5 minute read
FACE TIME: ANGELA WARNER
THE ROAD LESS TAKEN
While Angela Warner, National Account Manager at Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, may not have taken the conventional path, it has landed her exactly where she wants to be. This is her story…
I WAS BORN in Perth, WA, the youngest of three kids. I’ve got an older sister, Beck, and a brother, David (deceased). We were raised by my parents, Alan and Gaye. Through Dad’s work, we moved around a bit, first to New South Wales, and then eventually settling near Warrandyte in Victoria. It was a great spot for a kid – close to nature and full of character.
I was a pretty typical teenager. I loved maths and science, but I’d pretend I didn’t of course. In summer, my mates and I would sometimes wag school and head down to the Yarra River for a swim. On weekends, I’d always be with friends, hanging out and doing what teenagers do.
One of the most memorable chapters of my life came at 16, when I went on exchange to Bangkok, Thailand. It was right in the middle of the Bangkok riots, which was pretty intense stuff for someone so young. At one point, I was nearly kidnapped and even ended up in hospital. Australian doctors suspected I might’ve been targeted for organ harvesting. It was wild, but also eye-opening, and gave me a whole new perspective on life.
After I got back from Thailand, I moved out of home pretty quickly. I found a place through a newspaper ad for shared accommodation and ended up living with a bunch of strangers. I started working at Doncaster Shopping Town as a retail assistant in a gift shop. At the same time, I enrolled in night school to complete my HSC.
I may not be tertiary educated, but I’ve always had a strong work ethic and a curious mind. I genuinely believe everyone has something to teach you, and I’ve never been afraid to learn from those around me.
I’m proud of what I’ve been able to make of my career, from humble beginnings in retail, all the way to managing multi-million-dollar accounts in the engine oil world, and now with Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.
Career-wise, I’m currently the National Account Manager – On the Go – at Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. I look after a pretty exciting mix of customers including petrol & convenience (P&C), airlines and airport retail, rail, cruise and mining. It keeps me on my toes, but I love it.
Over the years, I’ve had a few different roles that led me here; Buyer, Category Manager, Data Analyst, Seller. I feel like this role has brought together two of the things I enjoy most in business: building strong customer relationships and diving into the numbers (I’m a self-confessed data nerd).
Most of the roles I’ve had over the years have come about because I was poached. Once people saw how I worked and the relationships I built, opportunities tended to find me. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to make of my career, from humble beginnings in retail, all the way to managing multi-million-dollar accounts in the engine oil world, and now with Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. When I applied for my current role, the recruiter told me I was a “wild card” who read and presented well.
When I look back at my career highlights, it’s the sense of achievement that stands out. Thinking I can do something, putting my mind to it, doing the work, and just getting it done. It’s a great feeling when that all comes together.
Outside of work, life is nice. I’ve been with Matt for 29 years now and we’ve built a great life together. We’ve got two daughters, Katie, who’s 24, and Jess, who’s 23. Jess is the assistant restaurant manager at Grill’d, and she and her partner Caleb live in a fully self-contained flat under our place. Katie’s living in Shepparton this year while she finishes her second degree. She’ll be a doctor by the end of the year, which I’m incredibly proud of.
And of course, we’ve got our fur babies. Dot, our Scottish Short Hair cat, she’s 18 now and still going strong. Then there’s the boys, Morgan and Wally, our two Aussie Bull Arabs.
I’m also a bit of a Bali convert. I absolutely love the slower pace, the warm weather, and the beautiful people. There’s nothing better than sitting on Legian Beach with my family and friends, sipping a Bintang while watching the sun set.
As for where I’d like to be in five years? It might sound a bit clichéd, but honestly – I just want to be happy and healthy, with happy and healthy kids. If I had to give any advice to retailers and suppliers, it would be this: find the middle ground. It’s always there if you’re willing to look for it. The best outcomes come when you truly work together. One half of the team can’t dictate all the terms, it has to be a partnership that benefits both sides. And keep in mind, not all businesses operate the same way. That’s okay. Know your data, trust it, and let it guide your decisions. Data doesn’t lie.
