Chief Operating Officer: Samvardhana Motherson Global (FZE)
Global Strategic Procurement: Samvardhana Motherson Group
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Brett Dienhoff is currently the Executive Vice President of Global Sourcing for SMR Automotive Systems, part of the Samvardhana Motherson Group, a Global tier 1 supplier to the Automotive industry.
Brett’s role is responsible for leadership of the Global Purchasing Organisation and management of teams located throughout the globe including South East Asia, China, Europe and throughout North and South America. The team manages an extensive global supplier network ranging from raw commodities through to high technology companies, covering all elements the supply chain.
Brett is also heavily involved in business improvement activities including the establishment and execution, and improvement of Global Processes and Procedures, including automation. Brett is also a member of the Companies Global Executive Team which defines the company strategies, business planning, and execution of projects to achieve the overall business objectives.
Beginning his career in Adelaide, Brett relocated to the USA in 2004, where he remained for 10 years. During this time he gained experience with dealing throughout almost all Automotive Manufacturing regions across Europe, China, Korea, India, Brazil, Mexico and Thailand.
Adjunct Professor: UniSA
Council Member: Australian and New Zealand Regional Science Association International Inc.
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Tony has over 30 years experience as an economics and strategy consultant for clients in industry, regions, and governments across Australia and overseas. His qualifications in civil engineering, business, and economics (PhD Alberta) have provided for a breadth of expertise in such fields as strategic planning, cost benefit analyses on large scale infrastructure projects, and policy development in urban planning, to name just a few areas.
Furthermore, Tony assignments in the Philippines (coal conversion), Papua New Guinea (urban water supply and coastal shipping), New Zealand (on fuel rationing and electricity pricing under commercialisation), the Sudan (bus system planning) and Kenya (coal conversion), have given an earthy knowledge of business practices in diverse cultures and locations.
Tony has been able to continue his academic pursuits, and publication of numerous papers, through his current position as an Adjunct Research Fellow at UniSA Business – and this role further equips Tony to poignantly connect University staff, students and fellow executive partners in management discussions and projects.
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Peter has a wide ranging, international/multi-cultural business background, having lived and worked in 6 different countries and travelled on business to 27.
In his career in the corporate world of machinery manufacturing (plastics processing, printing and materials handling), Peter held roles in marketing, sales and channel management. His geographic focus was primarily Asia, but also Southern/Eastern Africa/Middle East. During this time, he worked from bases in UK, Germany, Switzerland and Hong Kong. In Germany, he learnt a lot about why German companies operate so efficiently.
Peter emigrated to NZ in 2001 and set up his own company supplying language translation services to NZ, Australian and Asian exporting companies. This ISO9001 registered company was two times in the NZ wide Deloite Fast 50 listing. The business was eventually sold in 2011 which provided a great insight into the factors which add value to a company.
Since 2011, he has been leading a more relaxed life and was on the Board of several NFP organisations, experimented with a small online retail business and undertook mentoring of small (micro) businesses.
After a year of travelling the world, he relocated to Adelaide with his wife Michaela in December 2017.
He is currently providing mentoring to the owner/manager of a local construction
Chris Schutze
Management Consultant: Chris Schutze Consulting Services
Areas of specialisation:
Chris is currently providing consulting services to start up companies entering international markets as well as training services to the building industry.
Chris has over 30 years experience as a technical, operations and general manager. Originally starting life as a Manufacturing Engineer for General Motors and Philips he then spent fifteen years establishing and running manufacturing and sales operations throughout Southern and Eastern Asia.
For the last 12 years Chris has been working back in Adelaide in both manufacturing and construction, most recently as General Manager for Scott Salisbury Homes. For four of those years he was a council member of the Master Builders Association of South Australia, and more recently Chair of the Housing Committee.