Solomon Patha started at BCI Minerals two years ago as a Procurement Manager. It is a role in which he oversees the management of long-lead procurement packages and tender processes. He is a well-known and well-loved member of the team, but Solomon is so much more than that when he steps outside the doors of the West Perth office. He is a dedicated community member who supports widows in India, attends a local church every Sunday, and renovated his own home.
We’re proud to have Solomon as part of the BCI team, and we hope you enjoy getting to know him better.
Question: What was your career journey before joining BCI?
Answer: Over the past 13 years, I've accumulated experience in procurement and logistics within the mining industry, including management roles. My journey to BCI began when the former GM Commercial reached out to me via LinkedIn to see if I was interested in working for BCI. Initially sceptical about the request via LinkedIn, I assumed it was spam. However, I contacted them and after verifying the authenticity, I joined BCI in 2021 and embarked on a rewarding professional journey.
Q: What does your role at BCI involve?
A: My primary responsibilities include securing the best price and high-quality products within optimal lead times. Collaboration with Projects, Operations, and corporate teams for daily purchasing, as well as generating purchase orders in the system, is integral to my role. Additionally, I am responsible for managing logistical requirements, ensuring orders are delivered in full and on time.
Q: What do you like about your job at BCI?
A: I have always been drawn to contributing value to greenfield companies, and BCI offers a friendly and close-knit work environment. The strong organisational culture, accessibility of senior executives, and clear leadership vision for the next five years are standout aspects.
Q: What’s something interesting about you?
A: Outside of my professional life, I initiated an organisation dedicated to supporting widows in India. Our team negotiates with families to reintegrate vulnerable widows, providing essential groceries and medicines monthly. It is very rewarding and gives us great satisfaction.
Q: What do you do with your weekends / spare time?
A: I spend my weekends engaging in community service. I serve on the National Board with The Gideons International in Australia, attend a local church on Sundays, and host monthly community gatherings at my place with shared meals.
Q: What is a time in your life when you’ve been proud of yourself?
A: My proudest moment is the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Since the age of eight, I aspired to come to Australia, and when our Permanent Residency was granted in 2007, I experienced immense pride in realising that dream.
Q: What is your personal and professional highlight of 2023?
A: Personally, my wife and I undertook a rewarding personal project this year by purchasing a house built in 1962 and renovating it ourselves. The renovation process was a significant undertaking, and we are proud of the successful outcome. It was a fulfilling experience that allowed us to bring our vision to life, and we are pleased with the results. Given the opportunity, we would gladly embark on a similar project again.
Professionally, 2023 has been marked by notable achievements. Through strategic collaboration and relationship-building with our service providers, my team not only achieved efficiencies but also delivered substantial cost savings. One particularly significant accomplishment was the nifty negotiations in acquiring an ambulance, resulting in a remarkable cost-saving of $380,000. This success underscores our commitment to optimising procurement processes and delivering tangible benefits to the organisation.
“Salt of the Earth” is a new fortnightly series whereby we get to know our dedicated team members.
To see the current opportunities at BCI Minerals, please visit our careers page: https://www.bciminerals.com.au/careers.html