Australia’s liquor retail industry is an incredibly diverse landscape, from pioneering new trends to upholding time-honoured traditions. But beyond the brands and products, it is the individuals within this industry whose passion and dedication create such a dynamic market.
In each instalment of our ‘Five minutes with…’ series, National Liquor News puts the spotlight on a key figure in the industry, sharing a glimpse into their personality and the experiences that underpin their achievements.
Each fortnight, we will dive into the professional accomplishments and unique perspectives of our industry’s dynamic leaders, uncovering their personal stories of success.
This week, we sat down with Ty Menzies, who was recently appointed the new Executive Director Sales for Australia and New Zealand for Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia, a role which he will assume on 23 December 2024.
NLN: How long have you been with Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia, and can you share a bit about your journey to becoming Executive Director Sales for Australia and New Zealand?
TM: I have been fortunate enough to work for Samuel Smith & Son for most of my professional life — 23 years. Tenure is quite typical in our family-owned business, which has a culture focused on loyalty. We have many people in the company with 30, 40, and even 50+ years of experience, so I still have some way to go.
I have always worked in sales connected to customers, but my earliest role was in the famous Smiths & Negs Noddy Van in Western Australia in 2001. Since then, I have worked across the WA, VIC and SA in various roles, most recently leading our independent retail team as general manager.
NLN: What are some of the critical milestones or lessons in your career that have shaped your understanding of the industry?
TM: The diversity of experience through moving to different cities and markets over my career has been essential to learning how to connect with people and understand the importance of the little differences. It provided me with a sense of empathy with our people and customers. I encourage our teams to get a breadth of experience; most of our senior management team today have had successful careers in our industry and company due to their willingness to try new challenges, whether through different markets or roles.
NLN: How do you ensure Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia stays ahead of industry trends and changes?
TM: Working for a distribution business over 100 years old provides a fair amount of knowledge of people and experience to lean on, which drives a significant element of our strategic approach today. The complementary factor is that we also invest substantially in consumer and category insight, which we share with our customers to create mutual value.
NLN: In your new role, what are your ambitions for the year ahead?
TM: My focus for the year ahead is to spend plenty of time connecting with our people and customers. I will be new in the role, but our strategy and approach will remain consistent. So, I will be in trade regularly, talking to customers about their business and working with our teams to ensure we align our resources to focus on our customers’ priorities.
NLN: What keeps you inspired?
TM: Quite simply, it’s our people and the customers we work with. Working in the wine industry is a pleasure, a very social industry, and connected to people from many walks of life. I also draw a lot of inspiration from my family. As one of seven children, mum inspires me through her approach to life, family and making people feel valued and connected – she’s amazing.
NLN: Outside of work, what hobbies do you have, or how do you enjoy your spare time?
TM: My family is really supportive of the demands of the role and travel commitments, so when I am not at work I love to do what my kids enjoy, which is exploring the many tracks and trails Adelaide has to offer on our mountain bikes. I also enjoy getting out on local waters fishing for whiting to enjoy with the next glass of Riesling!