Passionate about sustainable procurement – meet the Port’s, Angela Jones
Port of Brisbane’s Procurement Manager, Angela Jones, is known for her energy and enthusiasm, her can-do attitude and commitment to going above and beyond to assist and empower the team around her, making everyone feel welcomed and valued.
Not only does Ange champion the Port’s procurement function, she is also leading a number of other business-wide initiatives and projects to help achieve our ambitious sustainability targets.
Ange’s impact both within procurement, but also more broadly across the business has seen her recently be promoted, taking on a new role as a Manager, working alongside the Procurement team’s latest recruit, Louie Buchan.
Working with the business to transform the procurement process
Since joining the Port of Brisbane two and a half years ago, Ange has led the transformation of the Port’s procurement processes, bringing the wider business on the journey.
“Procurement is essentially the life cycle of a business purchasing the goods and services it needs to operate. When I started, it was more of a transactional focus; it's now evolved into a more strategic function,” said Ange.
“My key areas of focus include improving and maturing procurement processes as well as ensuring we progress our ambitious sustainability commitments as well as broader regulatory compliance requirements.
“One of the Port’s 2030 Sustainability Goals is to align to internationally recognised ISO standards for sustainable procurement. We’re in an exciting phase right now where we are identifying our road map to achieve that alignment by 2030; it’s a great space to be working in.”
From Procurement Advisor to Manager – setting her team up for success
Stepping into her role as Manager, it was important to Ange that her positive experience joining the Port was replicated with Louie, the Port’s new Procurement Officer.
“Everyone in the Finance team – but more broadly across the business – were really welcoming but also really passionate about what they do day-to-day, which I found motivating when I joined,” said Ange.
“Working in a corporate function, I recognized it was important for Louie to get exposure and an understanding of the different parts of the business, and to meet all the great people that work here and help him to build those relationships.”
“I’m loving my role as manager, it’s really rewarding and I get the opportunity to not only lead a team and mentor Louie in his own career development, but I also have the ability to create a procurement function that delivers value to the business.”
Louie appreciated Ange’s encouragement to get out across the different departments.
"Ange and the whole team made me feel welcomed from day one. Ange hasn’t just taught me the technical aspects of the job, but she’s really encouraged me to make the role my own and build relationships across the business,” said Louie.
“When I started, Ange encouraged me to sign up for the Coffee Club as another means of meeting people. It’s a great initiative helping build team culture and as a newbie I’ve loved it. The Port also has a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing with a range of programs available to the team, which is great to see and make the most of.”
Going above and beyond
Like everyone at the Port, Ange’s plate is full of diverse work and a core focus for her is supporting on a number of company-wide projects which she is particularly passionate about including being a member of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group and driving the PBPL’s Modern Slavery work.
“I’m really passionate about supporting the RAP working group on how we can improve supplier diversity, which in turn, improves social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Ange.
“Modern Slavery is so important to the whole business, how we demonstrate Port of Brisbane’s zero tolerance for any form of modern slavery or human trafficking in its operations and supply chains.”
“I’m really grateful I get the opportunity to work for an organisation that genuinely cares and gives it people the opportunity to make a difference.”