Evert Calitz
Senior Operations Leader
Brits
Summary
๐ญ๐ฑ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐. ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐. ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ท๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ข๐๐ ๐.
I am a senior leader who has mastered the entire lifecycle of automotive manufacturing. My career spans Plant Management, Technical & Production, Quality, Projects, Commercial, and Purchasing.
This breadth of experience is my greatest asset. It allows me to lead with a "total business" mindset, ensuring that technical excellence and production speed never compromise commercial viability or quality standards. Having successfully delivered Start of Production (SOP) cycles for BMW, Ford, Toyota, VW, Isuzu, and Nissan/Renault, I thrive in high-stakes environments where precision is the baseline.
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ:
โ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ: A proven track record of leadership from the production floor to the boardroom.
โ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐: Extensive experience navigating international quality audits and complex OEM requirements.
โ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ & ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ: Dedicated to building business strategies that empower people and drive sustainable growth.
As the saying goes, "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you!" I embrace challenges as the ultimate catalyst for innovation. Letโs connect to explore how a multi-disciplinary approach can drive positive change and operational excellence.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Head of Quality & Industrialisation
RG Brose
06.2025 - Current
- Increased customer satisfaction through timely response to inquiries, thorough investigation of issues, and implementation of corrective actions as needed.
- Developed comprehensive training programs for new hires, resulting in increased efficiency and knowledge among staff members.
- Collaborated with suppliers to establish stringent quality criteria for incoming materials, enhancing overall product consistency.
- Managed the resolution of customer complaints, leading investigations to determine cause and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Conducted regular audits of production processes, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes to enhance overall product quality.
- Initiated cross-functional collaborations with engineering and manufacturing teams to identify root causes of defects and implement corrective actions.
- Coordinated and oversaw periodic audits to evaluate product quality and safety and address non-conformances.
- Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
PLANT MANAGER
Yanfeng
02.2024 - 05.2025
- Manage the operations within the plant:
- Sets goals and guidelines for all plant operations to ensure efficiency and profitability.
- Guides and motivates team to meet operational objectives and improve efficiency.
- Establishes and enforces plant procedures to achieve goals.
- Supports and upholds company policies to maintain organization.
- Makes key decisions and approvals based on company policy and data.
- Plan plant needs (equipment, staff, materials) and manages budgets.
- Implements new methods to improve scrap control, manufacturing, and workforce utilization.
- Engages with customers to build relationships and resolve issues.
- Recommends capital equipment upgrades to enhance plant efficiency.
- Suggests changes in compensation and benefits to ensure competitive working conditions.
- Reviews and assesses subordinate performance for training and development.
COMMERCIAL & PROJECTS MANAGER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
08.2022 - 01.2024
- Manage projects, overseeing their alignment with commercial requirements and achievement of savings targets.
- Lead customer satisfaction efforts as the primary key account contact.
- Safeguard material margin by adeptly negotiating selling prices and regularly updating prices to account for inflation, forex, and purchasing costs.
- Drive the successful implementation of replacement programs and proactively seek opportunities for new business.
- Prepare precise quotes for new business ventures, engineering changes, and project management.
- Manage Bill of Materials (BOM) purchasing and pricing updates, ensuring accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
SENIOR SALES & PROJECTS ENGINEER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Cost tracking and budget control
- Quarterly pricing updates
- Establish timing plan for project with key mile stones.
- Interface between project team and local team on new projects
SALES & PROJECTS ENGINEER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
06.2018 - 07.2021
PROJECTS AND ENGINEERING CHANGE ENGINEER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
05.2015 - 05.2018
- Manage new customer projects, receive, track, and monitor engineering work orders daily, log into appropriate model year database and update the estimated implementation date according to schedules.
- Establishes new lay out on the products and machinery to be introduces to the SA Process.
- Ensure continuous improvement philosophy is applied.
- Promote adheres and ensures compliance with all company policies, procedures and instructions in the capacity of employment.
- Carries out the required research and execution of all new products to ensure compliance to standards and deadlines.
- Involved with the planning and execution of actions during the trials in the plant to ensure smooth introduction of new products
- Ensures safety health and environmental issues relating to all activities conducted on the companyโs premises are respected
- Champion all the engineering changes (in project and production phase) from inception to execution and ensure that all the relevant team members are timely informed.
- Managed all process changes and ensure a smooth transition and introduction thereof.
- Act as a liaison officer between the projects department and other departments
TECHNICAL ENGINEER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
07.2014 - 04.2015
- Manage scope and supply of all new equipment and identify suppliers.
- Create specifications with inputs from all relevant departments and stakeholders.
- Ensure that the needs of the factory are fulfilled, as per production requirements.
- Cost tracking and budget control for assigned projects.
- Establish objective plan for assigned projects with key mile stones.
- Ensure assigned projects documentation is up to date and in line with gate reviews. (BOM, Engineering Drawings, INPronet)
- Initiate and Participate in continuous improvement activities.
- Trouble shoot or develop a robust process and support team with problems.
