Over a long career in business, Kevin Obern has led organisations through growth, transformation and some of the tougher decisions that shape companies over time.
Many in the New Zealand business community will know Kevin through his role as Managing Director of OfficeMax New Zealand, where he has led a nationwide business responsible for strategy, commercial performance and organisational capability across sales, supply chain, finance and transformation functions.
Over a multi-decade career, Kevin has developed deep expertise in product-led businesses, logistics and supply chain operations while leading large teams in customer-focused environments. His career has included two decades working in Europe, leadership roles across Australia and New Zealand, involvement in start-ups and mergers and acquisitions, and guiding organisations through both expansion and turnaround. Earlier in his career, he helped build and grow a small business over a decade before its eventual sale to an international buyer.
Across those experiences, Kevin has developed a reputation for strong commercial judgement, disciplined execution and values-based leadership. He has led multi-disciplinary executive teams through significant organisational change while maintaining a clear focus on customer outcomes and employee engagement.
Kevin has now joined the OCS Australia & New Zealand Advisory Group, which brings together experienced leaders, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Bill English and well-known business leader Rob Fyfe, who provide independent perspective and guidance to the OCS leadership team as the business continues to grow across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
OCS Australia & New Zealand Managing Director Gareth Marriott says Kevin’s experience will add an important dimension to the group.
“Kevin brings a depth of enterprise leadership experience and practical commercial judgement that will be valuable as our business continues to grow,” Gareth says.
“What’s stood out to me over the many years OCS has partnered with OfficeMax is Kevin’s ability to move comfortably between strategy and operations. He understands what it takes to lead customer-focused organisations at scale and brings thoughtful challenge to the table. He also understands our business from a supplier perspective, having worked closely with large service providers and supply networks throughout his career.”
Alongside his commercial roles, Kevin has remained closely connected to the community. He has served as Chairman of a Council Controlled Organisation within Auckland Council and has long been an advocate for people both in the workplace and in the wider community.
Kevin says he is looking forward to working with the OCS leadership team and the Advisory Group as OCS continues to develop.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the other members of the Advisory Group at OCS to provide additional commercial and strategic insight to the business,” he says.
“OCS already has a strong commercial story. I look forward to contributing where I can and helping the business continue to grow profitably in the years ahead.”
Outside of work, Kevin is a father of six and grandfather of nine.
Read more about the OCS Australia & New Zealand Advisory Group.
