Men’s work? Meet Triss Habgood, Terminal Manager at Z Energy

Now, more than ever, there’s a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There’s a strong call to #PressforProgress motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. FlexCareers is proud to partner with employers who are making headway in this space. Z Energy in New Zealand continues to break down stereotypes and Triss’s story shows Z Energy’s workplace commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Meet Triss Habgood, Terminal Manager at Z Energy

Recently Triss Habgood has been promoted to Terminal Manager at Z’s Mt Maunganui Terminal in Tauranga and possibly the first female fuel terminal manager in New Zealand.

Triss started working at the Mt Maunganui Fuel Terminal seven years ago as an operations assistant. She remembers not really know much about what the role entailed but having worked in forestry and transport she knew she was comfortable in Hi-Vis. She remembers being asked at her interview where she saw herself in ten years she said: “Your job as a Terminal Manager is looking good to me”.  While the comment was made off the cuff, Triss is certain that in saying that on that day, a seed was planted with her and her manager and she has been working towards achieving that ever since.

As Terminal Manager, Triss manages the contractors on her site, leads a team of terminal operators, manages tanker receipts and ensures the 100+ drivers are all loading

safely every time. With many millions of litres of fuel coming in and out of the terminal every year, it is a big responsibility.

There is lots to love about her role. She loves the variety. One day she could be boarding a ship to prepare it for a delivery into the terminal, the next training a new staff member and the next up on top of a tank doing an inspection and enjoying the amazing view from up there. But her favourite part of the role is the people. “I have a great team and it’s good to know that we have each other’s backs.  Many of my workmates and contractors attended my wedding and also my 40^th birthday recently.  We are kind of like a little family.”

Being one of the few women working in her industry has its challenges. Contractors often assume that she must be the most junior on the team rather than the one in charge and she has sometimes found it difficult to give instruction to men who are older and have many years more experience. Having a manager who encourages her and backs her has made a huge difference and has helped her build her confidence. “One of the things I look forward to, now I am a Terminal Manager, is being a role model for other women interested in working in this industry.”

Triss would love to see more women considering a career in her industry. “If you like variety, working with people and not being stuck behind a desk all day then this could be for you.”

About the Author

Julie Fitzgerald is the Talent Manager at Z Energy Limited in New Zealand. Her portfolio includes recruitment, development, employee value proposition and diversity and Inclusion. Julie started her career with Z in Retail and more recently moved into the People and Culture team. She takes full advantage of Z’s approach to flexible working by working one day a week from home.

Z Energy supplies fuel to retail customers and large commercial customers like airlines, trucking companies, mines, shipping companies and vehicle fleet operators, and they also provide bitumen to roading contractors.  They want Z to represent what New Zealanders can achieve when they put their minds to the things that matter – things like putting the service into service stations, fuelling New Zealand to get ahead, supporting local neighbourhoods, and rewarding their investors and bondholders for their belief in the company.

To find out more about Z, and to browse jobs available through FlexCareers click here.