Ben Walkley

Background

About Ben Walkley

I am an innovative and dynamic operational leader, with a career that spans technical leadership, operational excellence, commercial growth, sustainability directives, new product development and supply chain functions. I have been able to guide multi-site teams through change, launch new manufacturing facilities, improve product development processes and embed robust sustainability frameworks.As a people leader I am approachable, understanding and adaptable, coaching and mentoring direct reports, influencing executive leaders and guiding project teams to achieve organisational goals. Across my roles, I have led and motivated teams, creating engagement by setting clear targets and working alongside staff to ensure that they have the tools to succeed. I have also worked closely with executive leaders to influence strategy and gain buy-in to new initiatives and to support all phases of change programmes. Leading the sustainability portfolio for Frucor Suntory in New Zealand, I planned and delivered on company sustainability objectives, with these spanning reductions in water, gas and waste, recyclability improvement and a focus on carbon-neutral claims and net-zero concepts. I have led major operational improvements, working with the executive, production and manufacturing teams to achieve our 2030 goals and align outcomes with wider commercial targets. I have worked closely with the marketing and consumer engagement teams to respond to the changing demands of customers, with a focus on reduced-sugar, recyclability and environmentally friendly products. Prior to this I spent five years in Sydney, Australia as the Technical Manager, working between the research and development team and marketing teams, to focus project planning and resources on products that were commercially viable and could be produced efficiently, with market success. This included launching the business’s first kombucha product, commissioning the AU2M factory build, setting up all operational practices and recruiting the team, with the product portfolio expanded across Australasia. Innovation | Operational Excellence | People Leadership | Sustainability | Strategic Development | Change Management | Commercial Growth | New Product Development | Project Management | New Business Development | Research and Development | Quality Management | Production and Manufacturing | Customer Engagement