Bradken logo image
Annie Young, Salesforce Specialist from Adelaide, Australia.

A Decade of Adventure, Growth and Sales Support Excellence

Salesforce Specialist Annamarie, or Annie as she prefers, has been with Bradken for 10 years, carving out a path that's not only led her across the world, from the bustling city of Johannesburg to the sunlit shores of South Australia, but also on a journey of professional growth and personal discovery.

A vibrant team member described by colleagues as a natural leader who is no more in her element than when sharing her skills and knowledge with those around her, she describes working at Bradken as engaging, supportive and rewarding. “From working with different customers and navigating the pothole-ridden roads of Zambia, to the friendships formed and the opportunities to travel to different Bradken sites, it’s been quite the adventure so far!”

Annie joined Bradken in March 2014, as a Customer Service Coordinator for the company’s South African Mining Mobile Plant team. Her role quickly evolved, and by 2016, she had transitioned to an Account Manager role, merging the responsibilities of customer service with account management.
Her dedication and knack for problem-solving didn’t go unnoticed, and in 2022, she was promoted to the role of Sales Support Team Lead for the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and Africa region, managing a team of Sales Support Coordinators.
Despite some setbacks, including the global pandemic, by December 2023 Annie and her family had packed up their lives and moved to Australia, a move which coincided with her successful appointment to the role of Salesforce Specialist, allowing her to continue her career with Bradken, now on a different continent.
Annie said transitioning from South Africa to Australia was a personal adventure filled with both excitement and challenges, rooted in a dream for her family ignited years earlier. “In 2016, I was given the opportunity to go on a two-week training trip to Bradken's Head Office in Newcastle, Australia. Experiencing the breathtaking beauty of the country, upon my return to South Africa, I persuaded my family to consider Australia as our future home, driven by the promising lifestyle and work opportunities it offered my husband and I, and our two children.”
Having been born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and growing up in Johannesburg, Annie said there are of course aspects of home that she dearly misses, like boerewors (a South African sausage), braais (fire barbeques) and biltong, but says she and her family have embraced their new environment: “The familiar comforts, cherished traditions and close relationships we left behind often evoke nostalgia, simple things like the warmth of family gatherings and the familiarity of our hometown, but nonetheless the journey has been enriching and we’re adapting to our new surroundings while cherishing memories of South Africa.”

Proud to Belong

In her current role as Salesforce Specialist Annie works with Bradken’s Sales Excellence team to administer and support team members around the world using the company’s customer relationship management system that tracks customer interactions and sales data. Harking back to her pre-Bradken background in systems end-user training, she said contributing to others' success by offering guidance and support brings her immense pride and satisfaction.

“The most fulfilling part of my job is collaborating with team members from diverse backgrounds and geographies. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of working together to tackle complex problems and leveraging the collective expertise of my colleagues because each of us brings a unique perspective to the table to apply to our common goals. The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose within Bradken makes for a dynamic and rewarding work environment.”

Annie pictured with her teammates at Bradken’s site in Johannesburg, South Africa.

quote

The most fulfilling part of my job is collaborating with team members from diverse backgrounds and geographies... each of us brings a unique perspective to the table to apply to our common goals.

- Annie Young
Looking ahead, Annie will apply her passion for training to the implementation of Bradken’s new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system when she travels back to Johannesburg to support the South African team through the initial rollout phase.
“I’ll be there to provide in-person support during the go-live period, to walk the team through any immediate concerns and help ensure a smooth transition to the new system with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.
“This will also be my first visit home since moving to Australia – I’m looking forward to catching up with my ‘old’ Bradken teammates, and of course seeing my family and friends, but I’m most excited to see my beautiful cat Chester who I unfortunately had to leave behind in the care of a family member.”
Annie describes herself as an adaptable, easy-going person who, guided by strong personal values, enjoys a good laugh, a good book and just generally having a good time. “There’s nothing I love more than escaping into a book. Right now, I’m stuck on the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. There are eight books in the series and I’m only up to the second one, so it should keep me busy for a while. But my absolute favourite book of all time is The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony.”
In her free time, she also enjoys exploring new places, discovering new experiences, and a good gym session to clear her head, because “a healthy mind is a happy mind.”
Annamarie Young, Salesforce Specialist from Adelaide, Australia

Be Challenged. Be Inspired. Be Heard.

With her encouraging presence, openness and warm sense of humour, it’s no surprise that Annie is someone people connect with easily and enjoy working with. And she reciprocates that feeling back to her teammates. “The team I work with are more than just colleagues, they're amazing mentors who are deeply passionate about their work. It's inspiring to be surrounded by such driven people who, while challenging their peers to excel, still genuinely care about each other's growth and accomplishments.”

In a testament to Bradken’s focus on innovation and continuous improvement, her advice to anyone thinking of joining the Bradken team is: “Even after 10 years with the company, I’m still learning new things every day. So, be open to growth and learning and be willing to voice your ideas and collaborate openly – it’s extremely rewarding to see and share in the successes of those around you.” Annie’s story is a wonderful example of the growth and adventure that can be found at Bradken.

CAREERS AT BRADKEN

Work With Us

Be Challenged. Be Inspired. Be Heard. Help us transform the future for the resources services sector. It’s more than a job, it’s a career.

 Female Engineers at Bradken

Find A Specialist Bradken Rep In Your Area arrow-right

Find a rep