New CMPA Business Development Manager
ROSS OUTEN, Business Development Manager for the CMPA provides an insight on his vast experience.
I started my quarrying career in late 1976 at the Pioneer Quarry at Bulla. I was employed as an air track driller. During my time there I learnt to operate all manners of quarry equipment including loaders, trucks, graders and dozers. My destiny my set!
I moved to Readymix Quarries in 1978 where I was able to advance my quarrying knowledge into fixed plant maintenance and shotfiring. Readymix was divided up in 1983 through a parting of ways of owners CSR and BMI. I was at Bundoora Quarry when it came under BMI ownership trading as BMG. BMI had a very strong culture of people development and safety. This fired my passion for all manners of quarry process, in particular looking after people’s safety and wellbeing.
I completed my supervisor’s qualification in mid-1980’s which provided me opportunities to commence into leadership roles in the industry. In around 1987 BMI was acquired by Boral and so commenced my long association with that company.
I commenced the Quarry Managers course at Box Hill TAFE in 1990 and gained my Quarry Manager Superintendent qualification in early 1994. I spent the best part of the next 10 years in Quarry Manager and Area Manager roles, most notably was 7 years as Quarry Manger at Montrose where I was able to develop my leadership skills. Over this period, I was involved in an application for the extension of the quarry which broadened my knowledge around the complicities of the Work Authority process in Victoria.
In 2004 I received an Advanced Diploma in Extractive Industries. In the following years I held numerous roles including Production Manager, Operations Manager and completed 2 years overseeing a business improvement program. From there I went on to leading the Victorian Drill and Blast division whilst being involved in many projects including quarry extension applications and crushing plant upgrades including a couple of complete plant replacements.
In 2012 I moved into the Asset Manager role for the Southern Region with responsibility for capital expenditure, compliance, and maintenance for all VIC and SA Quarries. Compliance was a key part of this role which saw me oversee numerous electrical and structural upgrades of crushing plants. In 2015 I was responsible for the upgrade of the Lobethal Quarry in the Adelaide Hills.
I spent 2018 in the role of Vic Country Operations Manager in an acting capacity before moving into a Strategic Manager role reviewing the companies resource position across Victoria.
After 42 years continuous service I moved to Edge Drill and Blast in early 2020 in the role of Operations Manager until April of this year where I have decided to start to wind down a little, but hopefully not too much!
Having spent virtually all my working life in and around quarries I have an absolute passion for the quarry industry and those that work in it. I have been a member of the CMPA since 2009 and have long admired the fantastic work carried out by the association in support of the industry and its members.
I am excited at the opportunity to join the team at the CMPA and am looking forward to being able to work with all members to ensure the ongoing success of the industry.
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