Craig Anthony Pillay

Leadership, People, Culture & Linkage:

• Led the Quality team at Kansai Plascon Mobeni, fostering a culture of quality and safety through Lean Manufacturing, Gemba Kaizen, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Served as interim Quality Manager for 5 months, ensuring seamless operations and maintaining quality standards during the manager’s absence.
• Trained and coached manufacturing staff on new formulas, equipment, and processes, enhancing team skills and knowledge.
• Acted as a core member of the site leadership team, aligning quality objectives with overall site goals.

Quality Systems Management:

• Spearheaded ISO 9001 and ISO 18001 SABS audits for the past 5 years, ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
• Implemented and maintained Unilever-aligned quality management systems (QMS) to ensure consumer safety and product quality.
• Conducted internal audits to verify compliance with QMS and regulatory requirements.
• Managed non-conforming materials and products, ensuring proper identification, segregation, and disposition.

Continuous Improvement & UMS:

• Improved Operational First Time Right (FTR) from 75% to 95% through root cause analysis, cross-functional teamwork, and data-driven decision-making.
• Reduced production dwell time by 25% by identifying improvement opportunities, conducting trials, and optimizing formulas.
• Led structured quality improvement activities, reducing customer complaints by 18% annually through root cause analysis and formula enhancements.
• Managed risk effectively across the QC department and other plant areas, ensuring operational continuity and safety.

Testing & Measurement:

• Ensured quality throughout the production cycle by implementing testing programs aligned with specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Improved laboratory safety through the implementation of Behaviour-Based Safety practices.
• Maintained calibration and maintenance programs for inspection, measuring, and testing equipment.

HACCP, Hygiene, Cleaning:

• Developed and implemented HACCP plans and pre-requisite programs to mitigate consumer safety risks.
• Ensured compliance with GMP requirements and maintained hygienic controls, allergen management, and pest controls.
• Innovation & Change Management:
• Supported innovation trials and VIP projects, ensuring quality-related responsibilities were executed as per plan.
• Implemented over 500 formulas into the SAP system, improving efficiency and reducing costs.