- Optimize machine utilization and improve cycle times.
- Improve OEE and Rate of Breakdown by analysis of date and time including implementation of actions to reduce down time.
- Maintain Quality and safety standards.
MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN
PLASTIC OMNIUM
05.2011 - 06.2014
- Ensure all maintenance activities (electrical and mechanical) are carried out to the required standard and fool-proofing techniques are applied when possible
- Ensures continuous improvement philosophy is applied
- Assist production in interpreting relevant machine values in relation to the operation of the machine
- Carry out appropriate actions to ensure scrap reduction during set-up and production activities.
- Respect budget by ensuring no wastage of spare components
- Carry out stock takes as defined to ensure availability of spares
- Ensure all maintenance systems as defined are respected
- Actively participate in all actions teams as requested
- Carry out all mechanical or electrical adjustments on machines to ensure product quality
- Assist in installation or moving of any machinery when needed
- Assist in any projects relating to upgrading of the factory / machine or plant layout
- Carry out all maintenance activities required, in normal and after hours to ensure down time is kept to condition
- Isolate and forbid the utilisation of any equipment that presents as risk to employees until the problem is fixed.
- Perform all scheduled preventive maintenance tasks to the correct standard
FFS AND IFEC TEAM LEADER
SYNGENTA
01.2010 - 04.2011
- Planned and prepared work schedules, assigning employees to specific tasks.
- Developed new methods of tracking expenses, controlling the company budget, and finding new ways to save money while still delivering excellent service.
FFS TEAM LEADER / IMPROVEMENT FACILITATOR
SYNGENTA
12.2007 - 12.2009
- Ensuring production targets are met, while new equipment is introduced and installed.
INCINERATOR TECHNICIAN
SYNGENTA
02.2006 - 11.2007
- Ensuring effective operation of Incinerator and effluent water treatment-plant including waste management and recycling, etc.
PRODUCTION SHIFT LEADER
SYNGENTA
01.2004 - 01.2006
Education
DIPLOMA - OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Alison
South Africa 06.2022
CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT (CAPM) - undefined
SIMPLYLEARN
01.2022
BUSINESS ANALYSIS BASICS - undefined
SIMPLYLEARN
01.2022
LEAN SIX SIGMA YELLOW BELT (ICYB) - undefined
LEARN FAST
01.2021
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PP - undefined
UP-GRADE SECURITIES MANAGMENT
01.2016
MILLWRIGHT - undefined
Olifantsfontein
01.2009
TRAIN THE TRAINER - undefined
ASTRO TECH
01.2007
Skills
Operations management
Profitability enhancement
Quality management systems
Change control
Problem solving
Continuous improvement
Root cause analysis
Project management
References
- Arthur, Mtombeni, Managing Director, +27 (0) 83 296 3064, Shatterprufe Windscreens
- Hannes, Van Dyk, Ex Country Director, +27 (0) 82 459 4735, Plastic Omnium Auto Energy Division
Accomplishments
- Scrap reduction of 30% 2025
- Successful Award of FORD P703 Replacement Business -SOP 2022
- Successful Award of ISUZU Replacement Business - SOP 2021
- Successful Award of New Nissan H60A Business -SOP 2020
- Successful Launch of VW MQB40 Project - SOP 2017
- Successful Launch of ISUZU RT50 Project -SOP 2015
- Sustainable Performance Award 2008
- Innovation Award 2007
- 100% LP Gas Usage Reduction 2006
- 100% Production Output Increase 2004
Timeline
Head of Quality & Industrialisation
RG Brose
06.2025 - Current
PLANT MANAGER
Yanfeng
02.2024 - 05.2025
COMMERCIAL & PROJECTS MANAGER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
08.2022 - 01.2024
SENIOR SALES & PROJECTS ENGINEER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
07.2021 - 08.2022
SALES & PROJECTS ENGINEER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
06.2018 - 07.2021
PROJECTS AND ENGINEERING CHANGE ENGINEER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
05.2015 - 05.2018
TECHNICAL ENGINEER
PLASTIC OMNIUM
07.2014 - 04.2015
MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN
PLASTIC OMNIUM
05.2011 - 06.2014
FFS AND IFEC TEAM LEADER
SYNGENTA
01.2010 - 04.2011
FFS TEAM LEADER / IMPROVEMENT FACILITATOR
SYNGENTA
12.2007 - 12.2009
INCINERATOR TECHNICIAN
SYNGENTA
02.2006 - 11.2007
PRODUCTION SHIFT LEADER
SYNGENTA
01.2004 - 01.2006
CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT (CAPM) - undefined
SIMPLYLEARN
BUSINESS ANALYSIS BASICS - undefined
SIMPLYLEARN
LEAN SIX SIGMA YELLOW BELT (ICYB) - undefined
LEARN FAST
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PP - undefined
UP-GRADE SECURITIES MANAGMENT
MILLWRIGHT - undefined
Olifantsfontein
TRAIN THE TRAINER - undefined
ASTRO TECH
DIPLOMA - OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Alison