Michael Farragher | Supply Chain & Logistics Teacher | TAFE NSW
Michael Farragher has built a distinguished career over the past 25 years, gaining extensive management experience in multi-million-dollar FMCG supply chains across Europe and Australia. Currently, he serves as the Head Teacher for the Technical and Further Education New South Wales (TAFE NSW) in the Sydney region. TAFE NSW, as the largest education and training provider in Australia, operates across 130 locations and offers over 300 accredited courses, enrolling more than 430,000 students each year. Michael’s role involves overseeing various accredited courses in areas such as Supply Chain Operations, Logistics, Procurement, Freight Forwarding, and Supply Chain Management, both within Australia and internationally. At EliteX, we are proud to have Michael Farragher as Cover Story of the edition: Impactful Leaders in Supply Chain, 2024.
In addition to his role at TAFE NSW, Michael actively volunteers with the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA). He contributes to the NSW events planning team, serves on the Training, Education, and Development (TED) Committee, and coordinates an Industry Mentoring Program in NSW. Michael is also a dedicated Vocational Education Training (VET) ambassador. His extensive industry experience enables him to guide and mentor students, preparing them for successful careers in the Supply Chain and Logistics sectors. His commitment to education and training has earned him several accolades, including:
- Australian Supply Chain & Logistics Awards (ASCLA) – Finalist of the ‘Industry Excellence Award’ 2023
- NSW Training VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year NSW State Finalist 2023
- NSW Training VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year for the Central & Northern Sydney Region 2023
- TAFE NSW Employee Recognition Awards – Region Winner of the ‘Living Our Values Award’ 2023
- TAFE NSW Employee Recognition Awards – Region Winner of the ‘Commitment to Educational Excellence Award’ 2022
- Australian Supply Chain & Logistics Awards (ASCLA) – Winner of the ‘Training, Education & Development Award’ 2022
“Passion drives enthusiasm and creativity, leading to innovation and continuous improvement.”
In his role as Head Teacher at TAFE NSW, Michael is responsible for developing and delivering various Supply Chain and Logistics educational programs. This involves designing curriculum, teaching, mentoring his team and students, collaborating with industry partners, managing program administration, and ensuring quality assurance. His goal is to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic field of Supply Chain and Logistics. Michael was inspired to pursue a teaching career in this field to give back to an industry that has been immensely rewarding for him. Having benefited from mentors throughout his career, he now aims to help others grow and explore the diverse opportunities within Supply Chain and Logistics. Teaching allows him to share his knowledge and demonstrate that the field offers a range of exciting and dynamic career paths beyond traditional roles.
For Michael, impactful leadership in the Supply Chain sector is defined by a strategic vision that aligns with industry trends and sets clear goals. It involves empowering teams, fostering a collaborative environment, solving problems proactively, adapting to changes, maintaining transparent communication, upholding high ethical standards, and driving operational excellence. Among the biggest challenges Michael has faced are adapting to rapid technological changes, managing complex global supply chains, balancing operational efficiency with innovation, meeting diverse student needs, and navigating evolving industry regulations. Overcoming these challenges requires adaptability, strategic thinking, and strong leadership skills.
Michael Farragher has led several impactful initiatives in the Supply Chain and Logistics field. One notable example is his role as a volunteer with the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA), where he coordinates the NSW SCLAA Mentoring Program. This program connects seasoned professionals with aspiring mentees, facilitating knowledge transfer, professional development, and networking opportunities. By linking experienced leaders with emerging talent, Michael helps shape the future of the Supply Chain and Logistics industry. At TAFE NSW, Michael’s efforts include aligning the curriculum with the practical needs of the Supply Chain and Logistics workplace. This involves leading projects to build hands-on training centers equipped with industry-standard technology, ensuring students gain relevant, real-world skills.
Michael believes that successful leaders in the Supply Chain sector possess key qualities such as strategic vision, problem-solving skills, adaptability, strong communication, decision-making ability, leadership, team-building, and ethical integrity. These attributes enable leaders to effectively navigate industry complexities, drive operational efficiency, and inspire their teams towards sustainable success. To stay current on industry trends and best practices, Michael engages in various activities. He volunteers on SCLAA committees, attends conferences and seminars, participates in site tours, engages in continuing education, reads industry publications, networks with peers and experts, and tracks industry news. Additionally, he writes industry articles and develops curriculum, leveraging his involvement with SCLAA to remain informed and up-to-date.
