Experience

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  Panafrican Equipment Group

  • United Arab Emirates
  • Machinery Manufacturing
  • 100 - 200 Employee

  • General Manager - Panafrican Equipment Kenya Ltd

    • Jan 2023 - Present

  • Group Sales Manager

    • Apr 2017 - Dec 2022

    Member of Group Executive Management Team, reporting to the Group CEO and Group Director of Sales and MarketingDevelop annual business plan and strategy for multiple regions representing German (Wirtgen Group) and Japanese (Komatsu) manufacturers of heavy capital equipment used in mining, oil and gas, heavy infrastructure, road construction, and agricultureRevenue Compounded Annual Growth Rate of 56% over a 3-year period managing a sales budget of more than $35m per annumAchieved exponential, profitable market share increases in heavy equipment industrySecured financed sales by establishing credit lines across multiple territories using Export Credit InsuranceManage OEM floor plan financing programs of approximately €4m from Wirtgen GroupSecured several package sales deals with major multinational construction firms, with highly successful delivery and commissioning processes executionLead and manage sales organization of 17 sales professionals and 1 sales administrator, coordinating with 5 technical service support engineers, across multiple countries, cultures, and currenciesHeavy focus on maximizing after-sales profit opportunities by offering customized, solutions-oriented equipment packages coupled with extensive after-sales product support goods and servicesContract management and review for capital equipment sales and after-sales supportSupply chain management of heavy capital equipment to achieve inventory turn and ROA (return on assets) targets, coordinating multiple stakeholders to satisfy regional demand vs. factory production, lead time, shipping, and importation of equipment into complex territoriesTerritory: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone

  • Regional Sales Manager

    • Oct 2014 - Mar 2017

    Member of Regional Management Team reporting to the Regional CEOIdentified by the Regional CEO as best candidate for Regional Sales Manager position despite no prior roles in heavy equipment sales due to my natural sales-focused mentality, people management skills, and technical aptitudeDefined business plan and strategy for East Africa, establishing new branch and sales organizationGrew revenue and profitability, increased customer base and strengthened customer relationships by leading Panafrican’s product launch of Wirtgen Group products in East Africa and integrating into the existing organization and processesCustomer acquisition of international contractors on infrastructure projects through staff training and motivationIntroduced robust contract management processManaged and trained a team of 14 skilled heavy equipment sales professionals and 4 technical service engineers across 5 countries and multiple currencies, cultures, and time zones

  • Regional Chief Financial Officer – East Africa

    • May 2013 - Sep 2014

    Member of Regional Management team reporting to the Regional CEO and Group CFORegional Head of Finance, P&L and working capital management for 4 operating companies, managing 11 finance/accounting professionals in 2 countries (Kenya and Tanzania)Worked together with the then recently hired Regional CEO to develop and lead a turnaround strategy to restore profitability and positive cashflow to the regionDefined strategy and executed business plan for entire East Africa region jointly with Regional CEOManagement of people strategy, succession planning and performance managementMentoring, development, coaching, and development of finance/accounting staffReview of contracts and taking corrective action to re-negotiate non-profitable contracts

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  Altech Radio Holdings (Pty) Ltd (Member of the Altron Group)

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Group Finance Director

    • May 2010 - Apr 2013
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    I was the Head of Finance of diversified telecommunications group, with 3 operating and financial divisions and managed a Finance Department with a combined company turnover of $38 million per annum. I held the position of Alternate Director at Altech Radio Holdings from 2012 - 2013 and was Financial Manager Altech Fleetcall from 2010 - 2013.My responsibilities included:□ Membership of Altech Radio Holdings (Pty) Ltd Audit and Risk Committee.□ Developing new product sets, pricing strategies and financial modelling.□ Ensuring IFRS compliance and adopting new standards.□ Implementing key value propositions relating to the telecommunication industry.□ Sales and marketing involvement with customer interface and industry research.□ Analysing and managing risk.□ Strategic planning, intent and execution.□ Developing scenarios for product and customer expansion.□ Ensuring regulatory compliance and processing submissions.□ Utilising knowledge on King 3, corporate governance, competition and Consumer Protection Act.☑ See a list of my Achievements attached.✍ See details on Case Study (Project) below.

