Having joined the Steel & Tube team in July, Michael discusses his role as National Quality Manager and Lead Auditor. He delves into his career to date and why he joined the Steel & Tube team.
Welcome to the team, Michael. What aspects of your role are you most excited about?
This role is a significant step up for me and it’s completely different to any role I’ve undertaken before. I have a depth of experience in the steel industry so I’m enjoying the opportunity to apply my experience in a broader role in a large business with a multi-site structure. After only a few months as part of the QHSET team, I felt welcome and settled in. It’s been an adjustment, that’s for sure. I am really enjoying tackling new challenges in such a supportive environment.
As I’m based in Auckland, it has been interesting to settle into a new role at Alert Levels 4 and 3. The QHSET team is based across the country so we’re well set up to work remotely. I wasn’t expecting to be meeting so many colleagues through a screen. However, I have been able to reach out to colleagues when I have questions. The flexible work culture has certainly eased the process of settling in during a prolonged period of remote work.
What does your appointment mean for our customers?
As a business, Steel & Tube ensures quality through prevention. We’ve worked meticulously to define robust quality procedures to ensure customers are provided with the quality of product they need. This is certainly an approach to quality assurance that aligns with my methodology. With communities relying on the quality of the products specified for the houses they live in and the buildings they work in, the team take a lot of pride in our work.
Despite being relatively new to my role, it has been great to be able to connect with people across the business to build relationships as we all work to deliver for our customers. This sense of comradery has become even more prominent with the recent COVID-19 alert level changes. It’s been great to pull together as not only the QHSET team but the wider business to do whatever we can to deliver for the customers we partner with across New Zealand.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of the construction industry?
I have come to appreciate the level of detail behind every construction project. There is so much thought which goes into the construction of buildings. As a business playing a role in this complex process, it’s critical to simplify wherever possible. This certainly underpins our approach to quality in the QHSET team. Procedures and processes can become laborious and overwhelming if complex. So, I enjoy taking these processes and distilling them down to the core requirements as that ultimately drive excellence within Steel & Tube’s businesses. Most importantly, this translates to quality product arriving on our customer’s sites.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
Try everything once so that you can get out of your comfort zone and discover what you really enjoy. Whatever you end up specialising in, you’ll bring in skills from your prior roles. I’m a process engineer by trade. I also completed financial analysis of business units in one of my prior roles as well as being involved with procurement. I say don’t be afraid to take on a challenge outside of your area of expertise. You might just find a new passion.
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