Nicole Tewierik

Branch Manager - Australia
Progen Biosciences
Global Science and Technology Ltd

Bachelor of Applied Science

"We supply chemicals and products to aid research in biotechnology."

The challenges in my role as branch manager are many and varied. Covering the logistics of the business, importing, regulatory affairs, dispatch of products and managing customer service team.

I started in a position as Technical Support Specialist and Marketing Coordinator and I was then promoted to the supervisor of the area. My role involved supervision of four staff who provide service to our customers who are researchers and staff from universities, hospitals, research institutes and biotechnology companies Australia-wide.  We supply chemicals and products to aid research in biotechnology covering the genomic, proteomic, cytogenetic, cell culture, protein chemistry, immunology and molecular biology areas. I purchased our products from the manufacturers overseas and handled all the regulatory affairs involved in the import of these sometimes high-risk biologicals.  I managed the inventory to ensure we meet customer demand and I am responsible for resolution of customer complaints.  The marketing side included the preparation of marketing fliers and coordination and the running of our quarterly marketing plans. 

It is heaps of fun and I love my job. The variety of tasks I do keeps my days interesting.
My degree is absolutely necessary to be able to discuss and trouble shoot product with customers, as I need to be able to understand a wide range of applications in an ever-changing industry. 

In my course focused on the biological sciences and labs were very involved and we were all able to try different things. An advantage was the world-renowned reputation of Monash and the interesting and varied content of the course. Studying at Monash Gippsland was fabulous I really enjoyed the smaller classes and getting to know our lecturers.