HRNZ Member Profile: Rachael Trimble

Rachael has been Branch President for Bay of Plenty since April 2019 and continues to thrive in her HR career. She shares with us her insights into HR, career planning and longdistance running.

1. What do you do in your current role to help your organisation be successful?

Being new to the horticultural industry, I can use the skills and knowledge I have learnt in other organisations and industries and look at new ways of doing things. One of our greatest challenges is the seasonal nature of our business, therefore being able to offer New Zealanders ongoing employment and development opportunities to attract and retain key talent to the industry as we grow. Our managers are incredibly busy, especially during our packing season, and to be able to work alongside them to help them and their teams be the best they can be is an absolute pleasure.

2. What attracted you to pursue a career in HR?

My HR journey is somewhat nontraditional. I am one of those who never really quite knew what I wanted to be when I grew up! After studying laboratory science and then realising I get motion sickness looking down a microscope, I fell into the hospitality industry until I decided what I wanted to be. Sixteen years in the industry in front of house, cheffing, management, auditing and compliance, policy writing and training, of which I thoroughly enjoyed all roles, I decided to do some temp work for a while. The agency I worked with then offered me a role in recruitment, which I embraced with both arms. Then finding the combination of all of the roles that I had taken on equipped me incredibly well to work in an HR generalist role. I love the diversity, the interaction with people and being able to add value in a tangible way to people and the business.

3. What motivated you to apply for the role of HRNZ Branch President?

To get more involved in the development of HR within the Bay of Plenty brought me into the committee in the first place, then the opportunity to support our talented committee to re-engage and build our membership was one that I have embraced.

4. What has been a highlight in your career to date?

Being able to develop and pilot a leadership development programme for frontline leaders and see it is still running successfully in the organisation over five years later and still has a waiting list for each new programme.

5. What do you value about your membership with HRNZ?

I value its ability to share information between professionals and being a part of a team that is building industry profile and capability.

6. What's something that not many people know about you?

I was being coached at one stage in my career and was talking with my coach about feeling like I am good at most things I put my mind to but have never been ‘great’ at anything. She helped me understand that it was my nature to try multiple things and that was OK, and, by doing so, I may never have tried to put all of my energy into the one great thing. This helped me decide to focus, just to see if it worked, and I was able to train and complete my first 100 kilometre running event. I can be great if I choose to put my mind to it!! Just most times, I choose to enjoy trying little bits of everything.

7. If you could have dinner with three people living or dead, who would they be and why?

Wow, I’m not sure I could limit that dinner party to three! My dad definitely; yes, I am Daddy’s girl and love having a chat with him. My grandmother; I never got to know her as an adult, and after bringing up a family of eight on her own (my grandfather passed away when the eldest child, my dad, was 14 and the youngest two), I’m sure the adult Rachael could learn a lot from her. And for a big deep-down belly laugh, Billy Connelly. Sorry for anyone looking for inspirational names and thoughts!

8. What's your happy place?

Up in the bush, runners on and no strict limit on time.