September 2020
Salim Zadeh
Name: Salim Zadeh
Position: Structural Field Engineer – Sales QLD
Location: Beenleigh QLD
How long have you been with Knauf?
I joined the Knauf team in Jun 2018.
What does your job entail?
My job is quite varied. Firstly, I educate key influencers (architects, engineers and specifiers) about the proper use, advantages and value of Knauf products and systems, with a view to securing their specification in designs. This involves education in designing with pre-engineered tables, off-line calculators and on-line wizards.
Then I regularly visit job sites to assess design challenges and opportunities, to provide technical advice, solutions and support and to add value through Knauf engineering and design.
I carry out performance-based system design with Knauf’s range of framing, sheathing and insulation products and systems and I collaborate with the State Commercial Manager to translate specifications and designs into sales.
I also support the introduction of new products and systems through training and promotion of the customer base and look into new business prospects by addressing customer needs for product and system development.
What do you enjoy about your job?
My job is really rewarding. I spend my days talking to clients in meetings, via emails, and during site visits. Much of my time also goes into drawing (in pencil or on a computer), thinking and calculating. I meet hundreds of people in my job, and I work collaboratively with them to make a success of their project.
What do you do when you are not working?
Nowadays I enjoy spending time with my baby boy, Soren. But I make a point of spending a fair amount of time in the gym. Besides that I play table tennis with my friends every Tuesday.
August 2020
Name: Pourya Pazandeh
Position: Structural Field Engineer – Sales VIC/TAS
Location: Altona VIC
How long have you been with Knauf?
I joined Knauf in September 2018, so it’s coming up two years.
What does your job entail?
I deal with stakeholders, including architects; builders; sub-contractors and distributors, involved in construction projects in Victoria and Tasmania. I provide technical support, framing design, system specification, value engineering and carrying out site inspection. As a member of VIC/TAS sales team, I am also involved in sales forecasting and finding new opportunities to boost sales.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I enjoy interacting with people from various backgrounds every day, and it is very rewarding when I can help to make things easier. I appreciate the challenges and dynamic environment of the role.
What do you do when you are not working?
Pre-COVID I had more time for leisure activities! I used to play soccer every week, and I enjoy hiking, cycling, hitting the gym, and having a BBQ and drinks with friends over weekends.
With the current COVID-19 restrictions, I spend most of my free time reading finance books and articles, playing video games, playing Monopoly – and always losing when I play Battleship with my partner (I’m serious, I lose every time!).
June
Name: Jessica Joy
Position: Production Planner
Location: Altona
How long have you been with Knauf?
Since September 2011, coming up to 10 years!
What does your job entail?
There are many facets to the planning role but the largest and most critical part of my job is creating and maintaining the production schedules each week for all 3 manufacturing plants to ensure we have the right product available to service our customers.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I love the fast paced environment. There is never a dull moment and there are challenges weekly which keep me on my toes. It is an interesting and ever-changing role which keeps me motivated!
What do you do when you are not working?
If I’m not playing footy or at the beach I’m down the pub with my mates, at the gym or doing something outdoors like hiking or rollerblading. I’ve just recently purchased my first home so the next few months will be focused on furniture shopping and trying my hand at some small renovations!
May
Name: Daniela Carloni
Position: Product Marketing Manager
Location: Beenleigh, Qld
How long have you been with Knauf?
I have been with Knauf for seven years. I started out as Marketing Assistant with the Marketing Team and I have recently been promoted to Product Marketing Manager, still within the Marketing Team.
What does your job entail?
My job is quite varied – which I love! I help to develop effective marketing strategies and communication plans to promote the features and benefits of new and existing products and services to customers. I communicate the vision and value of new products and campaigns to the sales team and help to develop sales tools that facilitate the selling process.
My duties also include managing timelines and deadlines for the development of new products with various teams (Executive Team, Engineering, Sales, Customer Service, Planning, Finance and Manufacturing Departments).
And I work closely with the rest of the marketing team to develop and implement a marketing campaign to promote our products, services and solutions in ways that will strengthen our brand and boost sales.
What do you enjoy about your job?
There are two things that I love most about my job: Developing marketing campaigns in a creative way to deliver Knauf solutions to customers, and collaborating with multiple teams across the business to achieve the best results.
What do you do when you are not working?
I enjoy spending time with my two year old daughter. I’m an outdoorsy person and I always try to involve my daughter in activities that connect us with nature. And when I have spare time, only for myself, I love reading a nice article or an interesting book.
April
Name: Navami Sunil
Position: Architectural Specification Manager NSW/ACT
Location: Matraville (Sydney)
How long have you been with Knauf?
Almost 3 years. I joined Knauf as a graduate in Technical Services and then moved to the Sales team.
What does your job entail?
Liaising with architects, designers and builders to ensure we always deliver value-engineered solutions for their projects. A typical day would include meetings with architects, project meetings with contractors, CPD presentations or working on a Knauf Specification proposal for a project.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I learn something new almost every day, I believe in our products and I love the people I work with!
What do you do when you are not working?
Working out so that I can eat more! (Wow, I cannot believe I said that out loud…)
We’ve heard that you are a volunteer in a program to assist healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Can you tell us more about it?
I have been assisting a group on Facebook that helps people to “adopt” healthcare workers in their community. Amidst this crisis, it is so heartwarming to see that there are so many good people out there, who are willing to help frontline workers at the drop of a hat.
March
Our workforce is made up of a diverse mix of talented people working together to attain a shared goal. This month we introduce Mark Hutchison, the State Sales Manager WA.
Name: Mark Hutchison
Position: State Sales Manager WA
Location: Welshpool WA
How long have you been with Knauf?
Two and a half years as an employee in my current position and 4 years as an employee (BDM) of an independent Knauf distributor.
What does your job entail?
I run the sales for what I believe to be the smallest operation in the world’s largest plasterboard operation. As the sole person in the WA sales team, my job is quite varied and includes being responsible for the WA sales budget, forecasting, servicing our distributors, providing technical support on Knauf products and systems to the WA construction market, performing CPD presentations, site inspections and anything else that is required. I also work closely with the Warehouse Manager in WA regarding stock holdings and requirements.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I enjoy the variety and autonomy.
What do you do when you are not working?
I enjoy spending time with my teenage son, the WA beach lifestyle and I am a motorcycling enthusiast with two motorcycles. I usually spend my annual leave doing motorcycling adventure touring both within Australia and overseas.
February
Name: Molyvan Lim
Position: I am the Specifications Manager and Structural Engineer in SA/NT.
Location: Edinburgh SA
What does your job entail?
My role is to provide technical support to architects, builders and contractors in every stages of the project in regard to the specifications and engineering of the partition system and ensure Knauf’s specification of material are maximised.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Helping people when they run into problems in their projects is what I enjoy most. I also enjoy meeting and talking with new people from day to day.
What do you do when you are not working?
I like to go hiking when I am not at work. Walking through nature and breathing clean air help me to relax from the busy daily routine.