highly competitive channel, and we plan to make a greater impact on the channel by growing market share and launching new products. We see exciting times ahead for the Division.
You started your career in Australia running the Cheese division. What was your proudest achievement for that business?
We introduced and established our global brands, President and Galbani in the Australian market. These were exciting achievements for us especially increasing Lactalis Australia global footprint “down-under”. The fact that these products are made locally is a memorable milestone. Furthermore, we managed to nearly double our employee engagement result in just 2 years. This had an immediate positive result in terms of team member wellbeing, commitment and ownership across the Division and also saw improvement in our Financial results.
In your opinion, why is Employee Engagement important?
Our work place is where we spend a significant amount of time. To make the most of this experience, the better employees feel about their workplace and the company they work for, the greater the contributions they will make to the overall performance of the business. Without it, we can’t build a long term, sustainable success story.
Lactalis Australia clearly supports career rotations and career paths. You are a great example! What advice would you give to someone just starting their career with the company?
Starting my career as Sales Rep and now in charge of the Yogurts & Dessert business in Australia, means that we all have the opportunity to grow with Lactalis Australia if we are committed to its success and embrace its Values 100%! My advice would be to make the most of every opportunity, continue to grow and challenge yourself to go beyond where you think you can go. Strive to gain knowledge and a strong understanding of the industry and the business. Recognise that boundaries are useful for navigation but limitations will hold you back.
VINCE HOULIHAN
GENERAL MANAGER | SUPPLY CHAIN
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You’ve been in part of the company for almost 30 years – what’s kept you there for that length of time?
An organization that takes milk from a farm, converts it into drinking products, yoghurt, cheese, desserts, and then delivers it into the hands of consumers – it’s an incredibly interesting business. I’ve spent my entire career, exploring how it works. And every time I think I know all there is to know… guess what? – I’ll discover something completely new!
You're regarded as walking talking Dairy encyclopedia. Hit us with some Cow trivia.
OK. The average cow produces around 30 litres of milk a day – but only for 250 to 280 days a year. So that’s around 5000 to 6000 litres of milk a year. A bit more when they first calve.
Who’s the better business partner – the farmers or the cows?
What I’d like to say about the farmers – they are genuinely passionate about what they do - their animals and the process of farming. It’s a tough game – not for the faint hearted, but we work closely with them to ensure the best possible result for all parties.
Do you have a favourite management philosophy?
I’ve really come to appreciate there’s more creativity in any team than there is in any individual. You can be the smartest person in the room, but you're never going to be smarter than the whole group. The key as a leader is harnessing that team effort and knowledge, to get the best possible outcome. The other key for me is finding time to switch off. To have some down time when you’re not thinking about work. It’s getting harder and harder on account of technology but we all need to find ways. We need to be disciplined.
GENERAL MANAGER | SUPPLY CHAIN
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You’ve been in part of the company for almost 30 years – what’s kept you there for that length of time?
An organization that takes milk from a farm, converts it into drinking products, yoghurt, cheese, desserts, and then delivers it into the hands of consumers – it’s an incredibly interesting business. I’ve spent my entire career, exploring how it works. And every time I think I know all there is to know… guess what? – I’ll discover something completely new!
You're regarded as walking talking Dairy encyclopedia. Hit us with some Cow trivia.
OK. The average cow produces around 30 litres of milk a day – but only for 250 to 280 days a year. So that’s around 5000 to 6000 litres of milk a year. A bit more when they first calve.
Who’s the better business partner – the farmers or the cows?
What I’d like to say about the farmers – they are genuinely passionate about what they do - their animals and the process of farming. It’s a tough game – not for the faint hearted, but we work closely with them to ensure the best possible result for all parties.
Do you have a favourite management philosophy?
I’ve really come to appreciate there’s more creativity in any team than there is in any individual. You can be the smartest person in the room, but you're never going to be smarter than the whole group. The key as a leader is harnessing that team effort and knowledge, to get the best possible outcome. The other key for me is finding time to switch off. To have some down time when you’re not thinking about work. It’s getting harder and harder on account of technology but we all need to find ways. We need to be disciplined.
ANTHONY SERANDOUR
GM BEVERAGES AND MILK
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You have extensive experience across many countries working with Lactalis, what do you enjoy most about working in the Australian business?
Australia is an excellent working destination for many reasons. The country has been subject to a lot of immigration over the years. As a result, Australia is made up of a range of different cultures. Having moved around the world, I am aware of, and can easily adapt to these cultural differences in order to get things done, professionally and personally. Although I have considerable experience globally in the dairy industry, since my time in Australia I have had great experience working from a different perspective and have gained more skills and knowledge. When you think about the tyranny of distance, the weather phenomena, the high seasonality of milk production, all those challenges were new for me. Last but not least, people in business here are straight-talking. Most people here work more effectively in the day, ensuring they can leave on time: quality over quantity. I would say Australia as a whole has a better work-life balance. That being said, I do not forget my main difficulty during my first months in Australia, and that was to get used to the Aussie slang!
