DuluxGroup

Volunteer, gain experience, work lots of jobs, and take all opportunities. I found that my degree got my foot in the door and got me an interview however, my work experience got me the job

What's your job about?

This is my second rotation in my graduate program. The graduate program offers up to 4 rotations through different supply chain areas to learn different skills and processes within the supply chain.  This rotation I am working within the Dulux Trade Team to support the trade store network. I am assisting in better managing inventory accuracy in the stores through developing new reports alongside auditing & cleaning master data. Every day, I make corrections to the material master which contains all our store data to ensure that the store network systems are running smoothly. In this role, I’ve learned how to use business intelligence and automation tools to manage our daily, weekly, and monthly reporting. I have created daily reports looking at negative stocks, overdue deliveries, cycle counts, and in-store adjustments. 

What's your background?

Post high school, I studied costume design and work in the USA for a year before returning to complete my degree. After that, I traveled and gain experience in Hong Kong working for a fashion start-up. This is where I found a real interest in the supply chain. I loved being a part of a bigger picture, interacting with different suppliers, and see something grow from a concept till it arrived in the consumer's hands. I then moved to China and completed my Grad Cert. online. Visiting factories, shipping yards and gaining knowledge about the supply chain from one of the greatest manufacturing hubs. After that, I returned to Australia and found a place as part of the Duluxgroup team. Working amongst lots of different cultures and gaining experience that I couldn’t back home help me mature, learn new skills, and set me up to be quite resilient. 

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes! I came from a very different background and almost everything I’ve done- I’ve learnt on the job. The world is filled with transferable skills that could make you an asset to a company. I was amazed at how frequently my design skills have come in useful. In my mind, all experience is a good experience. 

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I have appreciated how much that my workplace has been a learning environment. Often, I have been given challenges or problems I have never faced before, I love how it is always acceptable to say, “I don’t know how to do that…but I’m sure I will know how by next week”. Even in my interview, they made it clear that they were willing to teach new skills. This program is here to help you grow into a leader. Your personality and ability to learn are the important things that you can bring to the table. 

What are the limitations of your job?

In the new post covid world, most workplaces have changed to working from home environment. In my present rotation, I spend most days working from home as even when you go into the office no one else is there. As an extroverted and team-driven person, I have found this quite difficult. Looking at supply chain positions, I would consider if you would prefer a hands-on role in distribution or manufacturing vs. the working from home/office environment of procurement and planning. There are limitations in both types of roles but it is important to find the right role for you.

Finally, not every part of my job is thrilling and exciting. Some of it is just work. I’ve found from all my work experience that you must find the elements of work that you enjoy (eg. team environments, dynamic vs. repetitive role, desk bound or hands-on) and make a career choice based on that criteria.  

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

Just say yes! (and learn to do it after) - If you don’t know how to do something or something appears out of your field of knowledge, say yes to the task. If you need help along the way you can ask for help and it is very likely you will learn something.
Volunteer, gain experience, work lots of jobs, and take all opportunities - I found that my degree got my foot in the door and got me an interview however, my work experience got me the job.

Once you are working, you are working forever – enjoy your time now - When I was a student, I was so anxious that I would never get a stable job. I stressed so much about finding work. A family friend said the above advice to myself and I brushed it off.

Looking back, I understand that she knew an opportunity would eventually appear and the stress didn’t help me enjoy my time as a student. Enjoy your time now

My main responsibilities are conducting research to investigate the technologies currently available and trying to make them work in the context of coatings. 

What's your name and job title? What did you study? When did you graduate?

My name is Daniel Fioretti and I work as a research and development chemist for Dulux. I attained a Bachelor of Science degree (with a major in Chemistry) from the University of Melbourne in 2011.

Where did you grow up? Can you tell us about any important stages of your life in regards to education and work history?

I grew up in the leafy green north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne and was always interested in how things work.  I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do for a career so I made sure to choose VCE subjects that would enable me to apply for the majority of science and engineering degrees on offer.  I didn’t quite score high enough to be offered my first preference and although it was disappointing at the time, I was also determined to make the best of the offer I did receive.

