Samukelisiwe Madzhie

Engineering Manager with 17+ years' experience leading mechanical and electrical engineering functions in FMCG, petrochemical, energy, water, and infrastructure environments, accountable for asset portfolios of approximately R1.2 billion and CAPEX budgets of up to R300 million. Proven record of improving plant reliability, reducing unplanned downtime, and ensuring statutory compliance (GMR 2.1, GCC). Trusted by executive leadership to stabilize high-risk assets, lead multidisciplinary teams, and deliver sustainable operational performance through strong governance, people development, and data-driven decision-making.

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING HOD (ENGINEERING MANAGER EQUIVALENT) at KITSO BOTLHALE CONSULTING ENGENEERS (2024-01 – Present)

• Lead mechanical and electrical engineering delivery for large-scale housing, water treatment works, and infrastructure projects including the Bloemwater Wastewater Upgrade and Fort Beaufort Treatment Works.
• Serve as Technical Advisor to Johannesburg Water's Non-Revenue Water programme supporting system efficiency and loss reduction initiatives.
• Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams and external consultants, ensuring compliance with statutory and client requirements.
• Establish engineering governance, work processes, and performance management systems across concurrent project portfolios.
• Drive safety, quality, cost, and schedule adherence across multiple projects with combined capital values exceeding R400m+.

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER at MET63 (2023-01 – 2024-12)

• Led development of engineering methods, standards, and design assurance processes for metallurgical plant projects.
• Supervised internal and external design teams and provided technical authority during execution and commissioning phases.
• Supported client engagement across design, construction, and operations handover.

REGIONAL ENGINEERING MANAGER at COCA COLA BEVRAGE SOUTH AFRICA (2021-01 – 2023-12)

• Accountable for engineering governance, asset reliability, and statutory compliance across multiple coastal packaging plants, overseeing asset portfolios of approximately R1.2 billion.
• Appointed GMR 2.1 responsible for legal compliance, risk management, and engineering standards.
• Led audits, loss analysis, and downtime investigations, implementing corrective actions that achieved an estimated 50% reduction in unplanned downtime and improved plant availability.
• Managed engineering budgets, CAPEX planning, and contractor performance with capital expenditure portfolios of up to R300 million.
• Developed engineering scorecards and dashboards to support performance visibility and decision-making.
• Led training needs analysis and capability development for engineering and maintenance teams comprising approximately 20 direct reports and 30 indirect staff.

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER / ACTING TURBO AND ROTATING EQUIPMENT AREA MANAGER at SASOL (2019-01 – 2021-12)

• Led mechanical engineering plant support for refining assets valued at approximately R1.2 billion, providing senior technical authority on equipment integrity and risk decisions.
• Took accountability for service-damaged pressure and rotating equipment, determining fitness-for-service and shutdown requirements.
• Acted as Area Manager for Turbo and Rotating Equipment, managing maintenance execution, contractors, and shutdown readiness for teams of approximately 20 direct and 30 indirect personnel.
• Established and improved shutdown planning and execution practices to enhance safety and equipment availability.
• Developed engineering standards and integrity management tools to support informed asset management decisions.
• Built strong working relationships with senior management, operations, and inspection authorities.

PROJECT MANAGER at SASOL (2017-01 – 2019-12)

• Led full lifecycle delivery of complex BD&I capital projects, acting as single point of accountability for scope, cost, schedule, safety, and quality performance.
• Directed multidisciplinary engineering teams, contractors, and stakeholders through structured design governance, risk management, and contracting strategies (EPC/EPCM/LSTK).
• Controlled budgets, cash flow, change management, and compliance within PMBOK/NEC3 frameworks to ensure safe, on-time, and cost-effective project execution.

PROJECT ENGINEER at TONGAAT HULETT - STARCH (2015-01 – 2017-12)

• Delivered capital projects and engineering improvements within food and agro-processing facilities.
• Implemented process optimization and reliability initiatives, reducing maintenance costs and improving plant performance.
• Led multidisciplinary teams with strong focus on safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

PROJECT ENGINEER at SCORPION MINERAL PROCESSING (2012-01 – 2015-12)

MECHANICAL SITE ENGINEER at MURRAY & ROBERTS PROJECTS (2010-01 – 2012-12)

SYSTEM ENGINEER at ESKOM – MATLA POWER STATION (2008-01 – 2010-12)

ENGINEER IN TRAINING at UMNGENI WATER BOARD (2007-01 – 2008-12)

MASTERS IN ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT in Engineering Management – University of Pretoria (2012-01 – 2016-12)

BACHELORS DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING in Mechanical Engineering – University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (2002-01 – 2007-12)