Pearl

Pearl, what brought you to VTTI?

I joined VTTI in 2017 and worked in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE). In January 2024, I became the Operations Manager here in South Africa. It’s a new, exciting and different challenge for me!

It was a strong interest in the energy markets that brought me to VTTI. I also knew that this would be a great place to work from the moment I came for an interview. I didn’t feel like the interviewers were looking at me as just another candidate, but that they were interested in what motivates me.

How do you structure your day as an Operations Manager?

We start the day with what we call the ‘Golden Hour’. It’s a time for our team to be open about their expectations of the day ahead. We look at our activities, the contractors joining us, the safety risks and how to mitigate them. The team is confident in speaking up and eager to learn new skills. This is the ‘people’ aspect of my role.

As Operations Manager, I also dedicate more time to strategic matters than in my previous role. I prioritise tasks, set deadlines and consult with senior managers to keep our operations streamlined and efficient.

My role involves a fair amount of process improvement and policy, too. Our management team gives us ownership over practices at the terminal. They encourage proactivity and out-of-the-box thinking.

What would you say about VTTI’s culture?

We understand ownership as the freedom to get things done. There are plenty of opportunities to push yourself, and the support for professional development is excellent. There’s also the chance to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the field. It’s an honour and inspiration to get to work closely with them every day.

The leadership team is also kept up to date on what operators like me are working on and are happy to provide constructive feedback. It doesn’t matter who you are, what your background is or where you come from, you’re free to be yourself and do the job you’ve been entrusted with.

What is your proudest achievement at VTTI?

I am proud of the progress I’ve made in moving from HSE to operations. I’m a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field and care a lot about cultivating a supportive working environment. I’ve been able to work with and learn from others, and I feel very grateful for that opportunity.

In fact, I’ve been grateful from day one that VTTI took a chance on me to become the Operations Manager at an international company. They’ve nurtured my skills at every stage, and I’m very touched by that.