“I can't imagine ever having a career outside of food and beverage. It's literally in my veins.”
Despite having a background in nutrition, Casey Oxley had an immense interest in all things FMCG due to its massive part in everyday life.
She completed her bachelor of consumer and applied science studies at Otago University and ran a catering and nutrition consulting business.
Feeling burnt out and needing a change, her FMCG journey began in her mid-20s.
Oxley jumped at the opportunity of a hybrid role as a sales rep for Charlie's Juice and Redbull and was soon offered an assistant marketing role with Charlie's for another 12 months.
She then took over the reins as brand manager from Sarah Aubrey, another marketer from whom she adored and took inspiration. Coming from a small town, she had never dreamed of working with the biggest FMCG brands in the country.
Oxley was grateful to Steve Cook for providing her first marketing role at The Better Drinks Co. in 2017.
“I was fresh out of Tauranga and running my own business. I had taken on a sales role in Auckland CBD, but I always knew I wanted to be in marketing. He saw something in me that I didn't; the rest is history. Ten years on, I represent some of the world's leading brands in New Zealand,” said Oxley.
As part of her several roles at The Collective, Oxley worked alongside the yoghurt pioneers for five years and was heavily involved in innovation.
Her advice was never to second-guess oneself.
“Changing direction with your career (at 30) is not starting over, and everything you have done in your career to date only makes you a better marketer.”
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