It’s been 10 years since Ged Kerr joined the Maxum Foods team and we’re celebrating this awesome milestone. We caught up with Ged to have a chat about his journey and to talk through some of the highlights during his time at Maxum.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Ged, short for Gerald, although only my mother calls me by my full name. I grew up in Scotland and spent much of my childhood moving around because my dad was in the army. At the age of ten, I went to a boarding school for military children and stayed there until I was eighteen. After finishing school, I came to Australia on a gap year and worked at Marist College in Ashgrove as a boarding supervisor and soccer coach. Later, I returned to the UK, spent some time in Cyprus with my parents, and completed a youth development course. Eventually, I moved to London with my now wife, Tammy, and worked at Fitness First in Oxford Circus, where I progressed from sales consultant to sales manager and won several awards. After returning to Australia, I worked in textiles and then in packaging, where Maxum Foods was one of my clients. That connection eventually led me to join Maxum Foods ten years ago.
Tell us a little bit about your journey at Maxum Foods.
When I first walked through the doors at Maxum Foods, I had no experience in the dairy industry beyond drinking milk in my tea. It was a completely new world for me, and I had to learn everything from the fundamentals of a commodity-based business to the complexities of dairy processes and applications. Over time, I developed a deep understanding of the industry and how Maxum fits into the supply chain. I am proud to have contributed to the company’s growth, which has been extraordinary. When I started, the business was turning over about 50 to 60 million dollars a year. Today, that figure is closer to 300 million. Being part of that journey has been both exciting and rewarding, and it has pushed me to grow personally and professionally.
What do you actually do at Maxum?
I am a Sales Manager at Maxum Foods. My role is to make sure our customers receive products at market value while also understanding the added value that Maxum brings. I focus on building strong partnerships with customers so that we are seen not just as a supplier but as a trusted partner. My day-to-day responsibilities include negotiating, maintaining relationships, and ensuring that both sides achieve a win-win outcome.
Why Maxum?
For me, it was all about the culture and the feeling I got when I interacted with the team. During my time as a supplier, I met with Dave Russell and immediately sensed that Maxum was something special. The energy, the drive, and the challenge of the business really appealed to me. I had other offers from grain merchants, but they didn’t feel right. My gut told me Maxum was the place where I could make an impact and be part of something exciting, and that instinct was absolutely correct.
What’s the one thing that has changed the most during your time at Maxum Foods?
The biggest change has been the growth of the company. When I joined, there were about fifteen employees. Today, there are nearly seventy. The scale of the business has expanded dramatically, and that growth is reflected not only in staff numbers but also in turnover and office space. We have gone from a small office to a full floor and now to our own building; which is a modern, vibrant workspace.
Nicknames: What do they call you in the office?
Most people call me Ged, but I also get called Jerry quite a lot. In the past, I was known as Jock during my packaging days, but Ged and Jerry are the main ones now.
What is the best ‘work perk’ at Maxum Foods?
The best perk for me is the autonomy and trust I have to run my own show. I appreciate being given the freedom to make decisions while knowing support is always available when needed. Beyond that, Maxum has a fantastic work hard, play hard culture. We celebrate birthdays, hold quarterly conferences with fun activities like pottery or bowling, and enjoy major events such as the Melbourne Cup. There are also fitness perks like CrossFit sessions, which I really enjoy.
Do you have a favourite story from the last 10 years that you would like to share?
One of my favourite traditions is our annual Christmas party dress-up. Every year, the team chooses a theme and goes all out with costumes. Walking through the city in full costume always attracts attention and creates memorable moments. Last year’s Barbie theme was a standout, with about thirty of us dressed up and turning heads in the mall. It is always a great laugh and something I look forward to every year.
What do you get up to when you’re not at work?
Outside of work, I am a father of three young children, two girls and a boy, aged between four and nine. Weekends are all about family time. You will usually find me at a sports field watching my daughters play hockey or helping my little boy learn to kick a football. We enjoy walks along the river, trips to New Farm Park, catching up with friends for barbecues, and spending time at the beach. Family is very important to me, and I make sure to stay close to them whenever I can.
Congratulations on 10 years Ged! We are looking forward to many more years with you on the team.
