Growing up in the rural town of Warwick, Queensland Transport & Logistics has always been an integral part of Desmond Roche's life, from helping neighbours round up sheep, to completing a bachelor of business and the successful completion of the Tarong Energy Graduate Program.
Roche, whose current role as a commercial analyst at Powerlink incorporates a strong focus on procurement, says his ultimate goal is to ‘smash’ preconceived notions about the Supply Chain and Logistics industry.
“I want to support a new re-shaped image of best practice and value adding,” he says.
Roche’s position at Powerlink involves undertaking and managing the procurement of a variety of goods and services both domestically and internationally.
“These have included construction projects, such as the green fields design and construction of electrical substations and high voltage transmission lines, the engagement of consultants, and logistics projects such as a 100t transformer relocation.”
“My job also involves the acquisition of material and equipment like circuit breakers, capacitor banks, steel cables and power suppliers, with varying levels of exposure to currency and commodity markets.
“Managing these exposures requires he development of strong supplier relations and employing mitigation strategies such as fixing prices and/or placing hedges.”
“I am also responsible for providing commercial advice at the strategic and operational levels, ensuring compliance with QLD Government policies and procedures, and delivering sound social and commercial outcomes,” he says.
While achieving a balance between sound social and commercial outcomes in such a turbulent marketplace provides many challenges, Roche enjoys day-to-day procurement which he says always keeps him thinking about best practice.
“Being in procurement also allows you to interact with almost every stakeholder group in the business,” he enthuses.
“This has given me a great opportunity to learn from these groups and understand the company’s requirements better.”
With 16 months in the job under his belt, Roche is well qualified. He holds a Bachelor of Business from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with a major in international business, a Level 4 Certification in Strategic Procurement from the Queensland Government Chief Procurement Office (QGCPO) CIPS - Diploma Membership, A certificate in the Fundamentals of Inventory Management from APICS and a Diploma of Export Management from the Australian Institute of Exporters (AIEx).
“In 2007 I underwent the 12 month intensive ‘Procurement Professional Graduate Development Program’ through the Queensland Government Chief Procurement Office (QGCPO) and Tarong Energy,” he adds.
“This gave me a great insight into the practical application of procurement, logistics, and the supply chain. I found the experience invaluable for my current role.”
“The senior staff in my workplace have taken a lot of their own time out to help train me on the practical application of the theory,” Roche says.
“This has been great and I have learnt a lot about what happens in the ‘real world’.
“I’ve been given time to participate in industry groups and sit on a number of industry committees including the SCLAA. My employer has also invested further in my development by putting me on a ‘development plan' and by sending me along to training seminars.
“These include level 4 certification through the QGCPO, AS4000 ‘General Conditions of Contract’ through SAI GLOBAL, Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (BCIPA) through the RICS Dispute Resolution Service, Electric Power Basics Course and Conflict Resolution through the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).”
As a young Logistician, Desmond Roche sees a long term future in the industry and a host of opportunities for career development.
Of his aspirations he says: “I hope that through hard work and dedication to my role I will eventually work my way into a senior role in Procurement and/or Supply.”