Head of Engineering at Afripack (2023-06 – Present)
Reason for Leaving: Company undergoing section 189
- Overseeing all engineering functions, including maintenance, projects, automation, and process improvement
- Leading and mentoring a team of engineers and technical staff to ensure high performance and professional growth
- Developing and implementing engineering strategies aligned with business objectives
- Managing capital expenditure projects, from concept through design to commissioning
- Ensuring all machinery and equipment are maintained to optimize uptime and reliability
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
- Ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards within the engineering department
- Collaborating with production, quality, and operations teams to support manufacturing excellence
- Introducing and integrating new technologies to maintain a competitive edge
- Managing relationships with suppliers, contractors, and service providers for engineering services
- Establishing preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime
- Monitoring engineering KPIs and reporting on performance, risks, and opportunities for improvement
Maintenance Manager at RCL Foods (2021-09 – 2023-06)
- Managing risk and maintaining asset management integrity
- Implementing an optimum maintenance mix as part of the overall maintenance strategy
- Identifying opportunities for increased production capacity
- Planning and executing capacity development projects
- Measuring and sustaining improved operational capability
- Managing repairs and maintenance budgets effectively
- Ensuring equipment availability through adherence to planned preventative maintenance schedules
- Managing engineering stores to ensure critical spares are ordered and available to minimize plant downtime
- Liaising with service providers and spares suppliers to support maintenance and operational needs
- Managing human resources within the engineering department
- Recruiting and selecting skilled technical talent
- Facilitating training and development programs for engineering staff
- Conducting performance management and reviews
- Providing effective leadership to artisans, technicians, and engineering teams
- Creating and maintaining KPIs for technical staff to monitor performance
- Executing engineering projects and capital expenditure initiatives (CAPEX)
- Preparing and motivating CAPEX applications for approval
- Placing orders for new machinery and overseeing installation and commissioning
- Collaborating with production, quality, and operations teams to support manufacturing excellence
- Introducing and integrating new technologies to maintain a competitive edge
- Managing relationships with suppliers, contractors, and service providers for engineering services
- Establishing preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime
- Monitoring engineering KPIs and reporting on performance, risks, and opportunities for improvement
- Planning and implementing engineering projects to support business goals
- Evaluating project outcomes and effectiveness
- Supporting breakthrough improvement initiatives across operations
- Addressing health, safety, and environmental responsibilities
- Conducting health and safety inspections as the designated GMR 2.1
- Participating in food safety audits and ensuring compliance
- Performing all statutory plant inspections and ensuring regulatory compliance
- Participating in health and safety audits and driving corrective actions to address findings
Maintenance Manager at Rhodes Food Group (2018-02 – 2021-08)
- Same Duties as RCL Foods position
Maintenance Manager at Tiger Brands (2015-02 – 2018-01)
- Overseeing risk management and ensuring the integrity of asset management systems
- Recognizing and acting on opportunities to boost plant capacity
- Leading the planning and rollout of capacity enhancement projects
- Maintaining high levels of plant availability through effective execution of planned maintenance
- Controlling engineering stores and managing the timely procurement of spare parts
- Engaging and coordinating with external suppliers and service providers to support operations
- Handling recruitment and selection of technical personnel to build a strong engineering team
- Developing team capabilities through targeted training and upskilling initiatives
- Providing strong, hands-on leadership to drive team performance and accountability
- Drafting and submitting capital expenditure proposals for strategic investment in equipment and infrastructure
- Managing the end-to-end delivery of engineering projects from planning through to evaluation
- Planning and implementing engineering projects to support business goals
- Evaluating project outcomes and effectiveness
- Supporting breakthrough improvement initiatives across operations
- Addressing health, safety, and environmental responsibilities
- Conducting health and safety inspections as the designated GMR 2.1
- Participating in food safety audits and ensuring compliance
- Performing all statutory plant inspections and ensuring regulatory compliance
- Participating in health and safety audits and driving corrective actions to address findings
- Measuring project success and supporting high-impact improvement initiatives across operations
- Fulfilling responsibilities as the appointed GMR 2.1, ensuring legal and safety compliance
- Acting as Chairperson of the Health and Safety Committee, overseeing safety initiatives
- Ensuring timely resolution of health and safety audit findings and corrective actions
- Appointing and training health and safety representatives and fire marshals
- Conducting regular health and safety inspections throughout the plant
- Actively participating in food safety audits and maintaining compliance with standards
- Carrying out all legally required plant inspections and ensuring documentation is up to date
- Working with audit teams to close out health and safety findings effectively
Factory Manager at Value Cement (2014-04 – 2015-01)
Junior Engineer at ASA Metals (2012-01 – 2014-03)
Maintenance Planner at ASA Metals (2008-10 – 2011-12)
Maintenance Planner at Mondi Business Paper (2008-01 – 2008-09)
Asset Care Engineer at PRAGMA Africa (2007-05 – 2007-12)
Junior Engineer at Nampak Flexibles (2006-01 – 2007-04)
Maintenance Planner at Nampak Flexibles (2004-07 – 2005-12)
Graduate Trainee at Nampak Flexibles (2003-05 – 2004-06)
