From aspiring mad scientist to IT leader, Andre now channels his diverse career experience to drive innovation and efficiency for New Zealand’s farmers and growers at Farmlands.

What did you want to do career-wise when you left school?  

I wanted to be a (mad) scientist working on eradicating diseases and making the world a better place.

Tell us about your career to date.

I had an exciting career supported by leaders that really cared and they helped me become self aware and a leader in my own right. As part of my early career, I got to be the mad scientist and worked on various genetic engineering projects that delivered real value. I accidentally stumbled into IT and liked it so much that I stayed and worked in multiple industries in IT operations, applications and strategy. I am well versed in Banking, Retail, Insurance, Mining and Manufacturing. I know enough to be dangerous and I am grounded in freedom and our ability to fearlessly innovate. I do not believe in impossible, only in degrees of complexity, and that allows me to get things done. I love what I do.

What led you to Farmlands? 

Farmlands happened to me at a time that I needed change - talk about the universe being in perfect sync. I was drawn to the co-op's purpose, mission and values and how they show up for shareholders. I grew up farming dairy, beef, tobacco, maize and citrus in a rural community where the co-op was at the center of everything we did. It was key in providing inputs for the farm and ensuring produce reached consumers. I saw an opportunity to apply my experience, knowledge and skills to create efficiency and drive innovation, that in turns shows up for our farmers and growers. I am all in.

How have you grown in your time with us at Farmlands? 

I've learned to better understand different work styles and communication preferences, helping me work more effectively with diverse teammates. I celebrate others' successes and help them learn from setbacks. This enables me to be better at finding creative solutions when faced with new challenges.

What do you most enjoy at Farmlands? 

I am really proud of the team that I am leading and their growth. They have become a force to be reckoned with. They make decisions, wrong or right, learn and then produce the outcomes. They are all amazing humans that bring their best to the game. We have done so much and we are connected to every team in Farmlands, as we all work towards a common goal. All in to improve productivity and profitability for NZ farmers and growers.

What would your advice be for someone who's interested in a career in your area at Farmlands? 

Keep an open mind. You will be entering a world that is centred around people that are connected to the land. This world is constantly changing as multiple variables change at once, and you will need to be comfortable with not having all the answers. The great thing is that you are never alone when you are part of a team that want to do their best. Use that advantage, connect and build on it.

Interested in what we offer in the Innovation and Digital space?

Check out our I & D page for more details.

Interested in working with Andre in our Innovation and Digital team?

Connect with us on our careers site or check out our current vacancies.