A graduate of the Maritime Academy in Gdynia and the Technological-Agricultural Academy in Bydgoszcz, he spent a number of years after finishing his studies as an officer in western civilian fleets. After this he went into private business (housing) and public service. He was a board member in many state-run oil corporations.
After the resignation of Maritime Economy Minister Rafał Wiechecki on 13 August 2007, Prime Minister Kaczyński named Gróbarczyk as the new minister. During his speech, Kaczyński mistakenly spelled the new minister's name as Ogarczak.[2]