Meet Sun Shirley
There are employees who join a company. And there are employees who grow with it.
For almost 20 years, Sun Shirley has done exactly that.
As General Office Manager and International Logistics specialist at benkert China, she has witnessed company milestones, market shifts, organizational changes, and the start of an exciting new chapter as part of the delfort. Throughout it all, she has remained a steady force, connecting people, solving problems, and helping move the business forward.
Her story is not only about longevity. It is about curiosity, resilience, collaboration, and the lasting impact one person can have on a team.
What has kept Shirley rooted for nearly two decades? Read on to find out.
Name
Sun Shirley
Position
General Office Manager, International Logistics
Location
benkert China
team delfort since
2007
goal
establish intelligent operation system
her impact
boost efficiency
What first attracted you to the company, and what inspired you to stay for almost 20 years?
When I joined the company about 20 years ago, the opportunity to work in an international environment was incredibly appealing. At that time, many graduates aspired to build their careers with international companies because they offered professional development, broader perspectives, and the chance to learn from global best practices.
What started as an exciting career opportunity soon became much more. Over the years, I have been deeply involved in import and export operations, strengthened my professional expertise, improved my English skills, and gained valuable insight into the highly specialized tobacco industry.
But what truly kept me here was the opportunity to keep learning. Every stage of my career brought new challenges, new knowledge, and new people to learn from. Looking back, these experiences have shaped not only my professional career but also who I am today.
What do you value most when working with colleagues, and who has inspired you along the way?
Without hesitation: communication. Good communication is the foundation of successful collaboration. It helps us avoid misunderstandings, work more efficiently, and find solutions faster. This is something I learned early on from Mr. Zhou, who has been both a mentor and a trusted colleague for nearly 20 years. His influence has had a lasting impact on the way I approach my work. He was incredibly detail-oriented and taught me that quality comes from paying attention to even the smallest things. Every document had to be thoroughly reviewed before it left our office. Those lessons helped me develop discipline, precision, and a strong sense of responsibility. More importantly, he encouraged me to always look beyond the immediate task and consider the bigger picture, a mindset that continues to guide me today.
What is the most fulfilling part of your job? And what is the most challenging?
The most rewarding moments are often hidden inside the most complicated problems.
I genuinely enjoy taking a challenge that initially seems confusing or impossible and gradually turning it into a clear solution. There is something very satisfying about moving from uncertainty to clarity.
At the same time, the most challenging situations are often those where there is no roadmap. Starting something from zero can feel overwhelming.
When I face an unfamiliar challenge, I like to approach it systematically. First, I create a clear picture of the problem and its constraints. Then I break it into smaller parts and explore each area step by step. Finally, I identify the resources, people, and tools needed to move forward.
In many ways, creativity in business is not about having all the answers. It is about finding a path through the unknown.
What skills have you developed over the years that are most valuable today?
Throughout my career, I have worn many different hats. As Chairwoman of the Trade Union, I listen to employees' concerns and needs. As Office Director, I help turn management priorities into action. And as an Import and Export Manager, I work closely with customers, customs authorities, and logistics partners. While these roles are different, they have taught me an important lesson: success rarely comes from one department alone. The three skills I value most are integration, balance, and execution. The ability to connect perspectives, balance priorities, and turn ideas into action has helped me solve challenges that no single team could tackle alone.
What's the secret to balancing your different roles?
One of the biggest challenges is balancing the needs of employees with the needs of the business.
Naturally, employees want the best possible outcomes for themselves, while the company must focus on sustainable growth and long-term success. Sometimes those perspectives do not immediately align.
My role is often to act as a bridge between the two sides.
That requires empathy, listening, and finding common ground. Rather than focusing on who is right, I focus on how we can create a solution that benefits everyone. When people feel heard and respected, it becomes much easier to move toward a win-win outcome.
There were moments when I questioned what the future might hold. But becoming part of the delfort brought new energy and optimism to the company. It felt like a fresh start and opened new opportunities for growth. That was the moment I knew I wanted to continue my journey here.
If you had to describe your last 20 years with three words, what would they be? And what keeps you motivated today?
Rooting. Bridge. Witness.
These three words capture my journey perfectly.
- Rooting because I have grown alongside the company through my work in import and export management, office management, and the Trade Union, continuously learning and evolving along the way.
- Bridge because so much of my role is about connecting people, ideas, and departments, ensuring that communication and collaboration flow smoothly.
- And witness because I have had the privilege of experiencing the company's development firsthand, from challenges to milestones and new beginnings.
What keeps me motivated today is continuing to build those connections while finding smarter ways to work. I am particularly excited about using digital tools and data to better support employees, improve collaboration, and simplify complex processes, helping bring together the human, organizational, and operational sides of our business.
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