Cecilia Mahwasane
Pretoria
Summary
Results-driven Continuous Improvement Manager, Production Manager and Metallurgical Engineer with expertise in optimizing workflows and enhancing resource utilisation. Skilled in analysing complex processes to deliver tactical and sustainable improvements in production environments. Strong leadership in managing performance and meeting deadlines, with a focus on driving operational advancements and high-quality product delivery.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Imerys
Apiesdoring Plant
10.2023 - Current
- Consistently achieve established production volume and tonnage targets. Achieved 1200 tons above target in 2024 of total saleable tons D60 and D59 andalusite products.
- Optimised process efficiency to enhance yield, throughput, equipment availability, and product quality, achieving 85% plant availability in 2025 and increasing magnetic separation production by 40 tons per week.
- Spearheaded cost optimisation initiatives and managed inventory levels for operational consumables.
- Direct plant and laboratory production workflows.
- Direct resource allocation, encompassing both personnel management and consumable supply chains.
- Manage daily operational costs to ensure strict adherence to approved financial budgets.
- Report performance metrics and production target variances directly to the Operations Manager.
- Facilitate and execute initiatives aimed at continuous process improvement.
- Foster a motivated workforce through proactive training, mentoring, and performance management.
- Lead production and maintenance units in root cause analysis to resolve equipment failures and improve utilization.
- Maintain full compliance with statutory Occupational Health and Safety Act regulations regarding the operation and maintenance of plant machinery.
- Implement strategies for product quality enhancement by monitoring production processes.: Reduced the D60 0.8-1.6 out of spec production by 50% compared to 2024, through consistent screens inspection and correct configuration, and monitoring feed material quality.
- Production and plant maintenance planning.
- Laboratory management and ISO management.
- Supervise laboratory functions and ensure alignment with ISO management standards.
- Develop Capital Expenditure Requests (CERs) for technical projects for submission to the Technical Manager.
- Manage and authorize technical project expenditures at the site level.
- Coordinate with the Community Liaison Officer to address local stakeholder interests.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER
Imerys
Annesley Andalusite Mine & Apiesdoring Plant
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Achieved >2% industrial savings over two years, in 2021 exceeding targets at Apies (~15K€) and Annesley (>2915K€).
- Led cost-reduction programs at an organisational level to streamline expenses.
- Manage authorized improvement initiatives to ensure successful execution.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritise high-impact site improvements.
- Provide operational and strategic mentorship to Project Leaders.
- Lead ideation sessions across all levels, from shop floor to executives.
- Analyze P&L statements with the Site Accountant for fiscal optimization.
- Assessed economic benefits of operational enhancements to ensure financial viability.
- Reviewed KPIs for mining, production, and maintenance to identify and address improvement opportunities.
- Present monthly updates on project status and realized savings.
- Conduct time and motion analyses for plant and mining workflows.
- Enhanced safety and engagement through implementation of 5S, management rituals, and dust control initiatives.
- Use SWOT assessments to implement risk mitigation plans.
PROJECT OFFICER INTERN
South African Agency for Science and Technology
02.2016 - 02.2017
- Managed the National Science Olympiad, overseeing participation from roughly 150 South African and SADC schools.
- Coordinated Youth Science Focus Week initiatives, enhancing engagement and participation among students.
- Executed data capturing and addressed competition inquiries, improving response times for participants.
- Facilitated payment requests for moderators and examiners, ensuring timely transaction processing and supporting event operations. for Moderators and Examiners.
Project Coordinator INTERN
Thandela Consulting
06.2014 - 06.2015
- Managed and facilitated engineering and non-engineering initiatives, ensuring alignment with project goals.
- Coordinated administrative tasks to enhance organisational workflow.
- Developed and implemented Quality Management Systems for multiple organisations, resulting in ISO 17025 accreditation for Langa Geotechnical Services and ISO 9001 for Monde Consulting.
- Supported organisations throughout the SAB certification and SANAS accreditation application cycles.
TRAINEE METALLURGIST
Scaw Metals
03.2013 - 03.2014
- Monitored and adjusted critical furnace temperatures from the control room during patenting and galvanizing of steel rods to maintain quality standards.
- Regulated temperature and concentration of processing solutions, including lead and acid baths, to minimise scaling and surface irregularities during galvanization.
- Conducted process inspections with quality oversight of incoming materials and final products prior to shipment to ensure compliance with specifications.
- Performed detailed failure analysis and provided strategic process recommendations to minimize operational defects.
- Conducted process control testing and generated comprehensive technical reports.
- Managed inventory of steel wire rope to ensure availability for production needs.
Education
BTech - Metallurgical Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology
Pretoria, GP12-2015
Diploma - Metallurgical Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology
Pretoria, GP03-2014
Skills
- Production scheduling
- Quality assurance
- Quality control
- Lab testing
- Analytical data
- Process troubleshooting
- Maintenance planning
- Cost reduction
- Continuous improvement
- Lean manufacturing
- Quality systems
- 5S methodology
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Employee management
- Performance management
- Solution development
- Communication effectiveness
Custom
- Greenbelt training – Theory completed, Imerys France Paris, 2023-12-01
- NOSA: Certified ISO 9001 2015 QMS Internal Auditor, 2024-01-01
- MCE - Fundamentals of Project Management, 2021-06-01
- AMA GLOBAL, Project Management institute - ILC Fundamentals of Finance, 2019-08-01
- CUBIK Partners - Operational Excellence Awareness/ Yellow Belt, 2018-08-01
- Certified Imerys Industrial Improvement Manager in Imerys South Africa, 2021-01-01
Timeline
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Imerys
10.2023 - Current
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER
Imerys
01.2018 - 01.2023
PROJECT OFFICER INTERN
South African Agency for Science and Technology
02.2016 - 02.2017
Project Coordinator INTERN
Thandela Consulting
06.2014 - 06.2015
TRAINEE METALLURGIST
Scaw Metals
03.2013 - 03.2014
BTech - Metallurgical Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology
Diploma - Metallurgical Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology