Narelle Urli has been with CSL Behring for 22 years. Giving such loyalty to one company is a glowing endorsement of the team and culture, and we spoke with Narelle about her experiences there. CSL Behring make products such as blood plasma, vaccines, antivenom, and other medical products, so Narelle’s work impacts people’s real lives and health.
A day in the life in Operations
Friendly and passionate, Narelle is the Senior Manager Operations, working in manufacturing in the Haemostasis Department (they produce blood-clotting products) and contributing to the site transformation project. She has previously worked across other sites and on other products, and Narelle is an experienced people leader who thrives on developing people and maintaining positive relationships.
“[I enjoy] doing my job and working with others to both help me do my job more effectively, and to help them do their jobs more effectively. It’s a team environment and we have a highly capable and functioning team.”
She spends her days planning, directing and overseeing manufacturing operations. This entails planning and maintaining work systems, procedures and policies. All of these combine to enable and encourage optimum compliance and performance of staff and resources within the business unit.
When we asked Narelle what inspires her, she shared:
“Continuing to work for this company because of what we do. The diversity of tasks, company growth and opportunities.”
She knew she’d made the right decision to join CSL Behring early on, and her 22 years there shows the company has kept offering new opportunities to grow and learn. Narelle appreciates having an increased understanding of the products CSL Behring manufactures.
“These products are life-saving and support public health.”
CSL also supports inclusion and belonging at work through being a WGEA employer of choice for women.
Find out more of their inclusion and diversity efforts
Overcoming setbacks in a supportive environment
Like anyone with a long career, Narelle admits she has occasionally faced some challenging work environments due to people and processes. But the environment at CSL Behring has supported her in refocusing and staying excited about work.
“I have had supportive management and peers, revision and delegation of tasks, new and exciting opportunities and great friendships.”
Narelle is proud of products CSL Behring manufactures and how the company has grown over the many years. She enjoys the company culture and what it means to be a CSL Behring team member.
“[I get the chance to] be resilient, have great job opportunities, and be involved in some important company milestones.”
Some of those milestones include getting the influenza vaccine to the U.S., working on the “swine flu” pandemic, and being part of CSL Behring’s COVID preparedness team.
Because the work environment is so important, Narelle is also proud of her tenure, and maintaining so many friendships and professional relationships.
Balancing life and work
Narelle loves barramundi fishing in the Northern Territory and saltwater crocodiles. She also loves the outdoors and being with friends and family.
She admits that she doesn’t always get the balance right – any working parent understands that it’s a constant reprioritisation of demands on your time!
“My 2-year-old lets me know when it’s his time! I have learnt to focus whilst at work and balance after hours work or weekends. Make sure you always find time for yourself daily for the rest of life stuff.”
As she’s looking to the next 10 years, Narelle wants to help CSL Behring to continue to grow and be part of its ongoing success. She continues to enjoy developing a broader knowledge of CSL Behring’s support functions.
The lessons she has learned from her own career that she thinks could help others are:
“Ask questions, continue to work on your professional and personal relationships and friendships and don’t make assumptions. Know about your people and the colleagues you work closely with and do what you say you are going to do.”
