Andrew Kitson Email & Phone Number

Christchurch, New Zealand

SolarCorp - The Next Generation.SolarCorp are the exclusive agents to a proprietary photovoltaic solar which is tailored to the residential and commercial customers. The scope of what we provide however is significantly larger with systems up to 100 megawatt in size.We are unashamedly proud of our products and what we can offer, while we sleep easy at night with the knowledge that our customers are feeding into the greater environmental good!

Christchurch, New Zealand

AstraNZ is a New Zealand trade and consultancy business with a primary focus on establishing New Zealand food and beverage companies into South East Asia, particularly Japan and China. AstraNZ has extensive experience in developing relationships with key players within the respective markets including those along the supply chain. Contact AstraNZ to see how we can grow your export business.In addition to market development, AstraNZ has also provide expertise to businesses (e.g. Synlait Milk Products) in achieving operational efficiency. The focus has been on increasing the OEE (Overall equipment effectiveness) by minimising all areas of waste.

WellKit Foods is a nutraceutical company with a corner stone brand “My Goodness!” My Goodness! is a non-dairy ice cream that is made solely out of fruit - the highly nutritious persimmon. The product (with help from the critiques) names itself, after every mouthful. “My Goodness! The best thing since ice cream”

Initially Assistant Manager at the Canning & Blending plant including managing 92 staff, implement IWS manufacturing, resulting in an 18% production increase, new production records, and increase gallop poll figures.Consequently my focus has moved into design and implementation of a new consumable packaging sachet/pouch/stick filling line. Once commissioned I will be overseeing the production.

Christchurch, New Zealand

▶ Implement product quality monitoring system from both production and logistics angles to increase the ability to accurately identify and address problems influencing customer confidence▶ Manage both existing and new key export accounts, demonstrating extra care to customer experience of the clients to increased number of orders through newly identified and clear communication channel▶ Implement company brand awareness programs in China and Japan in both FMCG and HoReCa markets to increase the level of branding use in customer contracts, while maintaining brand protection and brand integrity▶ Maintain long-term collaboration with suppliers in the supply chain and present recommendations to the management to ensure advancement in product quality and supply chain procedures▶ Attend to key accounts’ enquiries professionally; mitigate and solve conflict and misunderstandings acting as main representative of the company in communication and negotiationsAchievements:▶ Quickly grasped international customers’ needs and requirements and exceeded both customers’ and employer’s expectations in servicing and account management, achieving an increase of key account retention rate and record-breaking growth in new major account introduction criteria with approximate value of $2,800,000 pa.▶ Created and implemented Export Strategy focused on ASEAN countries, initiating export strategy planning in that market within the company, including precise resource planning into specific locations with specific targets that increased company KPIs and overall success

Christchurch, New Zealand

▶ Carried systems analysis and refinements to identify and solve weaknesses in tracking of internal compliance documentation and stock figures▶ Investigated area good case practices and theoretical concepts to aligning inventory management with internal systems of the organisation▶ Undertook compliance actions and developed strategies around the latter to achieve alignment between the factory and RMP and HACCP▶ Took responsibility for staff management, training, payroll and other HR-related activities for production team▶ Reconciled inventory, production and purchasing to clarify procedural responsibilities among respective teamsAchievements:▶ Instituted a stock taking system aligning inventory with internal systems and precisely showing which stock had passed QC/QA testing; was highly recognised by management for achieved clarity around actual stock figures on hand▶ Greatly increased staff orientation to RMP requirements and standards via developed compliance procedures and on-going tracking and support throughout implementation

Christchurch, New Zealand

▶ Spearheaded company set up, registration and staffing for the branch in New Zealand▶ Implemented marketing and sales (both B2B and B2C), establishing rocket high benchmark in lead generation through cross selling and relationship building with significantly important clients▶ Instigated operational systems and processes, manual documentation and SLAs, ensuring compatibility of the latter with the parent company▶ Leveraged and expanded knowledge on international trade requirements as well as additional resource sourcing opportunities, including public funding

Christchurch, New Zealand

▶ Established and implemented company vision focussing on dairy products into Japan with the best appropriation of resources to date▶ Acted as a main contact person with company key accounts for direct communication throughout the whole account management procedure▶ Undertook direct up-selling, cold and warm sales activities; ensured high level of customer service and satisfaction rates▶ Support the company in obtaining clear understanding and strategy in regard to East Asian Countries’ markets (Japan/Korea/China) ▶ Researched, analysed, developed and implemented market penetration and competitive marketing strategies in regard to cheese market in Japan▶ Incorporate better and world-class production techniques in the company’s main production plant in New Zealand▶ Executed export documentation, invoicing, product specifications, general administrative duties, simplifying the ordering and quoting procedures and increasing accuracy and sales margins through achieving tighter controls over orders to be distributedAchievements:▶ Proficiently established and managed business relationships with key client accounts in Japan and New Zealand, resulting in increased business through annual market visits and with the help of personally refined product lines▶ Increased company sales to Japan by 20% year-on-year through stronger relationship building and negotiations

Bachelor Of Landscape Architecture – Graduate Programme, Economics, Graduated With Honours

Bachelor Of Managment, Economics

During my economic studies I focused on going the extra step, which also included interviewing the then Minister of Finance, Ruth Richardson

Education record

Activities and Societies: Corfe House Prefect First Eleven Cricket First Fiftteen Rugby

Education record

Developed long terms relationships through both schooling and sports. Team sport was a major driver during my school years.