Jessika Du Plessis
Bloemfontein
Summary
Accomplished professional with 13 years of experience in leadership, project and operational management, and financial oversight. Proven expertise in driving complex projects, leading high-performing teams, and optimising processes to achieve organisational goals. Skilled in strategic decision-making, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, with proficiency in MS Office Suite and digital tools. Committed to delivering operational excellence, cost efficiencies, and superior client outcomes.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Project and Operational Manager
Enviroworks
2024.08 - 2026.04
- Led a team of 13 Environmental Assessment Practitioners and Environmental Control Officers across multiple South African locations, driving performance, mentorship, and operational excellence.
- Managed approximately 50 projects concurrently, ensuring timely delivery, quality assurance, and adherence to budgets and client requirements.
- Oversaw day-to-day business operations and financial management, including budgeting, expense approvals, resource allocation, fee proposals, and tender administration, achieving cost efficiency and operational accountability.
- Implemented new policies and procedures to improve staff productivity, morale, and operational consistency.
- Negotiated supplier and vendor contracts, securing optimal pricing, delivery terms, and service performance.
- Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), report templates, and quote templates, standardising processes to improve quality, compliance, and team productivity.
- Conducted risk assessments and streamlined operations, ensuring proactive identification and mitigation of operational risks.
- Facilitated staff performance evaluations, training, and upskilling initiatives, optimising team capabilities and project outcomes.
- Built and maintained strong client, stakeholder, and supplier relationships, proactively managing engagement, complaints, and communications to enhance service delivery and business growth.
Senior Business Support Coordinator and Project Manager
BCX/Vodacom – Retail IT solutions
2019.02 - 2024.07
- Managed business operations and financial administration, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, providing accurate insights to support strategic decision-making.
- Successfully completed large-scale hardware and software rollouts over 4 years, driving a revenue increase of R200 million and managing financial oversight of a R500 million contract.
- Planned, budgeted, and tracked projects end-to-end, ensuring on-time delivery within scope and budget while coordinating cross-functional teams to meet objectives.
- Oversaw vendor and client contracts, including negotiations, SLA management, and governance compliance, ensuring service quality and risk mitigation.
- Implemented process improvements and operational efficiencies across multiple projects, enhancing productivity, service delivery, and client satisfaction.
- Coordinated hardware installations, software deployments, and change management, enabling seamless integration with minimal operational disruption.
- Developed and maintained project reporting, financial forecasts, and performance metrics, providing actionable insights to inform strategic business planning.
- Identified and executed internal process enhancements, improving team performance, operational efficiency, and resource utilisation.
- Maintained strong relationships with suppliers, clients, and vendors, achieving cost efficiencies and optimising operational performance.
Corporate Travel Coordinator, Debtors and Creditors Clerk
UCS TS/BCX
2013.09 - 2019.01
- Managed and coordinated local and international travel logistics for 1,000+ employees across UCS-TS/BCX South Africa, processing an average of 200 travel requests per month including flights, accommodation, car hire, visas, and travel insurance.
- Reduced organisational travel costs by R1.4 million over two years through strategic supplier negotiations, improved travel processes, and proactive cost monitoring (average saving of R52,000+ per month).
- Developed and implemented a travel benchmarking system for flights, accommodation, and car hire, enabling data-driven decision-making and improved cost control.
- Built and maintained strategic relationships with more than 100 hotels and guesthouses across South Africa and Botswana, securing preferential rates and flexible booking arrangements for last-minute travel changes.
- Oversaw purchase order creation, supplier payments, and tax invoice verification, ensuring accurate financial administration and compliance with company policies.
- Managed travel cost tracking and reporting, maintaining the travel cube and cost summaries while driving the billing process for all billable travel expenses.
- Ensured efficient communication of travel confirmations and vouchers to employees and service providers, enabling seamless travel coordination across multiple business units.
- Strengthened supplier collaboration through ongoing relationship management and service performance monitoring.
- Served as Social Coordinator for the Bloemfontein branch, successfully organising corporate events, including golf days and staff engagement activities.
Project and Financial Coordinator
Baruk Group of Companies
2013.01 - 2013.08
Bookkeeper / Debtors Clerk
Adv AJR van Rhyn SC | Advocates Chambers
2007.01 - 2013.01
- Prepare invoices
- Reconcile the accounts
- Facilitate payment of invoices due by sending bill reminders and contacting attorneys
- Prepare Financial statement
Research Assistant
Department of Geology, University of the Free State
2010.01 - 2012.12
- Conducted comprehensive literature reviews to support research projects and inform study design and methodology development.
- Designed and implemented research methodologies, including laboratory experiments and fieldwork activities.
- Managed data collection, capturing, analysis, and reporting, ensuring accuracy and reliability of research findings.
- Prepared research reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate findings to academic and research stakeholders.
- Contributed to manuscript preparation and research grant applications, supporting the advancement and funding of research projects.
- Assisted with correspondence and reporting to funding agencies, ensuring compliance with project requirements and timelines.
