Motivated by the sense of achievement which comes from seeing a project come to life, Sylvan joined the Steel & Tube team in July this year after holding a variety of roles throughout the construction industry. Here, Sylvan shares the story of his career journey to date and why he loves his work.
Tell me about your career journey to date
I entered the building industry about eight years ago working for a company that services power tools. As I am a DIY enthusiast myself, I enjoyed the opportunity to take something apart and put it back together so I started as a Service Technician who repaired and serviced power tools. Over the years, I developed a knowledge and passion for the construction industry so I moved through a variety of roles, such as Service Manager, Branch Manager and Key Account Manager.
It was time for a change so I joined the Steel & Tube team in a hybrid role which combines technical and sales skills. My role as a Specification Manager for Roofing is focused on supporting the Asian market which I really enjoy. I work with architects and builders so I get to provide assistance at every stage of the project.
What do you love most about your role?
My role is extremely varied and I also receive great mentorship from my colleagues. On my first day with Steel & Tube, my manager picked me up from my house at six o’clock in the morning and we went to the airport. We flew down to Wellington to meet with Steel & Tube customers. It was a great way for me to be in the market and to learn more about Steel & Tube’s products as I watched presentations by my colleagues. The mentorship I’ve received during my time with Steel & Tube has been a real asset to my growth within the business. It’s certainly a very supportive team environment in which everyone collaborates on projects to problem solve and deliver.
What excites you most about the construction sector in New Zealand?
As the construction industry is a major contributor to New Zealand’s economy, it’s always exciting to see a project coming to life. I enjoy being involved at every stage of the process. It’s a unique role in which I am able to work with a range of people which I really enjoy. The construction sector is a major employer in New Zealand so it’s exciting to be able to not only contribute to it in terms of supplying great products but to also be able to provide advice and guidance as required by those using these products.
As I am working in the area of roofing and cladding, it’s rather exciting to be able to see our products ensuring both the integrity and cosmetic appeal of infrastructure across New Zealand. Ultimately, we play a role in supporting both the community and the economy which I find very motivating.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
I can’t narrow it down to just one so I’ll share two pieces of advice. My dad always stressed the importance of having empathy. In a similar vein, my mum would often say: “Life is a mirror”. For me, these two pieces of advice speak to the importance of trying to see a situation from someone else’s perspective. This lesson is important to me as it has clear applications beyond the workplace and is an important reminder in day-to-day life.
Outside of work, what do you get up to?
I have recently started collecting plants, particularly succulents. I also really enjoy completing projects around the house. My indoor plant collection has grown significantly lately so I built a shelf to house all of my plants.
When I’m not enjoying some DIY or tending to my plants, I enjoy hiking with friends on a weekend morning. There are a variety of two to three hour walking tracks in West Auckland which I enjoy exploring. It’s a great way to get away from the city without being too far from home.
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