Meet Mitch Kerr, Operations Manager at NEOZ. Having been with the company for over four years, Mitch’s role touches nearly every part of the business — from production to sales support and the occasional IT rescue. He thrives on the variety, describing his days as a balance of challenges, problem-solving, and teamwork.
But what is his favourite NEOZ lamp?
My favourite lamp is the Tall Poppy in Satin Black. It just screams quality in every aspect. The weight alone is impressive — it feels instantly like a genuine luxury product the moment you pick it up. I also love the look of it. It’s bold, unique, and I haven’t seen anything else quite like it anywhere else on the market.” The Tall Poppy is one of NEOZ’s most distinctive cordless table lamps. Designed with bold proportions and available in a range of finishes, it delivers a strong visual statement while providing warm, rechargeable LED illumination. Its Satin Black version, as Mitch points out, exemplifies premium craftsmanship and feel that makes it a “standout” choice for restaurants, hotels, and other contemporary luxury spaces.
Mitch's Choice - Tall Poppy Stain Black as featured at Chip Bee Bistro, Singapore
What does a typical day look like for you at NEOZ?
To be honest, I’m not sure I ever have a truly “typical” day at NEOZ! My role touches many parts of the business, so each day tends to look a little different — some are full-on and stressful, others are productive and deeply rewarding. What stays consistent is the team around me. We’re constantly problem-solving together, supporting one another, and doing our best to have a laugh along the way.
What’s something surprising people might not know about your role?
Most people don’t realise how many different hats I wear in a single day. From production to supporting sales to troubleshooting a random IT issue — I often end up being the go-to for anything that doesn’t clearly fall under someone else’s job. It keeps things interesting, to say the least!
Date night at Postino Osteria, Summer Hill
If you could swap jobs with someone at NEOZ for a day, who would it be and why?
There’s no one role I’m particularly eager to swap with — everyone at NEOZ works hard and juggles a lot, so I don’t think there’s such a thing as a “quiet day” here! But if I had to choose, I’d go back to the production floor for a day. I think it’s incredibly important to stay hands-on with what we make — to see the craftsmanship, understand the process, and appreciate the level of quality our team produces day in and day out. Honestly, I believe everyone in the business should spend at least a few days in production each year. It grounds you in the product and gives a real perspective on the work that goes into every lamp we ship out.
What’s your dream hotel or restaurant (real or fictional)?
As someone who really enjoys food, I’d have to go with a dream restaurant. For fine dining, it’s hard to top Attica in Melbourne — it felt more like an experience than just a meal. But for comfort food, I always think about Georgian House in Vilnius, Lithuania. I lived in Lithuania for a few years, and it was my regular go-to. It felt like eating in someone’s family home — warm, welcoming, and full of wholesome, comforting food.
What impact do you hope to have on your role and NEOZ?
I hope the impact I have is felt in the day-to-day work of the people around me. My goal is always to make things easier, less stressful, and more efficient — not to create more red tape or introduce processes that make life harder. I’m constantly looking for better ways of doing things, whether that’s through automation, improved workflows, or simply refining how we communicate. If I can help create an environment where people feel supported and their work is just that little bit smoother, then I feel like I’m doing my job right.
What does your ideal holiday or day off look like?
It has to include my wife, a very good bottle of wine, great food, and ideally a water view — ocean, lake, even a nice pool will do! I definitely have expensive tastes when it comes to time off, but for me, it’s all about relaxing in a beautiful setting with good company, good flavours, and zero schedule.
