Experience

• 

  DRAGONS SPORTS

  • Cape Town

  • Technical and R&D manager

    • Sep 2022 - Present
    • Cape Town

• 

  DARRVIN Electric & Ebikes Africa

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Managing Director

    • Feb 2018 - Present
    • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

    • Design and development of a proprietary range of branded quality electric bicycles to compete in active local and international market.• Full cycle development from production and component supply chain to quality control to product readiness for distribution to dealers and end user market. • Structuring of e commerce systems and growing sales through a dedicated dealer and distribution base including direct sales and aftermarket support.• Marketing through social media and other platforms communicating directly with the end user. • Manage and control full operations from budgeting, costing, shipping and clearing to warehousing, inventory, management systems, HR and distribution.• Managing a bicycle lease company with subscription customers, vetting clients, arranging shipping, service, insurance and returns.

• 

  EbikesAfrica and Bike and Saddle

  • Managing Director

    • 2019 - Jan 2021

    Executive Director of all operations

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  Dragons Sports

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Chief Operations Officer

    • 2016 - Feb 2019
    • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

    ▪ Playing a key role in strategic decision making and development of policies and processes ▪ Maintaining and reporting on structures in place and providing feedback on efficiency and compliance▪ Building, managing, developing, training and leading a cross-functional team▪ Compiling and managing project teams, ensuring integration across functions and departments▪ Providing support to the Marketing Department and managing ad hoc marketing projects ▪ Supporting Brand Managers with technical issues, conceptualisation of branding initiatives, customer service and warranty management, communications protocol and logistical support▪ Guiding administration, sales, warehousing and service departments to ensure operational efficiency▪ Procurement process management, negotiating with local and international suppliers ▪ Inventory management, and investigating and resolving any operational issues in relation to stock items▪ Planning and coordinating all marketing, sales, PR and promotional events, events resource planning and selection of event teams comprising staff and external contractors▪ Maintaining a fundamental understanding of the market and client and supplier base through research and developing key relationships within the industry▪ Presenting at sales and marketing events and delivering new product presentations to media and the distribution channel▪ Attending international trade shows and conferences and partaking in product and technical training from international experts* Accredited Electric Bike Mechanic and as such presented training seminars to independent dealers and workshop staff▪ Coordinating Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, working with NGOs to support community upliftment and cycling advocacy programmes ▪ Handling a large volume of product, service, warranty and general operational queries, requiring immediate decision making

• 

  Bike & Saddle

  • Cape Town

  • Management Consultant (freelance)

    • Jan 2016 - Apr 2016
    • Cape Town

    ▪ Developing operational strategy, procedures and systems ▪ Guiding and motivating staff to ensure effective implementation of operational processes▪ Creating a systemised management platform to consolidate company operations including bookings and order management, budget management, logistics and events planning etc.▪ Developing a database of current and historical partners and service providers to facilitate sales management and relationship building to improve revenue

• 

  Dragons Sports

  • Product and Brand Manager: Giant and Suntour Brands

    • 2012 - 2015

    ▪ Ensuring effective management, growth and evolution of the Giant and Suntour brands ▪ Maintaining an up to date knowledge of the market and new technologies to predict trends and facilitate continual product innovation▪ Product range review and range planning to ensure market penetration and market share growth, working closely with suppliers to develop ranges which meet local market demands▪ Attending trade shows to represent the company’s brands and interact with clients, reporting on these events with recommendations to influence decision making and brand strategy▪ Coordinating and negotiating sponsorship for athletes and brand ambassadors▪ Involved in the planning and opening of independent concept stores ▪ Ordering and managing marketing material and shop fittings▪ Maintaining an excellent knowledge and insight of technical specifications and product features and translating these into sales propositions ▪ Working with the Marketing Department in the design and development of marketing material and product catalogues and the planning of events in line with global strategies▪ Planning and executing product launches and seminars (and presenting at seminars)▪ Attending exhibitions, international trade shows, and sales and dealer training workshops▪ Developing dealer networks to support sales efforts▪ Managing social network platforms to engage end users

  • Account Manager / Technical Adviser / Service and Warranty Manager

    • 2007 - 2015

    ▪ Running the department responsible for receiving, processing and completing any service and warranty related items▪ Resource planning and capacity building to ensure an extensive and impeccable after sales service and warranty back-up▪ Motivating staff to ensure an accurate, quick and efficient turnaround of stock returned, whilst providing the best customer service in the industry▪ Maintaining relationships with independent and corporate dealers, suppliers, factories and manufacturers and their agents▪ Providing technical training to staff, sales representatives and dealers▪ Creating technical specification sheets for bicycle ranges▪ Reading technical drawings and advising on designs and adaptations to suit company and market requirements▪ Resolving escalated complaints from clients and end-users as well as any service or warranty related issues and technical queries▪ Arranging and tracking warranty credits, reimbursements and replacements due to the company▪ Ordering and managing service stock for all brands ▪ Performing advanced diagnostics and product repairs

• 

  Hatfield Cycle Works

  • Pretoria

  • Owner / Managing Director

    • 1996 - 2007
    • Pretoria

    ▪ Developing business strategy and all operational processes▪ Designing the retail business and service centre structure▪ Researching, identifying and implementing business growth opportunities▪ Financial planning and management: managing the budget, financing, cash flow projections and accounts▪ Building and leading a team consisting of up to 9 full time staff and 5 casual staff▪ Human resource management: employment contracts, recruitment and selection, training, performance management, appraisal, disciplinary action and salaries / wages▪ Negotiating and managing lease agreements ▪ Procurement, order management and stock control▪ Conceptualising and developing all marketing including promotions, merchandising and signage▪ Overseeing all sales activity▪ Facilities management and maintenance