Grant Wisnewski
New Plymouth,Taranaki
Summary
Committed Sales Orientated Manager with a personal goal of achieving greater than 50% market share in the market that I operate in. I'm focused on improving margins, cost-reduction and operational improvements. I understand the balance of reducing costs without impacting quality of products and services. I also recognise the importance of building high-performing empowered teams to ensure the business has regular talent progressing through the business.
I have been a key member of the Waikato Milking Systems Executive team for the last 5 years
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
GM Sales and Operations APAC
Waikato Milking Systems
04.2019 - Current
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading sales/operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning. This business growth in the NZ market under my leadership has seen the company record its highest EBITDA margin
- Established positive and effective communication among team and organization , allowing the staff to take ownership of key business decisions
- Key member of the Executive team who managed the North American market (2022-23)to take it from a large loss making position, into a profitable business unit within a 18 month period.
- Provided Executive leadership to identify opportunities for improvement, establish milestones, and tailor products to individual markets.
- Trained, coached and mentored staff to support smooth adoption of new management practices, to ensure business strategies implemented
International Sales Manager
Waikato Milking Systems
08.2013 - 04.2019
- Rationalised business which was trading through distributors, to dealing direct with new dealer network in key markets
- Developed relationships with new dealers in Key markets of Australia, UK, Ireland and China, Russia.
- Developed the system business in North America where traditionally WMS had been component only suppliers.
- Forged and maintained relationship to secure one of the largest farmers in NAM, as a key customer of WMS
- Worked closely with R&D to ensure our systems were suitable for 24 hour farming seen in NAM.
- Employed own sales team in key markets
- Increased margins by over 15% in these key markets by removing distributors
- Increased turnover in all key markets by over 50% within 18 months.
Business Devlopment Manager
Milfos International
03.2005 - 08.2013
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Liaised with external stakeholders to form strategic partnerships with prospective clients.
- Collaborated with sales, marketing and other internal teams to meet shared goals.
- Formulated well-defined action plan to prioritize potential clients and achieve and exceed objectives.
- Explored and developed new markets for the business. This included the UK, Ireland, Australia and China. Expansion was achieved by building dealer networks in each of these markets from the ground up.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees then implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Career History prior to 2005 can be provided if needed
Education
Diploma in Ag Engineering - Agricultural Enginering
Massey University
Palmerston North, NZ11.1996
Skills
- Relationship building
- Empowering staff
- Understanding cultural sensitivities for different global markets
- Strategic planning for profitable business growth
- Taking projects through to completion quickly and efficiently
Accomplishments
- In 2016, under my leadership, WMS won the NZ Exporter of the year Supreme award. This was due to the hard work of my team.
- Securing one of North Americas largest dairy farmers as a key WMS customer
- Securing one of the largest Processing companies in SE Asia as a key customer.
- Leading the NZ sales team to a 65%+ market share (for new systems) in 22/23, contributing to a record EBITDA margin.
- Lead the NAM business from a large loss making position into a positive EBITDA position within 18 months.
- With little knowledge of the Chemical business at the time, we grew this to the most profitable part of the NAM business, in this 18 month period.
Timeline
GM Sales and Operations APAC
Waikato Milking Systems
04.2019 - Current
International Sales Manager
Waikato Milking Systems
08.2013 - 04.2019
Business Devlopment Manager
Milfos International
03.2005 - 08.2013
Diploma in Ag Engineering - Agricultural Enginering
Massey University
Similar Profiles
Donne WusthoffDonne Wusthoff
Executive Assistant to the Managing Director at Waikato Milking Systems South AfricaExecutive Assistant to the Managing Director at Waikato Milking Systems South Africa
Neil BrownNeil Brown
Warehouse Technician at Waikato Milking SystemsWarehouse Technician at Waikato Milking Systems
Misipalauni MataoaMisipalauni Mataoa
Stainless Division Foreman at Waikato Milking SystemsStainless Division Foreman at Waikato Milking Systems