Chetan S Mahanteshaiah
Sourcing Manager – Group Procurement, ANZ Group Capability Centre Bengaluru, India
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration
He is proud of successfully transitioning from an engineering background to the business world, says Chetan S Mahanteshaiah who came to AUT as an international student from India to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.
“After completing my engineering degree and working in India for three years, I wanted to broaden my perspective beyond operations and understand how businesses work. I also wanted to step outside my comfort zone, experience a new country and gain international exposure. I was looking for a course that gave me a broad understanding of business, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration covered exactly what I was interested in. I chose New Zealand because I had friends and family in Auckland, which made the move a little less daunting. AUT stood out because of its industry connections, hands-on approach to learning and multicultural environment. Learning from lecturers with real industry experience and classmates from all over the world made it an easy choice.”
It's a decision he certainly hasn’t regretted, and he still has fond memories of his time at AUT in Auckland.
“AUT gave me the confidence to explore opportunities outside my original field and build an international career in industries I never imagined working in. The programme placed a strong emphasis on practical learning through group projects, case studies, business assignments and presentations based on real-world challenges. Working in diverse teams taught me how to communicate effectively, appreciate different perspectives and deliver results under tight deadlines. Those experiences improved my problem-solving skills and gave me the confidence to present ideas to different audiences. Looking back, they also prepared me well for working in large global organisations where collaboration across teams, functions and cultures is part of everyday life.
“One of the biggest highlights was studying alongside people from so many different countries and professional backgrounds. Some of the best learning didn’t just come from the lecturers – it came from the people sitting next to me in class. Everyone brought different experiences and perspectives, which made discussions incredibly interesting. The collaborative nature of the programme helped me build communication, teamwork and leadership skills that I still use every day. On a personal note, moving to New Zealand helped me become much more independent. Before I moved, I’d barely stepped into the kitchen. By the time I graduated, I had become known at work for making biryanis and butter chicken!”
A global procurement career
Now working for the ANZ Bengaluru Global Capability Centre, ANZ’s largest operations and technology hub outside of Australia, Chetan loves having a career in procurement.
“I’m proud of building an international career across New Zealand, Australia and now India, progressing into procurement roles within large organisations like ANZ. After spending several years in New Zealand, working with the Australasian business still feels a little like home, and I enjoy working closely with colleagues across Australia and New Zealand. I enjoy solving complex business problems and working with stakeholders across different parts of the organisation. Procurement today is much more than negotiating contracts or pricing – it’s about creating value, managing risk and helping the business make better decisions.
“One career highlight has been leading spend governance initiatives across thousands of cost centres, partnering with senior leaders and helping improve procurement processes at scale. I’m also proud that I’ve continued investing in myself through professional certifications and by taking on opportunities that pushed me outside my comfort zone.”
He says his time at AUT prepared him well for the career he has today.
“AUT prepared me to work confidently with people from different cultures, backgrounds and ways of thinking. In a global organisation like ANZ, collaborating across countries and functions is just part of everyday work. The emphasis on communication, teamwork and presenting ideas has been just as valuable as the technical knowledge I gained during my studies.”
Advice for other students
Chetan, who graduated from AUT in 2015, has some great advice for other students.
“Technical knowledge is important, but your ability to communicate, collaborate and solve problems is what will really set you apart. Build relationships with your classmates and lecturers – you never know where those connections might lead. Step outside your comfort zone. Say yes to group projects, presentations, networking events and conversations with people from different backgrounds. Some of the biggest lessons you’ll learn won’t come from textbooks, they’ll come from the people around you.”
Stay curious and keep learning, he adds.
“Technology and business are constantly evolving, so focus on developing skills that will always be valuable – including communication, critical thinking, adaptability and relationship building. Don’t be afraid if your career doesn’t follow a straight line. Mine certainly didn’t. Some of the best opportunities come from taking chances, being open to change and continuously challenging yourself.”
