Introducing Chemistry Australia’s emerging leaders

Last year, we established the Emerging Leaders Advisory Council (ELAC) to support the professional development of our industry’s #futureleaders and advise the Chemistry Australia Board on future strategic opportunities for the growth and sustainability of our industry.?

18 people were selected to be part of the first ELAC and we are profiling each of our emerging leaders and their professional experience to celebrate the wealth of talent within our industry.

This fortnight, we’re featuring ELAC member Matthew Slatyer , National Sales Manager, Pacific Urethanes.

Like many, Matthew Slatyer wears two important hats (at least) - striving to be a great boss and a great dad throwing himself into the active world of surfing, skating and mountain biking with his two boys.

Matthew has been a part of the Chemicals industry since 1998 and has developed a strong passion for the industry.

Largely this is due to the opportunities Matthew has seen created or been a part of creating. The variety of applications, industries and people that he has been exposed to has provided regular and exciting developments and sense of achievement that continues to this day.

What are you most passionate about in your working life?

Ability to effect change in a positive and constructive way has allowed me to build my career from a customer service base through to state management and now ANZ Sales Management. Being tasked with strategic direction, requiring adaptability and ability to gain strong buy in and trust from multiple stakeholders is a position I have relished. Success in change and ultimately seeing strategic decisions pay dividends to not only myself, but the team and the business is my passion.

I am a results orientated, and experienced Sales and Marketing professional who has successfully been able to deliver sales platforms with strong revenue and penetration growth with both new and mature businesses across multiple product and customer segments.

My career has been focused primarily in minerals and resources, building and construction and the manufacturing industry within a range of Australian, American and Asian companies. Business acumen has been gained from experience across many business disciplines including sales, quality management, purchasing and stock management, information technology, and research and development practices. Management skills gained from managing not only the sales team but also the technical and production teams has allowed for a rounded thought and management style.

What do you believe are the most important qualities of an emerging leader in your industry?

I believe the most important qualities of an emerging leader is one who can foresee impacts and create pathways that either minimise risk and capitalises on opportunities.

What do you want to be known for??

I would like to be know as a thought leader, a great boss and someone who is respected for their opinions and advice.

What problem would you most like to find a solution to in your industry?

The solution I feel the chemicals industry could benefit from changing is how reliant we are on imports. I would like to be involved in the opportunities recycling initiatives can make not only from life cycle point of view but also how recycling initiatives can turn materials in to raw materials for the chemicals industry and therefore reduce reliance on imports.

What do you do when you’re not working?

Motivation with everything I do is my two boys, William (12) and Isaac (10) – they are my world and whether I am surfing with them, skating, mountain biking or just mucking around, I love this.