Hester (Riekie) Lourens
PROGRAMME MANAGER
Centurion
Summary
Results-driven program manager with over 12 years of experience in project management within the fast-paced Defense and Commercial Aviation sectors. Proven track record of managing key clients, including Airbus Commercial (France & UK) and Airbus Defense and Space (Germany & Spain), as well as previous experience with Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle. Currently serves as Head of Program, overseeing a diverse team of five project managers, two program coordinators, and four sales and operations coordinators. Recognized for strong leadership, exceptional communication, and problem-solving abilities, complemented by a commitment to loyalty and trustworthiness in all professional endeavors.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Programme
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
07.2025 - Current
- Head of Department Management
- Manage Team of 11 employees, ensure each have defined Roles and Responsibilities and competency matrices, manage their scope of work daily, weekly, monthly
- Programme Handbook with defined Roles and Responsibilities, with individual Competency matrices, with associated training plans
- Interface Management
- Manage interfaces of Programme to internal and external stakeholders, set up forums of engagement
- Engagement forums (meetings, action lists)
- Strategy & KPIs
- Define programme management strategy, governance and KPIs aligned with business goals
- Programme Governance
- Establish and maintain programme governance, reviews, change control, and configuration management
- Compliance
- Ensure compliance with aerospace regulations, certification authorities, export controls (ITAR/EAR), and company safety/quality standards resulting in successful audits
- Risk Register Management
- Ensure Risk Management is carried out, compile risk registers, escalate risks, mitigate risks
Snr Project Manager (Key Account Manager) – A400M (Airbus Commercial + Airbus Defense and Space)
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
04.2023 - Current
- Project Management tasks related to clients, client interface, project management reviews, as well as client relationships and financial performance of project internally. Do bids and proposals – costing and writing.
- Managing a multi-dimensional project
- Management of multi-disciplinary teams across functional boundaries with a prime output of scheduling work to meet client delivery requirements
- Project Management and coordination in the Aerospace Industry
- Project Budget – Financial year March 2023-24 @ $ 15 745 465M (R 295 669 o18M) / Margin 14% / 10 – 12 Ship Sets per Work Package
- Client interface and client relationships to ensure on-time deliveries to the client and meet delivery requirements of the Contract
- Maintain order book for four Work Packages = A400M Nose Fuselage; Cargo Hold; Galley; Wingtip
- Proposal costing/writing and assessing project costs and then handover to Industrialization team
- Ability to manage unplanned issues while keeping the ball rolling on company goals and tasks in progress
- Consistently meet set organizational objectives
Project Manager – LRMPA (Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft)
Paramount Aerospace Systems
04.2022 - 04.2023
- Manage the project daily as per the approved plans. Makes sure that deliverables and programme milestones are completed within the agreed scope of work, schedule, and cost constraints of the project.
- Managing a multi-dimensional project to ensure efficient and profitable execution of all allocated project and related assignments within the constraints of schedule, budget, and scope of work
- Project Management and coordination in the Defense Aerospace Industry
- Contract Value @ € 41 M (R 700 M) / GP Margin 25% / Period 2022 - 2026
- Generate and distribute regular progress reports as required by the contract and project plans
- Communicate with both the supplier(s) and customer regarding the progress and activities of the programme
- Control the project budget, by facilitating the payment of the suppliers and receipt of payment from the customer
- Engage with Business Development and the customer for the negotiation and agreement of Contract Changes through Contract Variation Orders (CVO’s) in response to new or additional requirements where applicable
- Quarterly Customer Satisfaction surveys
Project Manager (Key Account Manager) – Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
04.2013 - 04.2022
- Project Management tasks related to clients, client interface, project management reviews, as well as client relationships and financial performance of project internally. Do bids and proposals – costing and writing.