I’ve worked in a number of fields before my current role in the coatings industry.  My very first job was as a cleaner in a local butcher’s shop. The flexible working hours allowed me to focus on VCE and served me well into my university years too.  I also picked up experience tutoring several students in mathematics during high school. While in university, I participated in an eight-week summer studentship program attached to one of the research groups in the School of Chemistry.  During this studentship, I made a really good impression on one of the postdoctoral researchers in the group and I was subsequently offered a role as a research assistant, which lasted almost two years.

How did you get to your current job position? For how long have you had it?

Towards the end of my research assistant stint, I received an email that was circulated throughout the School of Chemistry.  Dulux was looking for chemists and I responded by submitting an expression of interest. I successfully navigated the hiring process along with around nine other applicants and later found out that we had made the cut from over 400 original applicants.

Although my role and responsibilities have changed several times, I have worked for Dulux for four years now.  Initially, I was investigating novel paint manufacturing methods in advance of our new production facilities coming online.  I then transitioned into a product focused role in which I had the opportunity to work on the re-launch of Dulux’s flagship interior paint range: Wash&Wear.  For the past year, however, I have really found my niche in the organisation. I am currently working on the technologies that underpin our paint formulations as well as trying to push the boundaries of what our coatings can do and identifying new opportunities to exhibit this functionality.

What does your employer do?

Dulux is the leading paint company in Australia.  However, many people are unaware that the DuluxGroup (which Dulux is a major part of) also includes other well-known companies such as Selleys, Cabots and Yates.  The combination of coatings, construction compounds and gardening with other products (eg B&D garage doors and Lincoln Sentry cabinetry) allow consumers to improve their home or office and encourage them to “imagine a better place.”

What are your areas of responsibility?

My main responsibilities are conducting research to investigate the technologies currently available and trying to make them work in the context of coatings.  I am also a safety representative and have recently embarked on managing a team of some 20 people to implement the 5S organisational methodology throughout our building.  Another responsibility has been organising and running brainstorming sessions around delivering new products and services to market.

Can you describe a typical work day?

The first thing I do is check my business emails and plan out my day to work around any meetings that have been organised with colleagues, suppliers or external stakeholders.  I will often be involved in making up several paints in the lab and then commence testing in the afternoon. Aside from some general admin tasks I record my results and redesign my paint formulas for the next day to address any shortcomings that may be present.

Suppose a student was considering your career. What would you advise them to study? Are there any soft skills that would be beneficial for them to develop? Should they pursue any sort of work experience?

The majority of people who work in the labs here have degrees in either formulation science or chemistry.  While there are many people here who do have postgraduate qualifications as well, I wouldn’t say it is essential.

Interpersonal skills are vital to any position in which you are working with others.  Having the best grades and references possible isn’t worth all that much if you can’t sell yourself well to the real people on the other side of the interview.  Another area that is important is creativity. The ability to consider something from a different perspective might enable you to find a better solution to your next challenge.

I cannot stress highly enough the importance of having work experience.  My experience when job hunting was that for every job that mentioned the importance of an honours or master’s degree, there were ten jobs that required a minimum of two to three years’ experience.  

The type of people who succeed are the ones who have a good personal brand.  Your personal brand is influenced by everything you do while at work: the quality of work you produce, the timeliness in which you deliver it, being a team player, your attitude, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and being a cultural fit within the organisation.

What do you love the most about your job? Which kind of task do you enjoy the most?

The thing I love the most is exploring brand new ideas and doing things completely differently to how they’ve been tried before.  Running brainstorming sessions with my colleagues is a great way to be exposed to and share left-field concepts and then refine them into interesting, yet workable ideas.

What’s the biggest limitation of your job? Do you bear a lot of responsibility? Do you have to work on weekends? Is your job physically demanding?

Perhaps the biggest challenge of my current role is the number of tasks that have to be juggled simultaneously.  This is made easier by effective planning and time management.