“To adapt to changes in the global market and evolving industry regulations, I prioritize Continuous Professional Development (CPD).”
One challenging decision Michael faced during his tenure at a large FMCG company involved reducing the workforce due to the global recession. He approached this difficult situation with transparency and compassion, maintaining open communication to build trust, providing support to affected employees, and involving senior management in the decision-making process. By focusing on future resilience and maintaining team morale, he demonstrated the importance of empathetic leadership and strategic planning, guided by his core principles of Passion, Pride, Patience, and Persistence.
To foster collaboration and communication within his teams, Michael employs several strategies. He organizes cross-functional workshops to gather diverse perspectives, creates innovation hubs for idea-sharing, implements role rotation programs to broaden understanding, and establishes peer mentoring initiatives. Additionally, he introduces gamification to make teamwork engaging, uses real-time collaboration tools, and encourages storytelling to share personal experiences. These methods help build a cohesive and motivated team, enhancing overall collaboration and communication.
In his teaching approach, Michael prioritizes sustainability and ethical practices by incorporating these values into the curriculum and practical applications. His courses cover topics such as reducing carbon footprints, waste management, and ethical labor practices, complemented by case studies of industry best practices. Project-based learning and partnerships with sustainable industry leaders provide students with real-world experience. Michael also emphasizes ethical decision-making frameworks and continuous improvement principles to encourage responsible and innovative solutions. Reflecting on past mistakes, Michael believes that mistakes are opportunities for growth and wisdom. Addressing challenges and learning from errors is crucial to personal and professional development. He emphasizes the importance of not letting others undermine one’s potential, as only individuals themselves truly understand their capabilities.
Michael Farragher envisions technology playing a pivotal role in the future of Supply Chain and Logistics. He believes that automation will streamline operations and minimize manual labor, while artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will enhance decision-making through predictive analytics. The Internet of Things (IoT) will improve real-time tracking and visibility, and blockchain technology will ensure greater transparency and security. Advanced analytics will offer deeper insights for optimizing performance, and sustainable technologies will address environmental impacts. Additionally, digital twins will aid in planning and process optimization. Overall, technology will drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainability within the sector.
“Technology will drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainability within the sector.”
To adapt to changes in the global market and evolving industry regulations, Michael emphasizes the importance of Continuous Professional Development (CPD). He prioritizes CPD programs, industry certifications, and customized training modules to keep his staff and himself updated on market trends and regulatory changes. Michael collaborates with industry bodies, such as the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA), to access valuable insights and resources. Feedback mechanisms help him gather real-world insights and adjust training programs as needed. By integrating these strategies, Michael ensures that Supply Chain Operations remain efficient, compliant, and competitive in a rapidly changing environment.
For aspiring leaders in the Supply Chain field, Michael offers the following advice:
- Passion: Be passionate about your work. Passion drives enthusiasm and creativity, leading to innovation and continuous improvement.
- Pride: Take pride in your contributions. Pride fosters ownership and accountability, ensuring high standards and quality.
- Patience: Practice patience in problem-solving and decision-making. The field can be complex, requiring thoughtful and strategic approaches.
- Persistence: Stay persistent in the face of obstacles. Persistence is crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving long-term goals.
Michael believes that the future of Supply Chain and Logistics is set for significant transformation. Advances in technology, sustainability initiatives, and evolving consumer demands will redefine operations, making them more efficient, transparent, and resilient. Automation, AI, blockchain, and data analytics will play key roles, while sustainability will drive companies to reduce their carbon footprint and embrace circular economy principles.
As Head Teacher at TAFE NSW and a Vocational Education Training (VET) ambassador, Michael is committed to equipping the workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to advance the sector. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices into the curriculum, he aims to prepare students for future challenges and opportunities. His extensive experience in FMCG Supply Chains and active involvement with industry bodies like SCLAA ensure that TAFE NSW’s training programs align with industry needs and trends.
Michael’s goal is to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation, empowering individuals to excel and contribute to the evolution of Supply Chains. Through strategic partnerships and practical, hands-on training, he and his team are dedicated to building a skilled and adaptable workforce ready to tackle the complexities of tomorrow’s Supply Chains.
“By integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices into our curriculum, I aim to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
