Suzanne O’Leary is the Founder of Startwise and a Director of the search and recruitment company January Group. Suzanne has over 35 years of experience in business in New Zealand. She has also worked for periods in the United Kingdom and had led large multi-country projects across Australia and Asia.

Suzanne has held senior management roles in the FMCG and automotive industries as a Supply Chain leader. Later as a Consulting Partner at PwC Suzanne led teams of specialists advising business and government organisations.

She has a business degree, a graduate diploma in supply chain, and holds the internationally recognised CPIM. She is a life-long learner, currently studying economics and politics for interest. Suzanne is an active supporter of the University of Auckland and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Centre for Supply Chain Excellence at the Business School.

Local Knowledge
Suzanne has an in-depth understanding of New Zealand business and government organisations. She has worked extensively in primary production, manufacturing, logistics and retail. Her industry knowledge includes agri-business, food & beverage, food service, consumer products, high tech, industrial products, automotive, chemicals, building products, construction, professional services, banking and insurance. Suzanne has also worked extensively with local and central government organisations including Defence, Inland Revenue, Corrections, and Treasury.

As a Director of two not-for-profit organisations and an active member of Rotary International for 25 years, Suzanne has a good understanding of the charitable sector.

International Understanding
Based for two years in the United Kingdom and later leading multi-country projects across Asia, Suzanne has a strong appreciation of the differences in business culture between countries. As a PwC Partner she leveraged their global network to bring expertise to her clients from Europe, the USA, and Australia.

Experienced in Recruitment
Suzanne is an experienced search and recruitment consultant who as worked with local and international candidates for the last 16 years, successfully placing them in New Zealand businesses, government organisations, and charities.

Suzanne has assisted candidates from South Africa, India, China, South Korea, Zimbabwe, USA, South America, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. She has learnt that coaching international clients through the recruitment process gives them the opportunity to compete successfully with local candidates and bring their International experience to New Zealand.

Startwise brings all of this expertise together in an integrated program of videos, templates, helpful PDFs and links to useful websites so that you too can secure a job in New Zealand and start a new life in our clean, free, and multi-cultural country.