Operator Spotlight: John Campbell

A Journey of Two Decades

John Campbell’s tenure at WM New Zealand spans 20 years, a journey that began in the transport sector. "I started in transport, driving truck-and-trailers, flat decks, vacuum trucks, and the sort," he recalls. The relentless Auckland traffic and the rapidly evolving truck technology eventually nudged John towards a new path. "When I got fed up with the crazy Auckland traffic and the difficulty keeping up with all the new truck technology, I decided to transfer into the yard," he shares.

Transitioning to the yard didn’t mean leaving the driver’s seat entirely. For a period, John played a hybrid role, juggling driving and yard work. It’s been about 8 to 10 years since he fully embraced his yard role, morphing into a freelancer and troubleshooter. "I’m more of a freelancer and troubleshooter doing things like specialised work, police call-out rosters, and plenty of other things. When I find some areas of the plant that need help, I jump in straight away whether it’s with the excavator at the crush pit or a forklift driver for inward goods," he explains.

Embracing Variety and Freedom

John thrives on the variety and autonomy his role offers. "There’s a lot of variety and freedom. There’s no micromanagement, and there’s a lot of trust between me and my manager, and me and the team," he says. His extensive experience has earned him a reputation for reliability and versatility. "I’ve become a jack of all trades and I achieve any tasks and goals I’m given without any faults," he adds.

Beyond his professional duties, John has become a go-to advisor for his colleagues, offering guidance on health, family matters, and even financial advice. "I try to explain things in a way so that these things are less daunting. Whether it’s work or not, as long as they’re willing to learn, I can teach and guide them," he says with a smile.

Jason Kim, Operations Supervisor at TS Auckland, fondly recounts a story from years ago: "When a team member got injured outside of work and was hospitalised, it became known that they struggled to pay rent. John organised a fundraiser and personally delivered the gift at the hospital."

Flexibility and Service Across New Zealand

John’s commitment to WM goes beyond his base at TS Auckland. He has worked at several sites across the country, showcasing his flexibility and dedication. "After the Christchurch earthquakes, the company was asking for volunteers, and I stepped up and flew down twice, staying three weeks each time," he recalls. Despite the scary and shocking experience of aftershocks, John found it rewarding to help the community. "I vividly remember placing this port-a-let outside a front yard, and the lady from inside came out to shake my hand and thank me," he says.

Last year, John headed to Wairoa to tackle acid accumulation issues, personally chosen by Ross O’Loughlin, Regional Manager TS Wellington. "It was hectic and under close watch by WorkSafe," he remembers. His work ethic and reliability have also taken him to Queenstown and beyond, proving that wherever help is needed, John is ready to step up.

Community Connections and Personal Insights

In the community, John takes pride in his work and the relationships he has built with customers. "I make sure I get the job done, and I make sure to do an exceptional job," he states. His willingness to go the extra mile has earned him numerous customer compliments and recommendations. "I have created great relationships with my customers – we have shared laughter, banter, and at times they have kindly shouted me lunch and provided me with presents," he shares.

Outside of work, John enjoys seeing families and kids playing sports, appreciating the community spirit it fosters. "I’m not a big sports person myself, but it’s nice seeing and hearing how some of our guys commit time to take their kids to sports and support them," he says.

Wisdom and Future Aspirations

John is an open book to his colleagues, but one lesser-known fact is his military background. Reflecting on his career, he imparts valuable advice: "The greatest asset in life is to have total discipline and focus to complete all tasks asked and do them well. When it’s time to work, it’s game time and it’s serious."

He also offers a constructive suggestion for WM: "It would be great to involve us, the operational guys, when there are any systems or procedural changes. We know the groundwork firsthand, and we’d like to participate and work with the decision-makers during the planning stages."

John Campbell’s story is a testament to dedication, flexibility, and the invaluable role of experience in shaping a successful career at WM New Zealand. His journey continues to inspire and guide his colleagues, making him a true TS treasure chest of knowledge.

Thanks to Daniel Coleman and Jason Kim for the update and John for sharing his story with us.