The ingredients of success

April 2009

Some might think it unusual to progress from chemical engineer to become the business manager of a major food ingredients enterprise. Not David Box (BE 1987); this outcome was always in his sights.

“In high school I had an interest in maths and science, but also a broad interest in many subjects including languages,” said Mr Box

“Because I was a generalist, my father said ‘if you want to become a manager, then do engineering, because that’s a good way to the top’.”

His career began with a production engineering position with the unit of ICI that manufactured many types of resin. Mr Box has since worked in the UK, Venezuela and Chile, picking up Spanish along the way. Today, he is the business manager of Bronson & Jacobs, a division of Orica. In 1997 ICI Australia became Orica, now one of Australia’s top 50 companies.

Bronson & Jacobs supplies raw materials and ingredients to the food and nutrition markets, as well as the health and personal care industries.

“[Within the food division] for example, we import and distribute various forms of cocoa, representing the world’s largest cocoa manufacturer. We also have a small flavours business.”

In the health and personal care side of the business, Bronson & Jacobs distribute raw materials including fragrances, medicinal herbs and the active ingredients that are used in cosmetics and toiletries.

Aspects of Mr Box’s work are strategic and focus on core organisational activities. Other responsibilities include managing business measures such as profit, trade working capital and cash flow.

“On a day-to-day basis I might be looking at critical commercial deals, or managing aspects of our marketing strategy. I could be driving metrics such as cash flow. Then I could just as well be looking at product stewardship, which includes the plans and structures we have in place to ensure we understand, from cradle to grave, what happens with the products we source,” he said.

“As part of Orica we also take the health and safety of our employees very seriously, but above all other aspects of my role, the one I enjoy the most is the development and leadership of my seven direct reports.”

With $220 million in annual revenue and 220 staff, Bronson & Jacobs operates in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South America.