James Parrott

How long have you worked at Christchurch Airport? Since November 2018. I actually moved here from the UK to take up the role. I feel fortunate to have moved to a place many would consider a dream holiday destination!

What do you do as a procurement manager? Our department is responsible for tendering strategic sourcing projects, facilitating day-to-day purchasing activities and performing contract management when needed. In simplest terms, we support the business to get the right outcomes when they want to buy stuff.

Where are you located on campus? We've arguably got one of the best seats in the house, which overlooks the runway. We can see all the planes coming and going, and the Southern Alps behind that. It's a unique place to come into work every day.

What do you love most about your job? I love that no day is the same. The longer I've been here, the more opportunities I've had. Christchurch Airport is great in that if you put your hand up and ask for more, they give you a chance to stretch yourself. They offer varied work that keeps you interested and helps you develop as well.

What’s the coolest project you've worked on? Kōwhai Park is hard to look past. It's a large-scale renewable energy precinct, that’s bringing solar and other renewable energies to campus to support our airlines and customers. The project is a ‘first mover’ in New Zealand and has been incredibly interesting and rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about working at the airport? A lot of people will say ‘the people’ – and they are amazing – but I really love the ambition. We have a really aspirational mission, and we want to have a lasting impact on New Zealand and the aviation sector. Combine that with a whole heap of really smart, genuinely caring people and you’ve got a brilliant environment to work in.

What are you happiest doing when you're not working? I love being outdoors, so multi-day hikes with my wife or running around the local trails are my happy places.

Tell us something most people wouldn't know about you. I know an unnecessary amount about penguins! In the ‘what animal what would you be?’ quiz, I will be there championing the unsung hero, the penguin.

What's your favourite winter escape? The South Island’s West Coast. The ruggedness and incredible scenery make it feel like a different world, even though it's only a few hours away.

Any extra special moments from working at Christchurch Airport to share? Last year we won the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) ‘Excellence in Procurement Award’ for the best sustainability project, for Kōwhai Park. That was the first time the airport had won a procurement award in that space and it’s a pretty big one. It was nice to receive recognition for all the hard work and effort that went into it.

What's ahead for you? Professionally, I've just been awarded Fellowship within CIPS (the global industry body for procurement) which was a pretty cool career milestone to achieve. I've also got a trip back to Europe with my wife this winter. We’re going to visit family, attend a friend’s wedding and hike in the Albanian alps.

Any advice for someone thinking about a career at the airport? Give it a go! We love passionate people who want to add value. Reach out to somebody for a chat. There's such a variety of roles here, there might be something perfect for you.