Get To Know Our People - Paul Smallacombe

Meet our people and learn more about the faces behind Viva Energy.

15 May 2020
BY
  • Viva Energy Australia
Tim_Chau

 

  1. I’ve worked at Viva Energy since inception in 2014, previously with Shell since 2005.
  2. My first job at Viva Energy was as a Senior Technical Specialist in fuels and lubricants
  3. My current role is the Team Lead for our Product Support Engineering team.
  4. I help people reach their destination by helping customers run their operations more reliably and efficiently and through delivering value by working to reduce customers overall costs of operation.
  5. The best part of my job is working with customers across a wide range of industries and seeing tangible evidence around how we deliver value to customers.
  6. The biggest misconception people have about my role is when people hear technical support they think I can help fix their IT issues!
  7. I was led to this career by having an interest in helping people with complex technical problems.
  8. I prefer to start the day by processing my emails and to-do list using a variation of the “Getting Things Done” method.
  9. I prefer to end the day by planning for the day ahead.
  10. I am energised by my colleagues and customers and the relationships you develop with them.
  11. The one behavior I attribute my success to is being curious.
  12. The one thing that surprises me about working at Viva Energy is the amazing amount and breadth of knowledge and talent.
  13. The worst job I ever had was a holiday job sweeping floors in a factory, I learnt that hard work has its rewards and bosses like to see hard work and a good attitude/approach to even the most basic tasks, as that is evidence you will do similar with more complex jobs.
  14. The greatest career advice I was given was everyone is a salesperson, so work on improving your selling skills.
  15. The most important skill every person should have is the ability to build relationships.
  16. The one topic I wish I knew more about is chemistry. I studied Mechanical Engineering at University which covered some chemistry but would love to learn more.
  17. How do you see this role evolving over the next 5 years? I see the role evolving further in the future to increasingly focus on new technologies and energy efficiency.
Interested in a career with Viva Energy. Find out more