Sumitomo Corporation

Australia

Sumitomo Australia

* Job :: Trading carbon-based products and chemical products, identifying new investment opportunities and developing new business

What are your main responsibilities at Sumitomo?: My work mainly involves chemical products and carbon-based products. Within the area of chemical products, I work on exporting silica sand mined and processed in the state of Tasmania for the production of liquid crystal glass, importing organic chemicals to sell to major Australian chemical manufacturers, and importing slag, a by-product of smelting iron and other metallic ores. Slag, after it is dried and ground into a fine powder, is used in the building of concrete structures, including pavement foundations, as part of a blended cement. Within the carbon products business, my major task is exporting coke.

I enjoy cooking for private time on the weekend.

What is interesting or challenging about your job?: As representatives of Sumitomo Australia, individual employees need to handle a broad range of products. This means we work with a variety of partners, ranging from customers and suppliers from all sorts of sectors to colleagues from different related divisions, each of whom has their own specific style of communication and approach to doing business that reflects their personal and cultural background. It is extremely tough to deal effectively with this kind of diversity to efficiently move a project forward as part of a team. However, I also find it stimulating and I enjoy working for Sumitomo.

Easter's event with my colleagues (Mr. Shioda is left)

What do you admire about Sumitomo?: One of the most impressive attributes of the company is the overarching tone of mutual respect among employees regardless of position or rank. Managers take their subordinates seriously and respect their opinions. Another is Sumitomo's good reputation established among local businesspeople. Thanks to the strong trust that the Group has developed over many years, I have had considerable opportunities to meet new customers in this region.

I climbed Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, a World Heritage Site with my boss and colleagues

What are your future plans?: My recent major focus is how we can help local businesses to enter and lead the global market. I aspire to help Sumitomo Australia create and lead new projects in cooperation with local companies so that they can expand their business globally.

Will you tell us something about your personal interests?: I have a great enthusiasm for cooking. I like to buy organic vegetables, local fish and other fresh food at the market and use them to cook a variety of dishes. I sometimes invite my co-workers to sample some of my culinary creations. I am particularly fond of desserts. I like to spend time after dinner preparing waffles or crème brûlée, among others, and I relish every bite of whatever is the day's "special." It's really restorative after a long day at work. On the other hand, I think I need to take on a new pursuit—going on a diet!