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Marcus McKenzie
An experienced community leader with a strong background in mentoring and advocating for Small Business across Australia.
Over 35 years of senior management experience in diverse industries, including food processing, consultancy and a small business owner.
Adept at building partnerships, building a strong customer service focus, driving initiatives, and creating sustainable, healthy, and resilient communities. Helping to build small business and communities as one!
KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
Board Leadership & Governance, Small Business Mentorship & Support, Audit and Risk Management, Government Relations & Public Policy, Risk Management & Process Improvement, Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships, Community Advocacy & Engagement, Renewable Energy & Sustainability, Leadership & Team Management, Strategic Planning & Project Management, Mental Health & Domestic Violence Awareness, One on One or Group Training Programs.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Councillor / Deputy Mayor ( 2020 - 2024 ) - Wellington Shire Coastal Ward (Port Albert to Loch Sport), Victoria, Australia
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee, Strategic Planning, Remuneration Committees and New Energy Sector Engagement.
Chair - Small Business Mentoring Service - 2019 – Present
Chair of Small Business Mentoring Service which is a not-profit organization focused on mentoring and supporting small businesses throughout Australia.
Advocate for business growth and resilience through strategic initiatives and effective mentoring programs.
Mentored and continue to do over 1000 small businesses via training modules both one on one and group mentoring such as NDIS and the franchise sector.
Co-Owner – Gowrie Guest House & Hampton Cottage - December 2018 – Present - Port Albert, Victoria, Australia
Co-owner and manager of historic Gowrie House and Hampton Cottage offering short stay accommodation in the heart of Port Albert. Promoting local tourism and contributing to the community's economic growth.
President – Philippines Business Tours - September 2014 – July 2018 - Makati City, Philippines
Provided tailored business tours for international clients to explore outsourcing and shared service sectors in the Philippines.
Facilitated business partnerships and collaborated with local executives at all levels of government to offer insights in doing business in the Philippines. Promoted ethical business practices, honesty, and integrity in all dealings.
Group Shared Services Manager – Peerless Foods/ Cookers Oil - May 2007 – January 2014 - Braybrook, Melbourne, Australia
Managed shared services for accounts receivable, accounts payable, and reception.
Drove business process improvements that resulted in significant savings (over $1 million annually).
Played a key role in risk profiling and process optimization across multiple divisions.
Activated significant business process for Cookers Oil with significant savings and improved visibility of administration processes.
Group Administration Manager – Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd - April 1999 – April 2007
EDUCATION
Management Degree – Management and Accounting
Australian Institute of Management
1978
Diploma in Accounting and Finance
Granville Technical College
1975 – 1976
Higher School Certificate – Economics, Geography, Physics, Accounting, Management
Christian Brothers Lewisham
1966 – 1971
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & LEADERSHIP
Rotary Member (2019 – 2024) - Served as President and actively contributed to assist the community in combatting mental health, domestic violence awareness, and supporting community initiatives.
Port Albert Progress Associations (2018 - 2021) - Active member of this local community associations, editor of the local newsletter, organizing events and supporting local initiatives.
Neighbourhood House Board & Tarra Festival Committees Member (2018 - 2023) Engaged in community leadership and event planning to foster community spirit as well as supporting and actively participating in the Yarram Men's Shed program.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building effective partnerships and collaborations.
Committed to continuous professional development, staying informed on industry trends and community issues.
Continued support of the Small Business genre of over 2.5 million small business within Australia.
Currently completing the Australian Insitute of Company Directors Course stage 3
Fluent in English, with extensive international business experience.
Skills:
- Finance-
- Management-
- Planning-
- Governance-
- Sales-
- Operations-
Industries:
- Administrative and support services-
- Tourism, hospitality, accommodation and food services-
- Retail trade-
- Manufacturing-
Spoken Languages:
State: Victoria
Primary Locations:
- Latrobe Valley-
- Sale-
- Traralgon-
- East Gippsland-
- Bairnsdale-
Mentoring available by:
- In Person, Face to Face in (Victoria) or by Phone and online
Current Occupation:
SBMS Mentor, Short Stay Guest Accommodation Owner, Board Director - Small Business Mentoring Service & Latrobe Valley Village (Aged Care )
Detailed CV:
Marcus McKenzie has a rich career history spanning more than three decades, working in senior management roles across food processing, retail, and hospitality industries. His early career saw him working as Group Administration Manager for a prominent poultry producer, where he was responsible for managing risk, cash flow, and financial reporting. This role solidified his expertise in financial oversight and strategic management, key skills that he now imparts to the small businesses he mentors.
In the mid-2000s, Marcus took on the role of National Credit Manager for a dairy cooperative, managing a large team and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. His leadership extended into the mining sector, where he managed trade debtors' insurance and risk, developing sustainable management processes that businesses could rely on. These positions honed Marcus's ability to implement robust financial systems and oversee large-scale operations, skills that are highly transferable to small business development.
Between 2016 and 2018, Marcus expanded his scope to international markets, working as Business Head for a consultancy assisting Australian corporations in the Philippines. This international experience enabled Marcus to understand the complexities of global business expansion, further enriching his mentoring approach by offering small business owners insights into entering and thriving in new markets.
In addition to his corporate experience, Marcus co-owns Gowrie Guest House & Hampton Cottage, a successful short-term accommodation business, with his wife. His entrepreneurial ventures, combined with his role as a Councilor for Wellington Shire, demonstrate his deep commitment to community development and supporting local businesses. As a mentor, Marcus's comprehensive knowledge in finance, planning, and management allows small business owners to gain the tools they need to achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Qualifications:
- Diploma in Management
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