Gordon Beard
Howick,South Africa
Summary
Results-driven professional with extensive expertise in efficiency and quality improvements, production planning, and operations management. Demonstrates proficiency in ERP systems, ISO 9001 standards, and health and safety compliance while excelling in team leadership and performance management. Adept at implementing continuous improvement strategies, developing production systems, and ensuring customer satisfaction through effective problem-solving and client relations. Skilled in inventory management, materials procurement, and equipment oversight with a strong focus on meeting deadlines and adapting to change. Committed to driving organizational success through innovative product development and adherence to quality assurance standards.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1996
1996
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Manufacturing Leader
Comfy Lounge and National Furniture Products - SHF Living Manufacturing
Howick, South Africa
01.2010 - 04.2025
- Managing team of 150 employees
- Production Planning and scheduling: ensuring all purchase orders placed with SHF factories produced on time and to the highest quality
- Use of The Blue Box - ERP system software and Microsoft Excel to control and maintain production output and records
- Holding stock of all components and consumables sufficient to meet these requirements
- Procurement: Responsible for all procurement for the factory from components and consumables to fabric and leather
- Executed continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing overall factory performance.
- Sourcing suppliers and products to ensure the best component the best price is purchased and supplied on time
- Product Development: Initialize the development of new product based on requirements supplied by the styling department
- Generate prototype samples with the aid of designer, CNC programmer and relevant staff in the factory
- Load and cost the BOM on the production software to quote SHF Living on the supply of the item
- Draw up the product specification sheet to ensure item meets approved criteria
- Quality Control: Maintenance of all product specifications to ensure quality product manufactured to meet high customer expectations
- Production System: Maintaining and developing the production system to ensure smooth running of the factory
- Load and maintain all BOMs to ensure product cost and pricing correct
- Human Resources: Dealing with internal Human Resources - maintaining discipline, disciplinary hearings - in conjunction with an external HR provider
- Health and Safety: Managing Health and Safety system to ensure a safe and compliant working environment
- Achievements: Achieved production targets as budgeted, Executed customers' orders with total QC as per agreed time schedule
- Tracked performance metrics for plant operations and reviewed regular reports to proactively identify areas of concern.
- Enforced health and safety requirements for worker protection, keeping accidents and company liability at minimum.
- Developed production plans covering schedules, quality goals and labor requirements.
Production Manager
Dynotherm
Howick, South Africa
01.1993 - 03.2010
- HR Management: (since 1993 the company grew from 20 to 70 employees) - responsible for Training and skills development, Unionized environment - dealing with shop stewards and Union officials (NUMSA), Disciplinary procedures - chaired disciplinary hearings and company representative for Conciliation and Arbitration hearings
- Customer Liaison: Dealt directly with customers regarding order delivery and status and product queries
- Production Planning: Generated and processed orders, Planned production schedules: ensuring completion from order placement to dispatch
- Controlled and ordered raw materials and products from both local and international suppliers
- Carried New parts and product development and sourcing
- Used internal production software and Microsoft Excel to control and maintain production output and records
- Production Operations: Generated press and job cards, Set moulding presses, Carried Despatch and Invoicing
- Quality Control: Implementation and development of ISO9001 Quality management system
- Achievements: Successfully implemented ISO90001 QMS, Achieved all production targets within budgeted expenses
Salesman
Outdoor Centre
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
01.1993 - 12.1993
- Nurtured strong rapport with clients, fostering loyalty and repeat business.
- Applied various sales techniques to steadily expand customer bases.
- Greeted customers and offered assistance with selecting merchandise, finding accessories and completing purchases.
Security
Imperial Hotel
01.1991 - 12.1993
Despatch Clerk
Part and Parcel Express
01.1992 - 12.1992
Education
Program in Production/Operation and Productivity Management - Production and Operations Management
UNISA
South Africa 01.2005 - 12.2005
B. Com Business - Bussiess
UNISA
South Africa 01.1991 - 12.1995
B. Com Business -
University of Natal
PietermaritzburgIntroducing ISO 9001:2000 Management System and ISO 14001 Environment System - ISO9001:2000
IQS
Durban 03.2005 - 03.2005
APQP - Quality Planning
H&M Associates
South Africa 11.2005 - 11.2005
Statistical Process Control - Staistics
H&M Associates
South Africa 02.2006 - 02.2006
Internal System Audits to ISO 19011 - Quality Audit
H&M Associates
South Africa 12.2009 - 12.2009
ISO9001:2008 TS 16949 2009 - ISO9001:2000
H & M Associates
South Africa 02.2010 - 02.2010
Skills
- Efficiency & Quality Improvements
- Problem Solving & Troubleshooting
- Customer Satisfaction
- Team Leadership
- Inventory management
- Production Planning & Operations
- Product development
- Human Resources Management
- Proficient with ERP systems
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Develop & implement production systems
- Quality Control
- Performance Management
- Health and Safety regulations
- Equipment management
- Product development
- Materials procurement
- Decision-Making aptitude
- ISO 9001 familiarity
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Languages
Native English speaker
Afrikaans secondary language
Projects
- Radisson Blue Hotel Durban - developement and production of furniture for hotel rooms and public areas
- Oceans Durban - development and production of furniture for the Penthouse Suites and rooms
Affiliations
- Avid Mountain Biker
Timeline
ISO9001:2008 TS 16949 2009 - ISO9001:2000
H & M Associates
02.2010 - 02.2010
Manufacturing Leader
Comfy Lounge and National Furniture Products - SHF Living Manufacturing
01.2010 - 04.2025
Internal System Audits to ISO 19011 - Quality Audit
H&M Associates
12.2009 - 12.2009
Statistical Process Control - Staistics
H&M Associates
02.2006 - 02.2006
APQP - Quality Planning
H&M Associates
11.2005 - 11.2005
Introducing ISO 9001:2000 Management System and ISO 14001 Environment System - ISO9001:2000
IQS
03.2005 - 03.2005
Program in Production/Operation and Productivity Management - Production and Operations Management
UNISA
01.2005 - 12.2005
Production Manager
Dynotherm
01.1993 - 03.2010
Salesman
Outdoor Centre
01.1993 - 12.1993
Despatch Clerk
Part and Parcel Express
01.1992 - 12.1992
B. Com Business - Bussiess
UNISA
01.1991 - 12.1995
Security
Imperial Hotel
01.1991 - 12.1993
B. Com Business -
University of Natal
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