- Managing a multi-dimensional project
- Management of multi-disciplinary teams across functional boundaries with a prime output of scheduling work to meet client delivery requirements
- Project Management and coordination in the Aerospace Industry
- Project Budget – Financial year March 2020-21 @ $ 5,9M (R 97M) / Margin 8,8% / Qty parts delivered 47 973
- Project Budget prior 737Max grounding – Financial year March 2019-20 @ $ 16M (R 238M) / Margin 23,1% / Qty parts delivered 84 802
- Client interface and client relationships to ensure on-time deliveries to the client and meet delivery requirements of the Contract
- Maintain order book (B737; B777X; B767; B757; Global Services)
- Proposal costing/writing and assess project costs and then handover to Industrialization team
- Ability to manage unplanned issues while keeping the ball rolling on company goals and tasks in progress
- Consistently meet set organizational objectives
Micro Business Manager
Spacio Office Dezigns
08.2008 - 05.2013
- Manages Spacio Office Dezigns together with owners of the business
- Operational day to day tasks to ensure high quality customer service
- Customer interface and satisfaction by developing a relationship with all customers to ensure the best level of service and identifying areas where mutual benefit can be gained by the products and services Spacio Office Dezigns cc can offer
- Manages duties & responsibilities of installation team and planning daily logistics
- Directing, commanding, guiding, and leading the use of influence to motivate employees to achieve Spacio Office Dezigns cc goals
- Communication, guidance, direction, instruction, and supervision to achieve Spacio Office Dezigns cc mission and vision
- Maintain and update Pastel and purchasing of furniture
- Compile of sales proposals; tenders; quotations to meet the customers requirement
Manager Demand and Dispatch
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
07.2006 - 07.2008
- Demand Management of international customers (A400M/Safran/Boeing Commercial Airplanes/Sigma Aero Seats/Spirit AeroSystems) and Managing Dispatch area for shipping product to customers
- Customer interface and satisfaction between Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd and international customers listed above
- Manages 10 employees (Demand Administrator (1) / Dispatch Supervisor (1) / Dispatch Controller (2) / Expeditor (1) / Packers (5)
- Coordinates the Industrialization process for the Boeing Program
- Coordinate’s part shortages to Procurement
- Focal point for all Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd Product Support
- Manages weekly performances graphs and reports for Production and Shipping
Production Coordinator and Product Support Focal
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
08.2004 - 06.2006
Personal Assistant to Partners
SDV Architects
02.2002 - 08.2004
Demand Administrator
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
09.2002 - 07.2004
Personal Assistant to Project Manager
Office Directions
07.1999 - 01.2002
Sales Consultant and Receptionist
Office Directions
09.1997 - 06.1999
Receptionist
Afrox (Pty) Ltd
01.1996 - 08.1997
Au-Pair
01.1996 - 01.1997
Education
Programme in Project Management -
University of Pretoria
01-2015
Business Management - undefined
Damelin Management School
01-2001
Matriculated - undefined
Hoërskool Goudrif
01-1994
Skills
8 / 10 Leadership
9 / 10 Reporting
9 / 10 Project Management
9 / 10 Communication
9 / 10 Problem Solving
Meeting Facilitation
Microsoft Word / Excel / Power Point
Contract Management
Planning and Forecasting
Risk Management
Tracking and Monitoring
Active Listening
Cost Control
Data Analysis
Effective Communication
Prioritization
Problem Solving
Project Management
Reporting
Strong Customer Focus
Team Management
Time Management
Project management
Timeline
Head of Programme
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
07.2025 - Current
Snr Project Manager (Key Account Manager) – A400M (Airbus Commercial + Airbus Defense and Space)
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
04.2023 - Current
Project Manager – LRMPA (Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft)
Paramount Aerospace Systems
04.2022 - 04.2023
Project Manager (Key Account Manager) – Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
04.2013 - 04.2022
Micro Business Manager
Spacio Office Dezigns
08.2008 - 05.2013
Manager Demand and Dispatch
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
07.2006 - 07.2008
Production Coordinator and Product Support Focal
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
08.2004 - 06.2006
Demand Administrator
Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd
09.2002 - 07.2004
Personal Assistant to Partners
SDV Architects
02.2002 - 08.2004
Personal Assistant to Project Manager
Office Directions
07.1999 - 01.2002
Sales Consultant and Receptionist
Office Directions
09.1997 - 06.1999
Receptionist
Afrox (Pty) Ltd
01.1996 - 08.1997
Au-Pair
01.1996 - 01.1997
Business Management - undefined
Damelin Management School
Matriculated - undefined
Hoërskool Goudrif
Programme in Project Management -
University of Pretoria