Mrs McLean took a "wee while" to decide on a career direction after she left school.
The business systems analyst began her working life as a receptionist before moving on to the processing chain at the Pukeuri meatworks. These days she works as a consultant currently contracted to Silver Fern Farms.
"If you have a strong interest in something, back yourself," is Mrs McLean’s advice to any aspiring young people. A year or so on the processing chain and living at home with her parents helped her save enough money to venture away from her hometown of Oamaru.
"I got an accounts payable job in an office in Sydney and that was the catalyst that propelled me into the business analysis field of work. I really enjoyed reviewing and improving processes and making things less clunky."
She undertook a human resources course in the evenings and progressed her way through the ranks before moving to London for nearly three years, working in the same field. After moving back to New Zealand, Mrs McLean was working for Motor Trade Finance when she met husband Jamie who was training as a livestock rep for Silver Fern Farms in Balclutha.
She then worked as a business analyst at Calder Stewart Construction in Milton. After starting their family, the couple chose to move back to Oamaru to be closer to family support.
"I took up a role at McKenzie and Co accounting firm, firstly as a business analyst and then moved into the general manager position."
In 2018, the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) Action Network Group programme was under way, funded by the major industry players in the country. The concept was to bring farmers together in a localised group and have in-depth farm discussions with the aim of making tangible improvements to their businesses [and] improving their bottom line.
"I took on a facilitator role of these groups. I think at the peak of it, together with Fraser McKenzie, I was facilitating nine groups around the region which was a separate entity to my job at the accounting firm."
The facilitation work showed her the realities of farming, and she gained a newfound respect for those in the industry.
"Urbanites can be guilty of seeing farmers as people who just run around working with animals all day but that is only a small part of it. The work opened my eyes to the challenges farmers face every day and I was blown away by the variety of hats they wear on any given day; they can be a vet considering the wellbeing of an animal and an hour later they can be an accountant crunching the numbers.
"They are extremely resilient people, there are always issues to troubleshoot and they just have to get on and do it."
It is a busy but tiring time in Mrs McLean’s world. With two young children she was spread thin and decided to finish after seven years at McKenzie and Co.
"The RMPP funding was also winding up. It felt like a good time to take the foot off the accelerator."
Her move into consultancy work gave her time to spend with her family, which she relished. Taking on a contract at Silver Fern Farms, Mrs McLean works in a leadership role in business analysis at the company’s Dunedin office.
"It’s an awesome team. I really enjoy helping people realise their potential. We are working hard to improve efficiencies and make it a slick operation," she said.
Reflecting on her journey, she said each chapter of her life has fleshed out her intimate understanding of the Silver Fern Farms business model.
"Right from being a young lady on the chain, extensive business analysis experience, marrying a livestock agent and getting to understand the intricacies of my RMPP farmers’ businesses — it has all led me to this point in my career.
"If you have a good attitude, communication skills and an ability to adapt, you don’t necessarily need years of formal training in order to achieve your career goals."
By Alice Scott
