From Chemist to Branch Manager: Allan Smith reflects on 20 years at Cleanaway

After 20 years at Cleanaway, Townsville Branch Manager Allan Smith shares his leadership philosophy, commitment to safety and career journey.

Pictured: Plant Manager Ross Radloff (left) presenting Allan Smith with his 20 years of service certificate. A fantastic milestone of service.

Twenty years ago, Allan Smith boarded a flight from the United Kingdom with a chemistry degree, an opportunity at Cleanaway and no idea that Australia would become home.

"I booked myself a ticket and flew over two weeks later," he recalls.

That decision launched a career spanning hazardous waste treatment, regional operations and leadership across Western Australia before bringing him to Townsville during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Allan leads Cleanaway's Oils & Technical Services branch in Townsville, overseeing one of North Queensland's largest hazardous waste treatment facilities. The branch supports customers across an extensive footprint stretching from Darwin to Cairns, Mount Isa, Mackay and Rockhampton, managing everything from transport logistics to complex hazardous waste treatment.

Despite the scale and technical complexity of the operation, Allan's answer to what has kept him with the business for two decades is surprisingly simple.

"The people."

Building a career through people

Over 20 years, Allan has experienced major industry changes, business integrations and leadership roles across regional Australia. What stands out most isn't a single project. "It's the people that you meet and the people that you work with," he says.

Working in regional operations has meant leading relatively small teams where strong relationships naturally develop.

"When you've got a smaller team, you get to know everybody individually. You become like a family. You spend more time with people here than you do with your family."

That sense of connection extends beyond work.

"If people are going through problems, you try to help them. You support them as best you can. The team and the friendships you make at work are what keep you coming in every day."

Leading by example

Having started his career as a chemist before moving into management, Allan believes leadership starts with understanding the work firsthand.

"I wouldn't expect anybody to do anything that I wouldn't do."

Rather than directing from a distance, he prefers working alongside his team, demonstrating safe practices and helping solve problems together.

"If you're willing to demonstrate it yourself and get involved, it builds trust. People feel comfortable coming to talk to you because they know you've done it yourself."

For Allan, leadership is less about authority and more about removing barriers between managers and frontline teams.

Creating a culture where safety comes first

Working with hazardous waste means safety is never negotiable. But Allan believes creating a strong safety culture is about much more than following procedures. "Safety is number one."

He encourages open conversations where employees feel comfortable raising concerns before work begins.

"If somebody has a concern, you can't just say that's the way it is. You need to work together to find a solution that keeps people safe."

Sometimes, the safest decision is simply to pause. "Stop. Let's talk about this. Let's take a break."

For Allan, giving people permission to stop and reassess creates confidence, builds trust and ultimately keeps everyone safe.

"If somebody isn't feeling 100 per cent comfortable, you don't want to put them in that position. We've all got families. We all want to go home safe."

Solving complex challenges every day

No two days look the same in Oils & Technical Services (OTS).

Each morning begins by checking in with transport schedulers before heading to the treatment plant to discuss incoming waste streams, operational priorities and any issues requiring attention.

From there, the day can involve customer support, logistics, people leadership and responding to unexpected challenges.

"Every day is different."

One project Allan remembers particularly fondly involved an abandoned mine clean-up.

Over two weeks, a five-person team removed 36 trailer loads of waste before receiving recognition from the Department of Mines for completing a clean, safe operation.

"Those sorts of jobs are really satisfying."

Changing perceptions of the industry

After two decades, Allan believes one of the biggest misconceptions about waste management is that people only think about landfill.

"They don't realise how much technical expertise is involved."

Hazardous waste management requires chemistry, engineering, specialised treatment technologies and highly trained people working together to reduce environmental risks across countless industries.

He's also seen the industry's safety standards evolve significantly.

"The equipment we have these days compared to what we used to do is outstanding. The industry itself has developed and grown massively over 20 years."

Advice for the next generation

For anyone considering a career in the industry, Allan believes there's never been a better time.

"It's a fascinating industry. There's so much variety and opportunity to grow."

His advice also echoes something his stepfather told him when he accepted his first waste industry role after university. "There's always waste."

Twenty years later, Allan says that advice has proven true.

For him, the opportunity to solve new challenges every day, support his team and help customers safely manage complex waste streams continues to make every day worthwhile.

Inspired by Allan’s story? Explore a career at Cleanaway and discover the opportunities to grow, make a difference and build a career in waste management. Visit cleanaway.com.au/careers to learn more.