Employee Interview – Adriana

Tell us about your role with IFC and how long you have been with the business.
Next week will be my two-year anniversary at IFC. What started as a casual job as a picker and packer has evolved into a role as a Project Coordinator. I am proud to say that this role began with me at the company, and it has been a journey from picker and packer to dispatch operator, and now, for the past three months, Project Coordinator.

Currently, while I continue to learn about international shipment logistics, my main role is to assist our Business Development Manager in managing various projects. My primary responsibilities include coordinating with our team for the receiving and dispatching of goods, organizing machinery for handling goods, and booking transportation to project sites while ensuring compliance with regulations. I am also responsible of creating the billing for the projects, covering warehouse charges and all expenses associated with delivering FCL or LCL shipments. Additionally, I update clients on stock movements, create schedules, and develop project plans, while monitoring daily project progress. Alongside this role, I have declared myself an ambassador for the environment.

What do you enjoy most about working at IFC?
The learning path has been incredible. In just two years, I have learned so much about the supply chain industry. This is my first time in this industry, and the more I learn, the more I think of new ways of doing things. Everyone who gets to know me understands my passion for the environment and my commitment to not only doing things in a more sustainable way but also teaching others to be more responsible. What I love most about IFC is how I felt heard from my first week here. I need to thank Lennie first, who was the first person I connected with over our shared love for the environment and sustainability, which really motivated me to keep going. Since I arrived, I have tried to educate people about the importance of the environment, seeing the efforts IFC is making towards that goal. I also want to thank Ian, who gave me the chance to start in this current position. He recognized my commitment to IFC and my abilities. It feels good to have your work recognized and to be mentored and encouraged to grow. Finally, I must mention my main mentor in recent months, Glenn, from whom I have learned a lot. His encouragement has been invaluable in my learning journey.

What drew you to work in the supply chain industry?
It was purely accidental. Two years ago, I decided to leave my previous job and take a break to reassess my career path. I took a job as a picker and packer attracted by the flexible schedule and the opportunity to explore new interests and unwind. What I didn’t know was that I was going to fall in love with the process. From day one at IFC, I saw endless opportunities for personal development. It was then that I decided to pursue a career in the supply chain industry, starting from ground up. This journey has helped me evolve into my current role, and I’m excited continue learning and bring new ideas as I gain more experience.

Tell us a little about your background and experience.
I studied chemical and environmental engineering in Colombia. During and after graduation, I worked at an environmental consulting company, starting as a junior engineer and progressing to a project engineer. Seven years ago, I moved to Australia to improve my English language skills. After that, I also completed a certificate in project management.

Upon arriving in Australia, I began working at a cleaning company as a cleaner. Within a few months, I escalated to cleaning supervisor and later to assistant manager. In this role, I contributed to the company’s growth by developing new strategies, policies, and guidelines to improve practices and procedures. I coordinated projects, managed the team, and served as the environmental ambassador, focusing on eco-efficient products and better practices to reduce waste. My responsibilities included administrative tasks such as incident reporting and staff rostering, overseeing scheduling, training, and daily cleaning operations. I also reviewed and improved cleaning processes and health, safety, and environment procedures.

I worked at this company for five years, sponsored by them. Despite my appreciation for the learning and support, I eventually leave the job and took for a part-time job that offered better work-life balance, leading me to join IFC as a casual worker. My diverse experiences have taught me the value of continuous learning and the opportunity to contribute innovative ideas. I enjoy applying my engineering background to solve new challenges and believe in promotion team morale and commitment to achieve superior results and high-quality work.

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you’ve encountered in your experience working in the industry?
In my experience working in the industry, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is adapting to the constantly evolving client requirements. These changes not only present challenges but also give us the opportunity to continuously learn while maintaining our values, ensuring we deliver excellent service while remaining responsible towards our team and the environment. As I transition into this new role, my goal is to lead by example and promote sustainable practices that resonate with environmentally conscious clients. By doing so, I’ll not only improve our overall operations but also attract clients who share our commitment to environmental responsibility.

How do you think IFC differentiates from competitors?
As this is my first time working in this industry, I don’t have extensive knowledge about our competitors. However, I do know that IFC has been delivering first-class supply chain solutions for over 30 years and understands the value of the natural environment and our obligation to reduce its impact. Not many large companies are as committed to sustainability as IFC. That’s why I am dedicated to helping IFC follow all applicable regulatory standards, minimize resource use, and lead in providing environmentally sustainable services. I will continue my journey of learning to introduce procedures that are more sustainably, which I believe is one of our biggest challenges.

For aspiring professionals interested in a career in the supply chain industry, what advice would you give them to kickstart their journey?
I would advise them to embrace the mindset that there is always room for improvement. This industry offers a diverse range of roles that provide ample opportunities for learning and growth. By remaining open to continuous learning and demonstrating a strong work ethic, people can discover their passion within an industry that is dynamic and constantly evolving.

What hobbies or interests do you enjoy pursuing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy a variety of hobbies and interests. I love spending time with my pets – two dogs, two cats, and some fish. Family is important to me, and I’m fortunate to have my brother, sister-in-law, and newborn nephew living just five minutes away. Soccer and salsa dancing are passions of mine, and I dedicate much of my free time to these activities. My partner and I also volunteer at aged care facilities, providing companionship to elderly individuals who often feel isolated. We share a love for nature and hiking, we practice environmental responsibility by picking up litter during our daily walks with our dogs. Additionally, we enjoy DIY projects and are currently learning the basics as we pursue our dream of building our own tiny home.

Describe your life’s motto in a few words!
There are two Favorite mottos I live by, although they are not my own. The first is ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’ by Mahatma Gandhi, and the other, which I recently discovered, is ‘There must be a better way to make the things we want, a way that doesn’t spoil the sky, or the rain, or the land’ by Paul McCartney.