People both inside and outside of my team depend on me to carry out certain tasks and it will reflect badly on me to “drop the ball”.  However, I prioritise my tasks according to importance and if more is expected of me than can be realistically achieved, I make sure to get the assistance I need from within the organisation.

It’s very rare that I’ll take work home, but occasionally it is required during exceptionally busy periods.  

My job can be physically demanding at times. Paint isn’t exactly light and making larger batches can require considerable lifting and/or carrying of raw materials and the final product.

What would your career be if you weren’t doing what you’re doing now?

The thing I always enjoyed about chemistry is the breadth of industries that are involved.  Even if I wasn’t involved in coatings, there are opportunities in mining, food science, materials, adhesives, cosmetics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and many others.

Which three pieces of advice would you give to a current university student?

Play to your strengths:  Using a butter knife to undo a screw is sometimes possible but never ideal.  You’ll achieve the most success if you do something you enjoy and ideally are well suited to.

Pay your dues:  I often hear people talk about a “good job”, but any job is better than none.  Every position you hold, even if not directly related to your desired field, will better equip you with experience and soft skills to succeed later on.  Don’t be overly preoccupied with finding your ideal job straight out of university. Any experience you gain in your field makes you a much stronger contender for those “better” positions down the line.

Don’t stop:  Things will go wrong, yet it’s seldom the end of the world.  Most career journeys are not a simple and straight road leading directly to your ideal role.  There will likely be potholes, detours and maybe even the occasional crash along the way. Learn from these and keep on moving forward, even if you are forced to change direction.

A large portion of my role consists of month-end reporting, budgeting & forecasting & involvement in the formation of business strategy.

What's your job about?

At Cabot’s we are the market leader of providing Woodcare products in Australia. Working as a financial analyst, my position involves working closely with all departments (Marketing, Sales, management, R&D, etc.) to provide support for decision making in addition to developing the commercial acumen of the broader business. A large portion of my role consists of month-end reporting, budgeting & forecasting & involvement in the formation of business strategy.

In addition to the day-to-day requirements of my job, I am also involved in a number of project teams, often acting as finance lead. This has led me to work on some really interesting projects including Mergers & Acquisitions and some large scale cost improvement initiatives – saving the business over $500,000 last financial year!

What's your background?

I grew up in Moonee Ponds, attending St. Bernard’s College in Essendon. Like most teenagers, I wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to take, however knowing that the AFL dream was well and truly over meant the concept of entering a business course was pretty appealing!

Entering a business course that majored in Economics and Finance meant my options were pretty open and also included a year’s work experience with pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, which proved invaluable when applying for a position with DuluxGroup.  

Prior to starting with DuluxGroup, I spent a month in the United States and have set myself a goal to venture overseas annually since. This has been a critical tool I’ve used to ‘recharge the batteries’ as going from the laidback university lifestyle to full time work can be quite demanding – particularly on a psychological level.

Since commencing with DuluxGroup I’ve been fortunate enough to work across multiple departments and business units. I began my journey as a graduate in Corporate Finance, rotating through the various finance departments that service the business units of DuluxGroup. Since then, I have held the position of finance analyst for the Protective Coatings business to more recently the Cabot’s business, where I’ve been continually challenged and exposed to development opportunities along the way.

The words ‘growth’ and ‘development’ are used frequently in DuluxGroup, and for good reason. Whilst the business continues to grow and expand it’s footprint, so too does the investment in employee development, helping equip us employees with the tools we need in order to succeed.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach in finance. Whilst the overarching characteristics of embracing change, being results focussed and hard work apply to all in our team, background is of little importance. Whilst DuluxGroup employees are diverse in backgrounds and skill sets alike, a defining feature of our success is a strong sense of culture – this is a non-negotiable.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

Unlike most accountants in a similar stage of their career to myself, I’m constantly encouraged by my line manager to take time AWAY from the office. Whether it be spending a day with a sales rep, visiting our manufacturing plant or touring the R&D facility to experience how our products are made, I’m constantly encouraged to experience the business from it’s coal face and learn what makes the business tick. This helps build on my knowledge to excel in my every day role.

