Jan de Koster

I am a motivated professional with more than twenty-six years of experience in Systems Design, Project Management, Business Process Improvement, and Engineering Management. I am currently looking for a working opportunity as a highly skilled migrant within the Netherlands.

My experience includes the following:

• Project engineering and line management of a product and support engineering group in an advanced engineering and development company;
• Strategic planning and business development as part of a line management function;
• Management of the development and establishment of a computerized process to aid the development of systems’ support and maintenance requirements, including Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETM) and Computer Based Training (CBT);
• Project planning of complex requirements into practical solutions and implementation without achievable schedules
• Compilation of bid and tender offers for engineering development and production offers ranging from medium-sized to very large projects.

My diverse skillset also includes excellent interpersonal skills enabling the development of positive relationships at all levels and a proven track record for providing exemplary customer service and quality results to organizations. I demonstrate an analytical, creative, and decisive approach to solving complex problems cane to demonstrate a willingness to embrace new challenges and adapt rapidly to changing environments whilst consistently delivering a high-quality work product within budget to schedule.

My parents were Dutch immigrants to South Africa and my home language was Dutch, but staying in South Africa my schooling and tertiary education were in English and Afrikaans. Therefore, I can read and understand Dutch and I know the Dutch culture.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have a vacancy available that fits or partially fits my profile for further discussion.

Engineering Contractor and Business Owner

03-2019 - Present | House Mulberry and Seabrook

• Guest House owner and manager.
• Restaurant owner and manager.
• Internet marketing of guest house accommodation, including setup and maintenance of websites (making use of booking.com and other booking platforms).
• Internet marketing of seaside holiday accommodation, including setup and maintenance of websites.
• Management of an in-house holiday accommodation rental agency.

Supportability, Quality and Safety Engineering Group Manager 

07.2005 – 02-2019 | Denel Dynamics (a division of Denel SOC Ltd)

• Line management of the facilities and group responsible for the supportability, quality and safety engineering execution of the company’s products/systems. Providing strategic and operational guidance on the company level in terms of supportability, quality and safety issues (including reliability and obsolescence management). This is done by promoting the Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) function whereby logistics support development is integrated with systems engineering during all phases of development, including the commissioning and operational phases. 
• Project management of the logistics support component of the development, production and implementation of a new generation air-to-air missile for the SA and Brazilian Air Forces, as well as other Denel Dynamics programmes, including a UAV system for local deployment.
• Management of the development and establishment of the computerised process of the extended database which captures all elements and aspects of a system’s support and maintenance requirements and its seamless integration with the processes to compile Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETM) and Computer Based Training (CBT).
• Strategic planning in terms of the logistic support development function to secure the company’s position throughout the full system/product life cycle. (From the proposal stage, through all development cycles, user operations and phase-out.) This included compiling company standards for the logistic support development process and creating awareness of the importance and value of the process within the company’s system engineering process.
• Execution of RCM, FMECA and related supportability analyses.
• Supportability safety engineering management for several missile development programmes, as well as for a major Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program.
• Line management and technical involvement in the safety certification of several missile systems during programme development and as preparation for flight tests. This includes line management and technical involvement in the airworthiness certification programme of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system.
• Part of the bid team for the proposal of a missile system for a foreign client (€320 Million).

Engineering and Project Management Services

04.2002 – 06.2005 | Private Capacity

• Managing Director: Sediba Technology Networx (Pty) Ltd – developing a repetitive RF-linked cable theft detection system for Spoornet’s overhead high voltage AC and DC traction lines.
• Founder member of SNX Community Services Telecommunication (Pty) Ltd. This company was one of three companies appointed by Cell C to assist with its obligation to roll-out 52 000 community services telephones (CST). This company is also a CST operator that presently concentrates its business in rural communities in Gauteng 
• Continuation of my role as project manager of the logistic support development for the Combat Suite of the new Patrol Corvettes for the SA NAVY on behalf of Waymark Infotech (previously Xcel Information Technologies) on their contract with African Defence Systems.

Logistics Support Development Engineer

12.1989 – 03.2002 | Xcel Information Technologies

(changed to Waymark Infotech)

• Line management of business unit (logistics engineering and software development group). This also implied the financial and marketing management of the business unit, including preparing tender responses, compiling proposals, compiling and presenting presentations to existing or new clients, and compiling and executing strategic/business plans.
• Project management by internationally accepted project management and system engineering principles.
• Project management of projects within the fields of industrial, systems and logistics engineering, as well as computer software development. 
• The project management of and execution of the system engineering process during the design, procurement, establishment and implementation of comprehensive electronic security and management information systems.
• Project management of software development processes.
• Project management of the implementation of computerised configuration management and documentation and data management system.
• Logistic support planning and management, including computer-aided maintenance management and support.
• Execution of logistics support analyses and compilation of logistics support analysis records.
• Establishment of management and project management processes and methodology.
• Supply chain logistics consultancy and project management.
• Development and execution of distribution logistics for the execution of the South African voters’ registration and elections. (Supply chain and call centre requirements).

 Manager Technology Establishment/Programme Manager

10.1987 – 11.1989 | Armscor Head Office

• The project/programme management of one large (R100M plus) and several smaller (R10M to R30M) programmes within the electronics, mechanical and optical engineering disciplines. This involved the establishment of technology, development and production of systems as well as the liaison with clients and suppliers within many sectors of the industry. These included the Armscor filials, the military sector and the private sector (both local and international).

Programmes Manager, Electronics Projects

01.1987 – 09.1987 | Laboratory of Advanced Engineering

University of Pretoria

• The project management and administration of a wide range of high-technology development projects for numerous industrial and military applications. 
• Computer-based project and financial management.

Sole Proprietor (Electronics Sales and Service)

05.1982 – 12.1986 | Chimes Radio & TV

• All facets of the management and administration of a business with technical and sales/administration employees.
• The repair, maintenance, installation and sale of sound, video and other electronic equipment.

Electronics Engineer / Project Manager

03.1980 – 04.1982 | G H Marais and Partners

Consulting Engineers

• Design, specification, testing and commissioning of electronic systems.
• Project management and administration of building services management systems and liaison with clients and contractors at middle and senior management levels.
• Electrical/electronics engineering and instrumentation-related consultancy.

Electronics Engineer

11-1978 – 02.1980 | Kentron (presently Denel Dynamics)

• Electronics systems design and development.
• Quality management of electronics systems production.
• Production scheduling and production management.

Electronics Engineer and Factory Manager

01.1977 – 10.1978 | Fuchs Electronics

(University of Pretoria)

• Design, development, production and quality management of electronic systems.
• Production quality control.
• General management of thick film electronic module factory.

Electronics Engineer (for professional registration)

01.1976 – 12.1976 | D J du Plooy Consulting Engineers, Perseus Computer Services

• Electrical reticulation design.
• Tender document compilation.
• Contract execution management and site (installation) supervision.
• Testing, repair, maintenance and commissioning of computer systems.
• Liaison with customers.

1972-1975

University of Pretoria  - B Sc Eng (Electrical) Cum Laude

1976-1977

University of Pretoria - B Sc Eng Hons (Electronics)

1988-199

University of South Africa - MBL (Master’s in Business Leadership)