Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Lee McKenzie

Lee McKenzie

Rotorua,New Zealand

Summary

After years in compliance, tech, and farming roles, I’m looking to pivot into a position that finally makes full use of what I’m best at — building trust with practical people, solving real-world problems, and helping others get value from smart tools. I’ve run my own business selling and supporting drone tech, developed AI systems to make regulatory work easier, and worked hands-on in dairy farming. I know how to relate to farmers, especially those wary of change, and I thrive when I’m out in the field, learning fast and making things happen. I’m now looking to apply that mix of hands-on experience, technical know-how, and relationship skills in a role where I can directly support customers and help shape how technology transforms the industry.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Building Compliance Specialist

C3BC
04.2021 - Current
  • Designed internal training systems to help team members confidently apply complex rules in practical scenarios, improving accuracy and consistency
  • Identified gaps and inefficiencies in workflows and developed scalable solutions to reduce risk and improve operational outcomes
  • Kept teams up to date with changing requirements and best practices through continuous research and knowledge-sharing
  • Acted as a key link between field insights and system improvements, helping shape better tools and processes
  • Developed an AI-powered chatbot that automated complex rule lookups, cutting down manual work by 40 percent and improving accuracy for front-line staff

Building Consent Assessor

Rotorua Lakes Council
07.2018 - 04.2022
  • Reviewed and assessed detailed project applications to ensure they met complex requirements, balancing practical outcomes with regulatory standards
  • Acted as an early tester and feedback loop for the OneCouncil system, providing insights that helped improve usability and rollout success
  • Supported the digitisation of paper-based workflows during Covid, helping the team adapt quickly under pressure and improving efficiency
  • Identified gaps in systems and processes and led small-scale improvements that made day-to-day work faster and more reliable

Small Business Owner

Ace Company Drones
03.2015 - 07.2018
  • Built, sold, and supported custom drone systems, managing the full sales cycle from lead generation and product demonstration through to delivery and after-sales support
  • Consulted with customers to understand their needs, provided tailored product recommendations, and closed high-value sales
  • Educated farming clients on practical tech use cases, helping reduce hesitation and increase product adoption
  • Developed strong customer relationships built on trust, reliability, and hands-on support
  • Managed pricing, quotes, inventory, and ongoing customer communication

Youth Leader

Manaakitanga
01.2018 - 07.2018
  • Led the Tauira programme focused on introducing intermediate-aged students to technology and design concepts
  • Helped students build confidence in group environments by breaking down complex ideas into practical, relatable activities
  • Encouraged curiosity around future career pathways in tech and design through hands-on learning and mentoring
  • Gained experience in coaching, communication, and supporting people who are new to technology — a skillset directly transferable to working with farmers adopting new tools

Dairy Farming

Waimoa Ltd
03.2014 - 06.2017
  • Managed core farm operations including milking, pasture rotation, herd health, and seasonal planning
  • Introduced technology to a relatively traditional farm to improve decision-making around pasture, nutrients, and herd health
  • Set up systems to reduce reliance on "just knowing," empowering other staff to make informed decisions with confidence
  • Built strong working relationships through reliability and honesty, gaining a solid understanding of the challenges and mindset of hands-on farming
  • Experienced firsthand how practical tools and automation can reduce workload and improve consistency on-farm

Senior Draughtsperson

Lockwood Homes
03.2010 - 03.2014
  • Contributed to a cross-functional product development committee focused on improving processes, buildability, and product performance
  • Managed and updated the company’s technical detail manual, developing compliant and practical design solutions under the NZ Building Code
  • Built custom CAD tools to speed up workflow and improve consistency, reducing manual tasks and supporting team efficiency
  • Gained experience translating complex technical requirements into usable systems — a skill that supports both product feedback and field enablement

Dairy Farm Manager

Bannan Farms
06.2007 - 10.2009
  • Oversaw all aspects of farm operations including staff management, herd health, pasture planning, and daily workflow coordination
  • Introduced and pioneered the use of technology to manage nutrient application, pasture/feed rotation, and animal health records
  • Liaised regularly with the farm advisor to monitor performance and guide decisions on feed budgeting and seasonal strategy
  • Supported junior staff in learning key tasks and decision-making, building a confident and self-sufficient team
  • Gained firsthand insight into the challenges of high responsibility farming and saw the long-term value of tech solutions in improving outcomes and reducing stress

Junior Draughtsperson

Lockwood Homes
02.2005 - 06.2007

Education

New Zealand Diploma - Building Surveying: Level 6

Otago Polytechnic
11.2021

Certificate - Business Communication

Waiariki Polytechnic
11.2011

Skills

  • Sales & Customer Engagement – Consultative selling, product demonstrations, full sales cycle management, and trust-based rural client relationships
  • Farming & Rural Operations Insight – Firsthand dairy experience and deep understanding of farmer mindset, especially older generations who are cautious with change
  • Technology Integration – Built and supported custom drone systems; developed an AI compliance chatbot to automate complex regulatory research
  • Territory Management – Comfortable working independently in regional areas, managing multiple clients, and prioritising workload based on value and urgency
  • Communication & Trust Building – Skilled at breaking down technical concepts into plain language and building relationships through honesty and follow-through
  • Problem-Solving & Initiative – Proven track record of identifying inefficiencies and creating practical, scalable solutions
  • Adaptability & Self-Driven Learning – Thrive in evolving environments, pick up new tools quickly, and enjoy turning challenges into improvements

Timeline

Building Compliance Specialist

C3BC
04.2021 - Current

Building Consent Assessor

Rotorua Lakes Council
07.2018 - 04.2022

Youth Leader

Manaakitanga
01.2018 - 07.2018

Small Business Owner

Ace Company Drones
03.2015 - 07.2018

Dairy Farming

Waimoa Ltd
03.2014 - 06.2017

Senior Draughtsperson

Lockwood Homes
03.2010 - 03.2014

Dairy Farm Manager

Bannan Farms
06.2007 - 10.2009

Junior Draughtsperson

Lockwood Homes
02.2005 - 06.2007

New Zealand Diploma - Building Surveying: Level 6

Otago Polytechnic

Certificate - Business Communication

Waiariki Polytechnic
Lee McKenzie