What are the limitations of your job?

Working as a financial analyst, often there are times of the year that require a high volume of work within a short time period of time (year-end, budgets, strategy, etc.). This can lead to working some extra hours to ensure everything is completed on time. Whilst this can lead to some heightened stress levels throughout these time periods, often when my workload returns to normality my line manager will take an active role in regaining work/life balance.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...\

Continually challenge the status quo – Regardless of what stage of your career you’re in, it’s important to constantly look at innovative ways to work and add value.

Don’t waste your energy focussing on that job you missed out on or subject you underperformed in. Instead, learn from it and redirect your focus to more productive, value-add activities.

Life can be pretty unpredictable at times – Open yourself up to embrace the unknown and get comfortable with the uncomfortable!

Little things make a large difference in this role, e.g. making a visit to a customer and gaining some insight on their use of competitor products while also supporting their needs and listening to them.

What's your job about?

My Employer is One of Australia’s Largest Paint Manufacturers called Dulux and my responsibilities include looking after a geographical territory of Trade Painters and actively searching for more business via home builder partnerships. 

My Daily tasks include making in depth conversations with Trade Painters to gather information about their business to benefit them with products and services. The typical day of mine would include visiting worksites (newly built homes) where my painters are working, from there I would discuss their business with them and I would actively look for opportunities to sell them a product or service. Another task that I would undertake would be to search for builders’ boards on Housing temporary fencing and making phone calls to the builder to see if that have an alignment with a homebuilder, if they do not, I talk to them about how we can support their business going forward. 

A Teenager would understand my job role; however, it would be exciting for them to understand just how I plan my days out and how I operate myself daily!

What's your background?

I grew up in the South East Suburbs of Melbourne in a Suburb called Berwick. I went to a Primary School called Brentwood Park and from their I completed my secondary education at Hillcrest Christian College. I learnt a great deal in Secondary school as it taught me how to be diligent, organised and self-motivated. During my time at school I travelled to Phuket, Thailand and East Timor. Post-Secondary School I decided to spend some time travelling and I paused my University degree. I travelled around Europe on my own and spent valuable time with family in the UK. After my Gap year I decided to get stuck into University and I started my three-year course in Communications (Public Relations). During those three years I also did some more travelling where I visited Hong Kong and Macau, China. While I was studying at University I funded my overseas trips with my Part time job at Woolworths as a Produce Assistant. The travelling taught me how to motivate myself and how to deal with being out of my comfort zone which I believe assisted me in finishing my University Course. I applied for my job at Dulux via the website “Seek” and I was lucky to receive an Interview. A few weeks past and I was offered a Graduate Position at Dulux Trade and have been learning plenty since!

Could someone with a different background do your job?

I think my Job could be done by someone without my background, I had very limited sales experience and New Housing experience before I started my role. I believe a good work ethic and understanding of people will allow someone to go far in this job (Some knowledge about paint is helpful as well!).

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The biggest thing I love about my job is the constant communication I have with great people including my painters and colleagues! Little things make a large difference in this role, e.g. making a visit to a customer and gaining some insight on their use of competitor products while also supporting their needs and listening to them. My job is mobile which means I am a moving office and it can be exciting visiting clients/customers that I have not met before. 

What are the limitations of your job?

My Job has a major limitation which certain characters may find distressing/challenging. My role involves me spending lots of time in solitude. It can sometimes be quite lonely spending lots of time in a car on your own while you meet customers you have never met before. It can be quite initially a shock as many spend their work days alongside others for most of the day’s duration. With there is benefits to this fact being that you learn resilience and independency.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

If I were to go back into time and meet my “uni-self” I would have to tell him that he needs to explore the world more and travel as much as you can during your semester breaks and Summer breaks. The other piece of advice I would’ve given myself is that I should not limit myself when it comes to learning something new. I had multiple opportunities to take on side courses etc. and I did not take those opportunities.