Waste management service : Head of Engineering and Operations Manager From 2023-01 To 2023-09
Duties
Strategic Leadership:
- Oversaw all engineering, innovation, and operational functions, leading a team of engineers, scientists, technical consultants, and operations personnel.
- Led business development and technical sales efforts, securing new clients, funding, and expanding the company's market reach.
Project Management & Innovation:
- Successfully delivered 7+ projects, including generator and Tricanter centrifuge installations, council submissions, and new feedstock processing designs.
- Designed and managed engineering projects, ensuring they were completed on time and within budget.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges.
Operational Excellence:
- Increased site throughput through bottleneck analysis and implemented process improvements.
- Managed the Plant Manager, Maintenance Manager, and Junior Process Engineer.
Sustainability Champion:
- Facilitated ISCC and REDcert audits and ensured compliance with DFFE audits.
- Played a supportive role in a large-scale environmental impact assessment (EIA).
- Calculated and reported greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain.
Financial Acumen:
- Supported the CEO in business decisions, strategy, and financial models. Managed site purchases, budgets, and logistics.
- Presented the business opportunity to prospective investors.
Senior Process Engineer & Technical Sales
September 2022 – December 2022
Role in biofuel waste management, secured new clients and waste streams, championed sustainable biofuel solutions, and managed projects (environmental, ISCC, water treatment) with strong technical skills (3D modelling, site purchases).
Process Leadership & Innovation:
- Managed a Junior Process Engineer and championed innovative solutions for waste stream utilization and biofuel production.
- Provided technical sales support and developed business development strategies, leading to the acquisition of new clients and feedstock streams.
Business Development & Client Acquisition:
- Identified and secured new business opportunities, expanding the client base and acquiring new feedstock streams.
- Developed SOPs to ensure efficient and standardized operations.
Project Management & Sustainability:
- Managed projects including environmental assessments, ISCC accreditation, and water treatment for a steam boiler, while promoting sustainable practices.
Biotechnology company : Engineering & Project Management Consultant From 2023-10 To Current
Duties
Providing process engineering and strategic consulting to a biotech startup specializing in transforming Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), which feed on food waste, into high-value animal feed additives and other resources. Successfully secured an international grant of $350,000 and contributed to multiple grant applications, business case development, and investor memos to support funding rounds.
Grant Funding & Investor Relations:
- Secured $350,000 in international grant funding and contributed to multiple grant applications to drive R&D and operational expansion.
- Developed comprehensive investor memos and business cases, aligning strategic goals with funding requirements and growth objectives for key funding rounds.
Process Optimization:
- Conducted a thorough review of Maltento’s processes, identifying bottlenecks and operational challenges.
- Delivered actionable recommendations to reconfigure production lines, improving cost-effectiveness and processing efficiency.
Equipment Selection & Throughput Improvement:
- Identified and recommended advanced capital equipment (homogenizers, filters, etc.) to enhance production efficiency, increase throughput, and achieve consistent particle size in final products.
Design & Development:
- Provided expertise in the design of washing plants, feedstock separation processes, and fire prevention/mitigation strategies.
- Contributed to the conceptualization and design of a scalable blueprint for a larger production facility, supporting the development of the company's intellectual property.
Project Management:
- Created detailed project plans, coordinated cross functional teams, and facilitated regular communication to align stakeholders and ensure progress.
- Managed process updates, validated new formulations, ensured compliance with HACCP and FSSC/ISO standards, and implemented quality control measures.
- Maintained thorough documentation, managed risks, and drove continuous improvement to achieve commercial production readiness.
Scalability & Market Expansion:
- Supported efforts to achieve commercial scalability, ensuring the facility meets increasing production demands.
- Enhanced market readiness by aligning operations with regulatory and customer requirements, enabling
- Maltento to expand its market reach effectively.
Consumer Products - FMCG : Process Engineer From 2017-03 To 2022-08
Duties
Excelled in project delivery, technical expertise (CAD, protocols, safety, etc.), and cost reduction (88% reduction in food waste returns, R6 million product recovery). My innovative spirit contributed to successful business concepts and R35 million+ in new product launches
Project Management & Delivery:
- Successfully executed multiple projects from concept to completion, delivering on time and within budget.
Technical Expertise:
- Demonstrated strong technical skills by documenting designs (CAD), writing protocols and specifications, and evaluating safety procedures.
Process Optimization & Cost Reduction:
- Reduced product returns by 88%, designed and implemented a project recovering R6 million/year in lost product, and established processes to meet production demands.
Innovation & Business Acumen:
- Developed and presented business cases for successful concepts, planned and designed plant layouts for R35 million+ for new product launches, and provided key information to senior management for major business decisions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Supported tenders for equipment purchases, aided in water treatment and anaerobic digester project development, and actively participated in new product trials and troubleshooting.
Candidate Chemical Engineer
July 2017 – March 2019
- As a Candidate Engineer, I excelled in process optimization and new product development, spearheading a project that saved the company R12.7 million annually and playing a key role in designing a R31.2 million process for a new product.
Process Optimization and Cost Reduction:
- Led a project to reduce cheese manufacturing and packaging losses, resulting in a 76% reduction and saving the company an estimated R12.7 million annually in product giveaways and losses.
New Product Development:
- Contributed to the design and execution of a R31.2 million process for a new product launch, including an innovative in-line blending system.
Process Engineering Expertise:
- Assisted in the commissioning of a new milk pasteurizer, showcasing strong process engineering knowledge.
Commercial Data Analyst
March 2017 – June 2017
Leveraged data analysis tools (Nielsen, Cognos, Spar Insight) and strong Excel skills to translate market data into clear, impactful reports and dashboards.
Developed monthly reports and interactive dashboards to communicate product performance across retailers and regions, informing strategic decision-making.
Manufacturer of chlorine, caustic : Vacation Student – Process Engineering From 2016-01 To 2016-02
Duties
Gained practical experience in process optimization through a project focused on optimizing a brine filtration system in a manufacturing plant.
Developed a comprehensive understanding of laboratory analysis methods and production processes.
Primary School, High School, nd Engineering
Undergraduate Tutor – Whilst Employed Full-Time
Teachme2 and Privately | August 2016 – February 2020 (3 Years, 7 Months)
Empowered students (primary to engineering undergraduate) across various subjects, particularly math and science, while effectively managing a busy schedule.