Not everyone gets fired up about supplier relationships. We get it. You’ve got a bunch of jobs running, all at different stages, someone didn’t show up, products are on back order, and the client wants weekly photo updates. Talking about hot water systems and rep visits might not be high on your list.

But Jaymee’s story is another one worth sharing.

We’ve had some brilliant stories shared by women in construction on The Good Builder platform. This time, we’re hearing from the supplier side and it’s a ripper. Jaymee Tresize, National Sales Manager (Home Builders) at Stiebel Eltron, joined us to talk about what makes a builder good from the other side of the fence, and what it’s like breaking through in an industry where most of the meetings still lean one way.

Let’s meet Jaymee

Jaymee’s love for building started early and in a pretty unusual place.

“I think I could go back to say, even as a five-year-old, I was building homes on Sims on the PlayStation 1… The passion’s always been there.”

From a teenage gig at Masters Home Improvement, to climbing the ranks at Wattyl, Assa Abloy, and now Stiebel Eltron, Jaymee’s built a career by doing one thing well: showing up, being curious, and connecting with people, not just ticking boxes.

“While it may have all started with building houses on The Sims, it really evolved when I went on to study interior design, decoration, and building design. I could’ve chosen to pursue a direct career in the industry. But instead, working in various ”customer facing” roles as a teenager gave me a strong sense of purpose around providing value through service to others.” 

“The bonus now in my current role is that I get to work with home builders, a space where my passion for building design and decoration still plays a big role and flows through everything I do.“

“I didn’t pretend like I knew everything about everyone in all facets of the industry, but I was always curious to learn and understand.”

That mindset helped her earn trust early, even when she walked into meetings where she was the youngest person in the room and often the only woman.

Jaymee reckons a lot of builders still treat suppliers like order takers. They call when there’s a problem, not before.

When it comes to things like hot water, you could say that’s one of her specialties now, and that’s a big miss. New products, updated compliance codes, and shifting energy expectations mean builders need more than just a delivery. They need guidance. Fast.

“You’ve got to sit in the driver’s seat and own your journey. No one’s going to push you in the path. If you say one day that you want to be a CEO, no one’s just going to hand you that job.”

The same goes for how builders run their businesses. Waiting for something to go wrong before bringing in your supplier can cost you more than time. It can damage your rep.

“Collectively, we need to streamline things so there are no fires to put out in the beginning.”

Jaymee sees her job as helping builders stay ahead of that and the builders who embrace that thinking are the ones she sees doing it right.

According to a recent Master Builders report, over 60% of residential builders say they struggle to stay on top of compliance and product changes. It’s no wonder, as regulations are shifting faster than many can keep up with.

Jaymee’s focus at Stiebel Eltron is helping builders make sense of that complexity, particularly around heat pumps and renewable hot water systems. It’s technical, sure. But her approach isn’t.

“Even for myself, our products are very technical, and I’m not pretending I’m the expert. We’ve got engineers for that. My role is to build awareness and partnerships.”

Maybe that’s what more builders need. Not another spec sheet. A partner from the get-go, not just someone to troubleshoot with.

A couple of takeaways – from the Supplier’s POV

Jaymee’s biggest advice for builders? Stay true to your values. If you say you build with quality, show it in the details, and treat your suppliers like part of your team.

“If you’re going to build your brand on certain values like quality or sustainability, then great… but what does that actually mean to you?”

“A good builder should really be educating the homeowners about the great quality products they’re putting into the build.”

“People like to throw out words like ‘quality’ or ‘sustainable’, but I like to understand what those values actually mean to that builder.”

When it comes to quality, Jaymee shared her perspective,

“Quality for me is a benchmark term – everyone has their own version of what “quality” means to them, and most measure themselves against that. I’m not just chasing to deliver quality, I’m chasing excellence.“

“For me it’s about constantly evolving, learning, and raising the bar. Whether that’s through product, service, or the relationships I build along the way. It’s making sure what we deliver not only meets expectations but genuinely adds value to the individual or their company outcomes.“

Jaymee’s also big on helping younger people, especially women, find their way into the industry. For her, it’s not about ticking a diversity box. It’s about purpose and discipline.

“Waking up at 4am to go to the gym and get my day started, that discipline shows up in everything else I do.”

Next time you’re chatting with your supplier or ignoring their call, ask yourself: are they part of the team, or am I keeping them at arm’s length?

It could be time to shift the mindset from “I’ll let you know if I need something” to “Here’s what we’re trying to achieve, can you help?”

Like Jaymee said,

“You meet some really cool people when you bring it back to human connection instead of just business-to-business.”

That might be worth a shot.

Keep an ear out, too! Jaymee’s full podcast episode drops soon. We’re proud to be sharing more real stories from the people shaping construction from all sides.

Keen to learn more?

Keen to meet Jaymee and the team, and catch up with The Good Builder crew?

We’ll be heading along to this relaxed afterwork event on Wednesday, May 14 from 3–7pm at STIEBEL ELTRON in Port Melbourne. With expert insights on ventilation, NCC 2025 changes, and how to build healthier homes, plus cold drinks, canapés, and casual vibes, it’s a great chance to connect, learn, and stay ahead. In our favourite style, the event speakers will cut through the jargon and share real-world insights to help you deliver healthier, more efficient buildings.

For more information, click here.

Author: Jonathan Tibbits

Starting his career as a lawyer, Jonathan transitioned into project management, compliance, and certification for companies throughout the industry supply chain in Australia and New Zealand. With international experience in green building, sustainability and stakeholder communication, he is passionate about innovation and building transparency and trust.