The world of technical services is changing quickly. For Zuzanna Kotlarz, Contract Manager at Bidvest Noonan, the biggest shift ahead is how much technology and data are now shaping the industry. Everything is becoming smarter and more connected, giving teams the ability to see what might go wrong before it happens. Predictive systems and smart monitoring are helping businesses move from reacting to problems to preventing them altogether.
Zuzanna believes this transformation is opening new opportunities to deliver better value for clients. Today, clients want greater transparency and insight. They want to understand what is happening in their facilities in real time and see how services contribute to performance and efficiency. For her, technology plays a vital role in achieving that. Digital reporting systems and smart data tools now allow teams to provide live updates, detailed reports and predictive insights. These tools improve efficiency for engineers and managers while also strengthening client relationships by building visibility and trust.
Another major focus, she explains, is sustainability. Clients increasingly expect their service partners to help them achieve environmental goals. Sustainability is no longer a separate priority; it is central to everything we do, Zuzanna says. Through energy-efficient systems, smarter maintenance strategies and continuous monitoring, Bidvest Noonan’s technical services teams help clients run their plants more efficiently, reduce energy waste and extend the lifespan of equipment. This proactive approach makes operations greener, helps clients reduce costs, plan ahead and avoid unnecessary disruption.
Zuzanna’s career began at Bidvest Noonan’s Service Desk, where she first learned the value of clear communication and teamwork. Early on, she was fortunate to have supportive managers who believed in her and guided her development. Their mentorship helped her recognise her strengths and gave her the confidence to grow. That experience shaped her leadership style today and reinforced her belief in structured mentoring and career development for young professionals. When people are new, they often do not know what opportunities exist, she explains. Having someone to talk to and learn from can make all the difference.
Becoming a Helpdesk Manager at a young age proved to be a defining moment for Zuzanna. The role came with high expectations and constant pressure, but it taught her how to stay calm, make decisions quickly and trust her team. It also deepened her understanding of what true leadership means. She learned that empathy, communication and consistency are key to leading effectively in a fast-paced environment. Our teams in the field and behind the scenes are the ones who keep everything running, she says. My role is to make sure they feel supported, appreciated and empowered to do their best work.
Zuzanna believes that strong performance comes from reliability and consistency. Clients notice when a team communicates well, delivers on time and follows through. Doing the basics right every day builds trust, and that trust leads to long-term partnerships and new opportunities.
She encourages anyone pursuing a career in operations to embrace every opportunity for growth. Saying yes to new challenges, she says, is how you learn and build confidence. Each experience, even the difficult ones, teaches something valuable.
Continuous learning is also central to her own development. Zuzanna often visits sites and plant rooms, talking to engineers and observing how systems operate. She believes that real understanding comes from asking questions and learning directly from experienced colleagues. You learn so much from conversations and hands-on experience, she says. That curiosity helps you keep up in such a fast-moving field.
For Zuzanna, technical services are ultimately about progress and partnership. They are about combining innovation with sustainability, technology with integrity and leadership with care. By focusing on the performance of each client’s plant and the long-term value of their facilities, she believes service providers can deliver more than maintenance. They can create smarter, more sustainable spaces for the future.