One to Watch finalist Spotlight: Sophie Cooper
From meat science and feedlot operations to export sales, Sophie Cooper has built her career by gaining firsthand experience across the beef supply chain.
Today, as Export Sales Officer at Kilcoy Global Foods, she draws on that experience to help strengthen Australia's reputation in international markets, working closely with customers to create value from every carcase while showcasing the quality of Australian beef.
A finalist in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia One to Watch Award, proudly supported by HR Legal, Sophie combines technical knowledge, commercial insight and strong industry relationships to identify new opportunities and support the continued growth of Australia's beef industry.
One of Sophie's recent achievements has been leading the expansion of Kilcoy Global Foods' beef business from its Lance Creek facility, Establishment 1912, into the Japanese and South Korean markets.
Following the purchase and redevelopment of the site, Sophie was responsible for helping reintroduce Establishment 1912 to international customers while maintaining the reputation of the Kilcoy Blue Diamond brand. Her objective was to achieve the same market value for products produced at Establishment 1912 as equivalent products from Kilcoy Global Foods' established processing facility.
By onboarding new customers, expanding market opportunities and encouraging greater utilisation of the carcase through new product streams, Sophie has contributed to increased revenue and the continued growth of the business.
For Sophie, listening to customers and colleagues has been central to that success.
"Encouraging and implementing customer and colleague feedback and advice has been a major contributor to achieving the measurable outcomes of this project and continues to ensure the growth and longevity of Est 1912 through producing beef the world loves to eat."
Sharing knowledge is another part of Sophie's career that she finds especially rewarding.
At the Young Beef Producers Forum in Roma, she delivered an education session on carcase breakdown, cut identification and how different cuts are valued across global markets. Her aim was to encourage young producers to think beyond the farm gate and explore the diverse careers available throughout the meat supply chain.
The experience left a lasting impression.
"This experience was truly rewarding and a full-circle moment of inspiration realised for me when a young girl approached me and expressed that she really enjoys the industry and would one day like to have a job like mine."
For Sophie, inspiring the next generation is an important responsibility.
"I believe it's important to share the industry with the next generation, to ensure there are professionals that can replace you and continue on with the great work of predecessors, learn from them and apply those lessons towards industry improvement and their own unique career progression."
Working in export sales also means responding to constant change.
From shifting tariffs and market access to disease outbreaks and product variability, every day presents new challenges. Rather than focusing on what cannot be controlled, Sophie approaches each situation with curiosity, collaboration and a solutions-focused mindset.
"Identifying what can be controlled when presented with a challenge is a large part of the process I go through when overcoming. To accept what is and work towards improving, changing and/or mitigating what can be to achieve the best outcome given the situation."
Looking to the future, Sophie believes innovation and collaboration will play an important role in ensuring Australia's meat industry remains globally competitive.
She sees significant opportunities to improve processing efficiency through artificial intelligence, robotics and smarter supply chain systems, while also finding new ways to maximise the value of every carcase.
She also believes stronger collaboration across the supply chain will help deliver better outcomes for producers, processors and customers alike.
"For our industry to work towards producing a more consistent, quality product and essentially futureproof our industry, collaboration and transfer of knowledge along the supply chain needs to be actioned."
Sophie's passion for the industry began early, watching her parents work as graziers, and has continued to grow as she has experienced every stage of the beef supply chain.
"Motivation is contagious and I have gained mine from determined, passionate, skilled, innovative, adaptive, selfless people of the meat community that empower me to contribute in the same way."
Today, she is driven by the opportunity to help build on that legacy and ensure Australian beef continues to be recognised around the world.
"I am so proud of the Australian meat industry and work to ensure that future generations also have something to be proud of."
We congratulate Sophie on being named a finalist in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia One to Watch Award and look forward to celebrating alongside all finalists at the Australian Gender Representation Report Insights & Awards Evening on 28 July at the RACV City Club, Melbourne, where the winner will be announced.
Celebrate with us in Melbourne
Sophie is one of five outstanding finalists in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia One to Watch Award. You can catch up on our 'Spotlight Series' here.
The winner will be announced at the MBW Australia Gender Representation Report Insights & Awards Evening on Tuesday, 28 July, at the RACV Club, Melbourne.
Join industry leaders from across the meat and food supply chain for an evening of networking, thought-provoking insights from the 2026 Gender Representation Report and the celebration of women helping shape the future of our industry.
Tickets are on sale now.
One to Watch Award Proudly supported by HR Legal
HR Legal is proud to support the Meat Business Women One to Watch Award, recognising emerging female leaders across the meat and food supply chain.
The latest Gender Representation Report highlights that women represent just 32% of the meat and poultry workforce, reinforcing the need for targeted action to strengthen the leadership pipeline.
At HR Legal, we partner with manufacturing and supply chain employers to build compliant, high-performing workplaces and address workforce challenges practically. Supporting initiatives like the One to Watch Award helps recognise potential early, invest in emerging talent and build a more sustainable, future-ready industry.
