Constantly challenging herself and with a zest for life, Olivia Mercer, National Account Manager of Petrol and Convenience at Suntory Oceania, is ready to tackle whatever life throws at her. This is her story…
I was born in Penrith, NSW. My parents moved into our family home when Mum was pregnant with me and my sister was about two years old. I was fortunate to spend my entire childhood and teenage years in that beautiful house.
I’ve always had a love for the ocean and being near water, so Penrith wasn’t exactly the ideal place for someone like me. At 18, I took a leap and moved to Bondi Beach, which became my home for the next eight years. It was there, on a random Saturday afternoon, that I fatefully met my now-fiancé, Steve, on Bondi Beach.
Growing up, my family consisted of Mum, Dad, my sister, and my brother. I’m the middle child, with my sister three years older and my brother three years younger. We were all very close, though my brother and I have always shared a special bond. People often say we look like twins, and when we’re together, you can’t stop us from laughing or being silly.
We always had animals growing up; from dogs to rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds. I think that’s why I’m such an animal lover today.
School was a joy for me. I attended public schools and loved subjects like dance, PDHPE, and English. In Year 11, I briefly tried a selective high school but missed my old friends and teachers too much, so I returned after two terms. Even while working hard, having fun and being around people I love has always been a priority for me. It’s a value I hold dear to this day.
As a child, I took up figure skating with my best friend, who remains my best mate 31 years later. I enjoyed it but eventually grew out of it, partly because of the pressure of performing solo. In school, I was active in sports like hockey, netball, and soccer. However, dance was always my favourite and something I did inside and outside of school.
Mum and Dad both instilled a strong work ethic in us, and seeing Dad’s successful career in the building industry was a huge inspiration for me to get to work as soon as I could. That led me to starting my first job on the register at Pizza Hut as soon as I was legally old enough – 15 years and nine months.
As kids, my parents always encouraged us to explore different things. Their belief and support in me allowed me to try and fail with a safe place to land. Still to this day, I can try and fail and have the mindset of finding the lessons because of that safe supportive space my parents created.
After working for a few years, I began saving so I could experience more of the world.
Travel is a big passion of mine. I love the experience of meeting different types of people, the exposure to different cultures, and of course the incredible food that you can encounter along the way.
Working in the travel industry, firstly at Flight Centre then a wholesale travel company, which created bespoke holidays for clients, allowed me to experience some incredible destinations. These jobs allowed me to go on some incredible, once-in-a-lifetime trips, experiencing the very holidays that I was creating for people.
South Africa and the Yukon are two of my favourite destinations from that time, and certainly two very different ends of the temperature scale!
Steve, my fiancé, and I travelled to Italy in 2023, where we got engaged on the Amalfi Coast. We ended that trip in Wales, where Steve grew up. Wales is one of my favourite places in the world, and I wish we could visit more often.
Currently, I’m the National Account Manager for Petrol & Convenience at Suntory Oceania. I’ve been with Suntory for over five years now. Initially, I wasn’t sure about my career path, but Steve, who’s been with Suntory for a decade, encouraged me to apply for a Territory Manager role. After shadowing one of the TMs for a day, I knew it was the right fit. Over the years, my leaders have consistently encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. This support led me from being a Territory Manager to a National Account Executive, then to a Field Manager, and now to my current role.
One of my proudest achievements was winning the Peter Jowett Supplier Award in 2024 – a first for Suntory. The growth and lessons that came from doing Peter Jowett are something I’ll carry on throughout my entire career. These lessons have been a massive help for me in developing my self-confidence and finding my voice.
Having progressed through five roles in six years, I’ve often asked myself questions like “am I good enough?” or “is this the right choice?”, and if I had to pick one lesson that stands out amongst them all, it would be “feel the fear and do it anyway.”
In my spare time, I love spending time with Steve and our four-year-old dog, Millie, a Standard Poodle x Golden Retriever. We recently moved to the Central Coast to be closer to the ocean. Most mornings, you’ll find us in the water. I’m also a fan of Reformer Pilates and enjoy hiking, waterfall hunting, and exploring nature.
Looking ahead, I’d love to be a Head of Channel or a Regional Business Manager leading a larger team. For retailers, my advice is to hone in on what you want to be known for and do it well while staying agile and customer-focused. For suppliers, be curious and build partnerships rooted in mutual growth. Above all, whether you’re a retailer or a supplier, remember that your people are your biggest asset. Support and believe in them, and you’ll all continue to succeed.
This article originally appeared in the February/March issue of Convenience and Impulse Retailing magazine.
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