Ben Van Baalen

Senior Procurement Specialist

Pacific Paradise, Queensland, Australia

About

Procurement and Supply Chain leader with more than 10 years of experience delivering commercial and operational outcomes across FMCG, manufacturing, and mining environments. Broad expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier management, inventory control, warehousing, and logistics, with a strong track record of driving cost savings, improving service performance, and strengthening supply continuity. Recognized for building effective stakeholder relationships, influencing cross-functional teams, and leading practical, value-driven solutions that support business objectives and operational excellence.

Experience

  • MacKellar Group ()
    • Senior Procurement Specialist
      Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

    • Procurement Specialist
      Aug 2024 - Jan 2026 · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Purchasing Officer
      Aug 2024 - Aug 2024 · 1 mo

  • Purchasing Officer at ZONE RV
    Apr 2023 - Aug 2024 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Contributed to the P2P process within the team consisting of the following: - Ordering and expediting stock as required - Vendor management - Quoting and sourcing prototype parts and materials using abilities to read and understand custom part drawings if required. - Heavy focus in high volume custom metal fabricated parts - Provided substantial costs savings on both COG and sevices - Lead optimisation in systems and procedures with the team - Built strong and reliable relationships with vendors to ensure best outcomes where possible for the business - Reactive problem solving skills utilised regularly to ensure continuous supply to the production floor

  • Business Owner at VB Vending PTY LTD
    May 2022 - Mar 2024 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Purchased a small vending machine business as a side business while working full time. I managed all aspects including inventory, financials, asset management and CRM. grew the bussiness over a two year period and increased sales by 55%

  • Purchasing Manager at SunPork Group
    Feb 2018 - Dec 2022 · 4 yrs 11 mos

    Managed the below aspects: - Team of purchasing officers responsible for sourcing good and services, mainly dry goods, ingredients, chemicals, consumables across multiple sites and states - Site warehouse storeman and forklift staff - logistics related to goods incoming and outgoing - Multiple Chep accounts across 3 sites - Site services and waste management (general and recycling, oil, sanitary, bio hazard, rendering) - Vendor management - Successful cost saving projects - Process Improvement and development

  • Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory Pty Ltd ()
    • Purchasing Officer- Maintenance
      Mar 2017 - Feb 2018 · 1 yr

      purchasing officer for site based maintenance team contributing to the following: - P2P purchasing for parts and services domestic and import - Major capital rebuild purchasing goods and services for large value vendors - Assist in stores and receiving goods and issuing to work orders - Vendor selection and management

    • Factory Worker
      Feb 2010 - Mar 2017 · 7 yrs 2 mos

      Held multiple positions in the boning, value add, warehouse and site services area of the business. - Packer, knife hand and bandsaw operator - Value add crew supervisor - 2IC value add cook (large scale smoke and steam cooking) - Storeman (pick/pack, receive and dispatch,high reach forklift warehouse) - Forklift driver- load and unload trucks, site service, animal rendering and waste management. - Multiple types of training undertaken through the above positions (fire warden, chemical handling training, first aid, leadership)