Some of you may know him as Daniel Stephens, but most know will know him as Smiley. This month’s Employee Spotlight shines a light on our Product Support Specialist based in Rockhampton – Daniel “Smiley” Stephens.
Some of you may know him as Daniel Stephens, but most know will know him as Smiley. This month’s Employee Spotlight shines a light on our Product Support Specialist based in Rockhampton – Daniel “Smiley” Stephens.
With a lifelong passion for air-cooled Volkswagen cars, it’s no surprise that Smiley pursued a mechanical trade in Diesel Fitting straight out of high school. As he puts it, “If you want to work on other people’s nice cars, be a mechanic. If you want to own a nice car, be a diesel fitter!”
After spending time working in the mining industry, Smiley joined Coxons Group as a Radiator Fitter, quickly progressing into a Leading Hand role. Known for his strong work ethic and problem-solving mindset, he became someone teammates could rely on for technical knowledge and practical solutions.
“I was identifying problems and presenting them to the supervisor and branch manager, but there wasn’t really anyone for them to hand it to,” Smiley explains.
Recognising both the need for stronger systems and Smiley’s capability, the leadership team created the Product Support Specialist role, giving him the opportunity to turn ideas into action. Today, he reviews, updates and improves key technical and operational materials, helping ensure consistency, quality and safety across the business.
With his wealth of experience and approachable nature, Smiley also supports teammates across multiple projects, recently travelling across the country to assist with team training.
“I like the trust and the freedom I’ve been given,” Smiley says. “I’m trusted to do my job.”
Smiley’s journey is a great example of how Coxons Group invests in its people, rewards initiative and creates pathways for those who are committed to learning, improving and making a positive impact.
Explore our Careers Page for current opportunities, to see where a career with Coxons Group Australia could take you.