Graduates and students 26 Jul 2023

Meet a Logistics Lead

Meet John, a Logistics Lead

A career at Woodside can take you in many different directions. We asked some of our graduates to share their story.

Your Name: John

Your Job Title: Pluto Expansion Logistics Lead

University Attended: Curtin University

Degree qualification: Business Information Systems and Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Year of graduation: 2019

 

What do I do?

I work in the Warehouse, Inventory, Logistics (WIL) Projects team within the Supply Chain function at Woodside Energy. I am Currently supporting the Operations Readiness team on the Pluto Expansion project. This involves leading the logistics activities that we are responsible for and supporting our project teams by working with vendors in different parts of the world to execute logistics activities, such as freight forwarding, storage, and materials management. 

What's your background?

I was born in Perth, but I spent most of my early life in Kenya. For most of my primary education, I was home schooled and studied through the School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE). Growing up in Kenya, has allowed me to experience many diverse cultures as well as meet people from different backgrounds. I travelled between Kenya and Australia before settling in Perth to complete my High School education at Aranmore Catholic College.

After graduating I attended Curtin University where I started studying Civil Engineering. I then switched to Business Information Systems and Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

During one of my classes at university we heard from a group of graduates on their experience working at Woodside and they advertised the Woodside Summer Vacation Program. I was successful in my application to the Program, and after completing the 3-month program, I was offered a graduate position within Logistics.

During my 3-year graduate program I worked in different teams within Logistics. From working in Marine Performance and Capability, to Chemical Management and Compliance, as well as working as an office-based Drilling Logistics Coordinator. Working in all these different teams and with all my colleagues, leaders and mentors in the business has given me the opportunity to start building a foundation as a Logistics professional. I hope to continue developing this and gaining more experience as part of the WIL Projects team.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Our team is made up of people from different backgrounds, if you are open to listening, learning, and work with others, then you’re already heading in the right direction. It’s important to enjoy solving problems and working with data to help make decisions.


What's the coolest thing about your job?

I love working across different teams to deliver supply chain solutions to the teams we support. I get to learn about how the supply chain works and how to look at ways to help the teams I support implement the right Supply Chain tools and processes to help them deliver their tasks successfully. There are lots of opportunities within supply chain, I have especially enjoyed the times where I have been able to go offshore and support some of our production assets.

What are the limitations of your job?

With business partners and teams around the world, managing time zones can be difficult. However, thanks to Woodside’s flexible working arrangements, managing different time zones is considerably less challenging.

3 pieces of advice for yourself for your university-self?

  1. Take as many opportunities as you can when they come your way.
  2. Believe in your ability to learn and improve, look at obstacles as opportunities to grow.
  3. Invest in your friendships and community. An African Proverb I heard says “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”

 


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