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  Crabtree Electrical Accessories (Member of the Altron Group)

  • Germiston, South Africa / Maseru, Lesotho

  • Financial Manager

    • Aug 2007 - Apr 2010
    • Germiston, South Africa / Maseru, Lesotho

    I dealt with the financial management of manufacturing company, with 7 sub divisions and a company turnover of $30 million per annum.My responsibilities included:□ Membership of Crabtree Electrical Accessories Audit and Risk Committee.□ Attending Quarterly Board and monthly Exco meetings□ Business analysis and understanding channel to market by providing dashboard to analysis.□ Strategically focussing on various different product groups.□ Producing accurate and timeous monthly management reports.□ Managing the annual statutory audit process.□ Standard costing and manufacturing experience.□ Budgeting, managing internal controls and ensuring IFRS compliance.□ Managing all corporate tax affairs of the organisation.□ Interfacing with the sales organisation and Finance Department.□ Performed mini-consolidation of the Sub group which the company was part of.ACHIEVEMENTS☑ Reduced reporting time with system automation.☑ Created entire new sales reporting framework and target based commission.☑ Successfully implemented cost reduction initiatives (saving $360k) and headcount reduction.☑ Presented budget to Board and obtained acceptance thereof on first attempt.☑ Reduced inventory by $3 million over a 12 month period, reducing stock days by 40.☑ Coached, mentored and developed direct reports resulting in improved productivity.☑ Provided MS Excel training to colleagues.☑ Internally transferred in diversified group into a position better suited for my skills and abilities.

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  Tridonic SA (Pty) Ltd (Member of the Altron Group)

  • Boksburg, South Africa

  • Head Of Finance

    • Jul 2006 - Jul 2007
    • Boksburg, South Africa

    I dealt with the financial management of an import distributor with a company turnover of $5 million per annum.My responsibilities included:□ Membership of Tridonic SA Audit and Risk Committee.□ Attending Quarterly Board and monthly Exco meetings. □ Functioning in a highly competitive environment, OEM and replacement markets.□ Understanding the import process of products, freight forwarding and clearing.□ Defining and executing business strategy.□ Identifying complementary products to enhance the revenue line of the organisation□ Interacting with customers and understanding their requirements.□ Supply and value chain management.□ Reporting financial information to Austria.□ Standing in for the Managing Director when travelling or out of the office.ACHIEVEMENTS☑ Compiled annual financial statements and ensured IFRS and internal control compliance.☑ Changed costing from FIFO to average costing, resulting in 20% increase in stock availability.☑ Oversaw major technology change and stopped company from making losses.☑ Reduced reporting time by 5 days with system automation.☑ Successfully relocated financial function from Cape Town to Gauteng.☑ Customer interaction resulted in improved lead times, better provisioning of inventory and fulfilment of customer requirements, resulting in profitable revenue line growth in appropriate product lines. Electronic product sales increased by 40%.☑ Reduced debtors’ book by 15 days and reduced overdue provision.☑ Reduced inventory levels by 8 days without affecting customer service levels.☑ Improved working capital cycle.☑ Presented budget to Board and obtained acceptance thereof on first attempt.☑ Internally transferred in diversified group into a position better suited for my skills and abilities.

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  Powertech (Member of the Altron Group)

  • Sandton, South Africa

  • Group Accountant

    • Sep 2002 - Jun 2006
    • Sandton, South Africa

    I performed Group reporting for 5 subdivisions with a Group turnover of $800 million per annum.ACHIEVEMENTS☑ Reduced reporting time by 15 days overall.☑ Successfully implemented IFRS throughout the group realising a cost saving of $300k in professional services fees.☑ Completed financial year end consolidation (36 entities) within deadline.☑ Implemented proportionate (Joint Ventures) consolidation models.☑ Financially modelled Black Economic Empowerment deals.☑ Internally transferred in diversified group into a position better suited for my skills and abilities.

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  Bridging Technologies (Pty) Ltd

  • Boksburg, South Africa

  • Financial Manager

    • Feb 1998 - Aug 2002
    • Boksburg, South Africa

    I performed branch reporting for 8 branches and cost centers with a company turnover of $8 million per annum.ACHIEVEMENTS☑ Assisted Directors with a Management Buy Out from PQ Africa (now Business Connexion) and obtained external funding.☑ Implemented internal control.☑ Reduced the debtor’s book by $300k and inventories by $500k.

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  Andre van der Merwe & Associates

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Audit Manager

    • Jan 1992 - Jan 1998
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    I managed an audit team consisting of 4 Accounting Associates.ACHIEVEMENTS☑ Managed audits of JSE listed clients.☑ Trained staff on CaseWare and Pastel.☑ Completed studies and articles whilst working on a full-time basis.☑ Audited companies in manufacturing, services, retail and wholesale.☑ Introduced IT based auditing and Computer Aided Auditing Techniques to the auditing firm.