James Kolien

After relocating to the Sunshine Coast, I have started as a Sales Consultant in the Solar industry for Solahart. My role involves in-home and onsite solar consultations, generating new sales opportunities and managing client relationships.

In May 2021-Nov 2021 I was an Area Manager at AsureQuality covering the top of the North Island, which involved overseeing 8 meat sites from Northland to the King Country, with 6 direct reports. In this role I was responsible for over 95 staff and to ensure that we are meeting customer needs by providing an essential service within the Meat Industry. I am now an Area Manager in the South Island, covering the Canterbury/West Coast region with 7 Meat Plants and responsible for close to 50 staff.

My role at AsureQuality revolves around food inspection and certification services, specifically within the Livestock and Meat sectors. As an example, AsureQuality provides inspection services at all Meat plants in New Zealand to ensure that the meat is able to be safely consumed domestically and internationally. The Trainee Manager role has developed my knowledge of the Livestock and Meat industry in New Zealand as well as developing skills in areas such as management, leadership, people skills, report writing and time management.

I worked part time as a Farm Hand on a sheep and deer farm in Lincoln Canterbury after graduating University. This involved fencing, feeding out, gardening, using a chain saw and painting. I also worked as a Landscaper labourer for the same employer during this period.

I worked over the summer periods from 2014-2020 as a Regional Surf Lifeguard which involved patrolling beaches across Canterbury to ensure that the public were safe.

In my final year of study I demonstrated part time for first year Chemistry students in their laboratory classes.