Fiona Melk

Operations-focused EHS and Technical Safety Lead with 20+ years' experience across manufacturing, FMCG, mining, sales and distribution environments. I bring a unique blend of plant-based EHS leadership, Technical and Machine Safety risk management, and direct exposure to daily operational decision-making. My career spans multi-site manufacturing operations, where I have partnered closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Projects, sales & Logistics teams to stabilize performance, strengthen systems and embed safety into production, asset reliability and commercial execution.

I am experienced in ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 implementation, Technical & Machine Safety, FM Global alignment, and risk governance across site based and mobile operations. I am recognized for leading teams through transition, rebuilding trust and accountability, and improving culture in complex environments. I bring structured, people-centered leadership style that supports operational continuity, risk reduction and sustainable performance.

I am currently expanding my operational capability through hand-on support and shadowing of operations management, preparing for operations leadership roles.

EHS Manager (Acting): Isando Manufacturing Plant - PepsiCo - Isando

(2025-09)

Lead the site's EHS strategy while supporting plant leadership through structured exposure to daily operations, production performance, and cross-functional decision-making.

• Support Site Operations & Leadership during daily operations meetings, production troubleshooting and workflow optimization.
• Strengthen alignment between EHS, Operations, Engineering and Maintenance.
• Lead implementation of ISO 45001 & ISO 14002 Management System and Legal requirements.
• Drive Behavioral safety culture and embed accountability across operational teams.
• Lead incident investigations, risk assessments and action plan management.
• Manage performance dashboards and data-driven reporting for operational and safety metrics.
• Provide leadership presence on production areas to support team discipline & culture.

Divisional EHS Lead – Grains & Fruit Division - PepsiCo

(2021-09 - 2025-08)

Provide strategic EHS leadership for seven production mills, supporting plant performance, people capability, compliance and system optimization.

• Divisional EHS Leadership aligned to operational priorities across multiple plants.
• Partnered with engineering and operations to implement technical safety systems (P&IDs, HAZOPs, FM Global compliance).
• Partnered with Engineering, Maintenance & Projects teams to integrate safety frameworks into design, modifications and operational changes.
• FM alignment and technical risk reduction initiatives.
• Coaching Site EHS Leads and operational teams to upskill EHS capability by embedding EHS requirements into daily operational routines.
• Developed and deployed the Warrior Campaign – to drive EHS excellence.
• Engaged & supported Operations and Supply Chain Directors to drive data-informed strategies for incident reduction.

EHS Manager: Sales Operations + Fleet safety - PepsiCo

(2020-03 - 2021-08)

Provided EHS leadership across sales, distribution and fleet operations, ensuring safe, compliant and uninterrupted commercial execution across a geographically dispersed, mobile workforce.

• Led EHS governance for sales & distribution operations, integrating safety and risk management into daily commercial activities and route execution.
• Accountable for fleet safety strategy, including driver risk management, incident investigation, vehicle standards and legal compliance across high-mobility environment.
• Partnered with sales Leadership, Logistics & operations to align EHS requirements with performance targets and customer delivery commitments.
• Led investigation and management of vehicle incidents, driver behaviour risks and road safety exposures, ensuring corrective actions and business legal protection.
• Led Covid-19 response and business continuity planning for Sales and Distribution division, ensuring uninterrupted commercial operations while protecting a geographically dispersed, mobile workforce.

EHS Specialist: Isando Manufacturing Site - PepsiCo - Isando

(2018-08 - 2020-02)

• Maintained legal EHS compliance for the production site.
• Delivered safety training to Front Line Managers, improving safety behaviors and site engagement.
• Launched Behavior-Based Safety and waste segregation programs, contributing to site efficiency and regulatory performance.

Occupational Hygienist / MHSA Sect. 12.1 Appointee - Samancor Chrome, TC Smelter

(2017-02 - 2018-07)

• Managed operational hygiene compliance including program design and quarterly reporting.
• Collaborated with plant leadership to integrate hygiene insights into production planning and personnel safety.

SHEQ Business Partner (Construction Operations) - Blue Steel Development

(2016-10 - 2017-01)

• Directed safety and quality for multiple construction projects.
• Conducted audits and advised project managers.
• Drove compliance and operational SHEQ strategies in high-risk environments.

Occupational Hygiene Manager - Eskom: Rotek and Roshcon

(2006-11 - 2015-05)

• Managed at national level the occupational hygiene programs, audits, and emergency preparedness strategies.
• Established a SANAS-registered Occupational Hygiene Laboratory.

Occupational Health & Hygiene Specialist - Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd

(2000-12 - 2006-10)

• Delivered audits, verifications, and capacity building across various operations sites.
• Developed strategies to align occupational health & hygiene with long-term productivity.

Occupational Hygiene Assistant - Transnet Chemical Services

(1999-02 - 2000-11)

• Conducted industrial hygiene monitoring and contributed to program improvements.

B-Tech - Environmental Health - Technikon Witwatersrand (1999-01 - 2001-12)

National Diploma - Environmental Health - Technikon Witwatersrand (1996-01 - 1998-12)

Post Graduate Certificate - Management Advancement Program - Wits Business School (2011-01 - 2011-12)