Inghams is the largest integrated poultry producer across Australia and New Zealand with more than 8,000 people. The diversity and expanse of our business provides a great platform for our people to grow their career through promotion but also through expanding their experience into new roles. Boram Keam is Head of Environment, Sustainability and External Relations for Inghams in New Zealand. In her 20 years with the company, she’s held many roles, starting in quality and product development, before taking on an environment role, which has continued to expand. “I feel like I have grown up at Inghams,” she said. “Although I’ve only worked for one company, I have benefited from the diversity of opportunities that exist at Inghams and the experience I have gained.”
Tell us about your career journey at Inghams? When did you join Inghams? What was your first role?
I joined Inghams in January 2004 and my first role was a technical officer, which was really a catch-all for graduates. I worked at Te Aroha, New Zealand’s main processing site and also the headquarters for Inghams in New Zealand. In my role, I worked on quality systems and documentation, and reviewed and updated risk management plans. Although there wasn’t a formal graduate program with placement opportunities across the business, I learned about the business by asking lots of questions and got to experience a range of different activities – including having a go on the live bird hanging line!
What other roles have you held?
My next role was as a product development technologist, which was more in line with my training. In this role I worked in a team to develop recipes, conduct sensory tests, and showcase the product ideas to customers, which was lots of fun.
My next role was running a production line which produced value-enhanced products such as kebabs, rolled roasts, and KFC fillets and promotional products. It was valuable experience – and a massive learning curve – as I was only 24 and responsible for a team of 35 people.
In January 2007, I commenced an environment role. This was site-specific initially, but became national soon after.
That’s quite a change, and in a short amount of time!
The environment role, and subsequent expansions of the role, were the result of changing market expectations and Inghams’ growing focus on environment and sustainability.
My roles have had a logical progression, and with the last three having been newly created roles, you make them what you want them to be. Inghams is my only employer, but there has been variety across the organisation.
I’ve always been open to opportunities presented to me, and I’ve had lots of firsts in Inghams in my career.
What is your current role? And what does it entail?
In May 2023, I was appointed the Head of Environment, Sustainability and External Relations for New Zealand. My role, firstly, is focused on embedding sustainability into the mainstream of the NZ business, so it’s not a separate or add-on function, and we have a team that cares about our planet so this is a real collaborative area. Second, is environmental compliance. We have to comply with regulations or it cancels everything else out. And the third part is engaging stakeholders. I’ve had the privilege of watching a private company become a public company. When it was owned by the family, decisions were based on passions, and the rule of thumb for external engagement was to keep a low profile. But now we need to actively communicate, and let people know our good news. This is part of our social licence with our stakeholders, to demonstrate we are doing the right thing.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?
One lesson is to have clear personal values and high integrity. For example, with environment compliance, some things we self-report because it’s the right thing to do, and it gives me great satisfaction at work that we do the right things.
I also believe you must be confident, yet humble, and stay true to yourself. And if you ever in doubt about anything, that you should ask.
Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of.
The setting up of the Inghams’ planet KPIs and writing the first sustainability report. The Planet KPIs are a measure of our sustainability footprint. 2024 is the fourth year Inghams has reported on these KPIs publicly. For example, in our latest Annual Report we reported on reducing our waste-to-landfill intensity by 30% since FY20, and six years ahead of our FY30 target, and I’m proud of the role I’ve played with the business to support this achievement.
Do you have any strategies for dealing with stress at work?
I tend to carry stress with me, and over the years I’ve had to work at not bringing stress home. This was a learning curve, and still is, but I think I’m improving as I go!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I very much enjoy running after our two children, aged 14 and 12, who have a lot going on in their lives. The 14 year old started high school this year, which made us even busier!
I play the cello and have been with the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra for eight years. The orchestra performs four concerts a year, although this year I’ve only participated in one concert.
What’s your favourite Inghams product?
The boneless thigh fillet – it’s so versatile, and can be used in many ways. Fortunately, the family agrees with me.
Why is Inghams a good place to work and a good place to grow?
Inghams is good because they care about personal growth. My bosses have asked me about my career aspirations, and I’ve been exposed to those experiences in the company. They are focussed on looking after people and helping with personal growth, career goals and resilience.
I feel like I have grown up at Inghams, having started here as a graduate. The experiences I’ve had have built me up, and I value all my learnings. Although I’ve only worked for one company, I don’t feel I lack diverse experience, because Inghams is diverse.
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Outside of work, Boram plays the cello and has been with the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra for eight years. The orchestra performs four concerts a year.
Boram talks about why Inghams is a good place to work.