Lactalis is a family company that started in 1933 and despite having sales presence in 200 zones or countries, it is able to successfully be global and local at the same time. How does a World Leader achieve that?
With a global presence, Lactalis has always been able to adapt to production and consumption modes, whilst appreciating the local and cultural specificities of each country. Its model sticks to two pillars: • A local-produce orientated strategy based on a dedicated and performing local team. • Supported with a strong expertise at regional or group level who are able to share best practices from other countries.
Since coming to Australia, you have potentially travelled to more parts of Australia than many Australian’s. Which Australian trip is the most memorable so far?
Australians are famous for their love of the great outdoors and since arriving here I’ve also learnt to embrace the outdoors because that’s what Australia does best. Australia is a country where you can easily fill your free time exploring the outback in search of wildlife. My best trip so far was one of my dreams, driving through the Northern territory. It was my first trip in Australia where I drove my family and my parents for 3,000 km from Darwin and its national parks to Uluru. It also allowed me to understand the cultural identity of the Aboriginal people and to see the importance of the land, family and language.
Your family have travelled the world with you, what is it about living in different countries that keeps you and your family moving around the world with new jobs, new schools, and new homes?
At first, it is important to say that each move we have done was a decision we made as a family together. What I love before all is taking myself outside my comfort zone, meeting people who I would never otherwise meet, understanding new businesses, and facing new challenges. With travel, we can also discover new styles of cuisines. My wife is passionate about cooking, and is always keen to discover new dishes whilst also sharing our traditional French cuisine. Living in a different country also introduces the possibility of learning a new language. This is a skill that will benefit my two daughters. However, the first months are always very busy. Funny things such as getting a place to live, finding a school, obtaining working permits and so on. These things are far from simple!
What will be your legacy as the GM Beverages and Milk?
In the coming months / years, I will focus on the two following targets: • Focus on every aspect of our business to meet the needs of our customers. We want to listen to our customers, make our customers part of the solution, and map our customer's journey. • Build a pool of engaged talent for senior positions. We have to identify employees for special training and development, with the specific aim of having them take on more responsibility within the organization. It will help us to reinforce our strengths and core values.
You are known for your formidable skill with managing and measuring all lines of the P&L, how do you get across so much detail?
Before all, my background from an education perspective is a Food Industry Engineer. Coupled with various experiences in the supply chain, production, quality and R&D, it has allowed me to acquire strong operational experience. My guideline has always been to set the right KPIs to evaluate how successful the business is at reaching its target. I have also used my experience to understand well the flows of products so that I am able to challenge the performance of each function. Being close to the business is also important to not only assess performance in the 'now', but to also act as a predictive guide for the future, by indicating next step actions.
STEPHEN BIDDLECOMBE
GENERAL MANAGER CHEESE
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You have had a very successful career in customer related roles prior to moving to this GM role. What aspects of your experience will you bring to how you approach the GM role?
Working closely with customers for so many years has taught me that trust and collaboration are critical factors in building a successful business. We absolutely need to demonstrate these qualities to be a great partner for our customers. I also hope to champion trust and collaboration within Lactalis; working openly together, listening to different views and trusting that each team member will perform is the best way to create value and overcome challenge.
If you could be a professional player of a sport what would it be and why?
Formula one driver….serious prize money and a bottomless supply of champagne! No seriously, I think it’s quite amazing how a Formula one team functions. Each person is so dependent on the person either side of them, they must rely on each other absolutely. I admire their perpetual quest for perfection as they struggle to save seconds at every step of the race.
Unpopular or popular decisions, what gets the job done?
The right decision gets the job done. I think we have to be brave enough to make the right choice without fear or favour.
Legacy move you are most proud of to date?
Moving into this role is probably the one I am most proud of. I’m extremely grateful to the people in the Lactalis YD team who have helped me progress and develop. I really hope I can support my new team in the right way so that we can take Lactalis Cheese to the next level.
MEABH O'CARROLL
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
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CFO, big gig! Tell us about your career at Lactalis Australia and your transition to the CFO role
I joined Lactalis Australia almost 7 years ago now as Financial Controller. It’s been an exciting time to be with the business with strong growth locally, an increased footprint of our operations in Australia and Export markets, and the integration of many new acquisitions. It’s also great to work for a company that has such a strong focus on providing development opportunities for employees and I’m excited now to embark on the new challenge of CFO and to contribute to the future strategy of the business.
What do you like about working for Lactalis Australia?
We have great people, strong brands and are part of a multinational corporation that is a worldwide leader in the dairy industry. I like the general culture of the business. Lactalis Australia has a very positive and well-earned reputation for the environment it provides for its employees. It’s friendly and supportive, and at the same time exciting and challenging.
Lactalis has three very clear values – Ambition, Simplicity, Engagement. Can you think of an instant where one or more of those values have guided your thinking or behavior?
I’d like to think all three core values guide my behavior. Engagement is an essential one. It’s important that our staff are happy and feel like they are contributing to the business. We allow our people to have genuine responsibility, make decisions, and in turn, make a difference. It creates a loyalty to the company and passion for our brands - that’s what I believe differentiates Lactalis.