- Supervised undergraduate research assistants, providing guidance on research tasks, data collection, and laboratory procedures.
- Compiled tutorial materials and academic resources to support undergraduate learning.
- Delivered lectures and academic instruction to undergraduate students in the absence of the Senior Lecturer.
- Assessed and graded undergraduate assignments and examination papers, maintaining academic standards and providing constructive feedback.
Education
MSc - Geology
University of the Free State
2010.01 - 2011.01
BSc Honours - Geology
University of the Free State
2009.01 - 2010.01
BSc - Geology
University of the Free State
2005.01 - 2008.01
Skills
Leadership & Management:
- Team leadership, staff supervision, performance management, decision-making, and resource allocation
Project & Operational Management:
- Project scheduling and deployment, operational planning, process optimisation, budgeting, financial forecasting, and reporting
Analytical & Problem-Solving:
- Data processing, data analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, risk assessment, and strategic decision-making
Communication & Interpersonal:
- Effective communication, teamwork, stakeholder engagement, interpersonal skills, negotiation, and customer excellence orientation
Technical & Digital Skills:
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio; Remedy, Simplicity, Navision; basic understanding of clinical trials
Organisational & Personal Skills:
- Time management, multitasking, task prioritization, attention to detail, creativity, and independent thinking
Proficiency in Other Languages
English - Spoken = Excellent - Written = Excellent - Reading = Excellent
Special Awards
- The Dean's medal as best Master's student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
- The Senate Medal as best Master's student at the university.
- South African Association for the Advancement of Science Award for Scientific Achievement.
Affiliations
International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa) (7752)
PUBLICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS and DISSERTATIONS
- Dissertation: Volatiles Around Two Dimensional Defect Structures as Indicated by Micro Diamonds in Decompression Cracks
- Https://scholar.ufs.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/e8399764-6600-45f0-9303-97f1373f72a6/content
- Abstract: Potgieter J., Sommer, H., Regenauer-Lieb, K., Jung H & Gasharova, B (2011) The formation of micro diamonds in cracks caused by a C-O-H rich fluid under medium to low pressure.
- Goldschmidt Conference, Prague in 2011
- Https://goldschmidtabstracts.info/2011/1662.pdf
- Oral and Poster Presentation:
- 3 312 Registered delegates attended the conference
- 1 970 Oral presentations delivered at the conference
- Abstract: Potgieter J., Sommer, H., Regenauer-Lieb, K., Gasharova, B., Purchase M., (2009)
- OH and CO2 diffusion profiles in garnets from eclogitic xenoliths from the Victor diamond mine, South Africa (UNESCO IGCP 557)
- Goldschmidt Conference, Davos in 2009
- Https://goldschmidtabstracts.info/2009/1046.pdf
- Abstract: Sommer H, Purchase MD, Potgieter J, Regenauer-Lieb K, Gasharova B., (2009).
- OH partitioning coefficient between garnets and melt inclusions in lherzolite xenoliths from the Kimberley diamond mine, South Africa (UNESCO IGCP 557)
- Goldschmidt Conference, Davos in 2009:
- Poster Presentation:
- European Geosciences Union General Assembly, Vienna in 2010
- 10 463 Registered delegates attended the conference
- 9 370 Poster presentations delivered at the conference
- Abstract: Potgieter J., Sommer, H., Regenauer-Lieb, K., Gasharova, B., (2008)
- American Geophysical Union Fall Conference, San Franscisco in 2008
- 15 000+ Registered delegates attended the conference
- 15 800 Poster presentations delivered at the conference
Training and Webinars
- Environmental Law and Compliance - Workshop – Durban – 2025
- Environmental Assessment and Decision Making – Online Training - 2025
- Nature’s Climate Vault: The Science of Carbon Sinks – Webinar – 2025
- Green Hydrogen: An essential component of the South African energy transition plan – Webinar – 2025
- Wetland Mapping and Hydropedological Assessments – Webinar - 2025
PROJECT MANAGER AND REVIEWER
- Full Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessments
- Proposed Development of the Phase 3, Solar Photovoltaic Energy Cluster and Associated Infrastructure Near Warmbad, Limpopo Province.
- Proposed Development of the Crecy Grid Infrastructure Near Modimolle, Limpopo Province.
- The Proposed Development of the Botshabelo Tyre Recycling Facility, Waste Management Licence, Free State Province (in progress).
- Basic Assessments
- Proposed Upgrade of the Langebaan Gate and the Proposed Development of the Klein Mooimaak Overnight Accommodation, West Coast National Park, Western Cape Province.
- The Proposed Development of a Mountain Bike Track and Associated Infrastructure, Karatara Region, Garden Route District Municipality, Western Cape Province.
- Proposed Expansion of the Karan Beef Feeding Lot, Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal Province.
- Proposed upgrades of the Friemersheim Wastewater Treatment Works, Friemersheim, Western Cape Province.
- The Proposed Maintenance and Management at Three Existing Hydropower Facilities, Dihlabeng Local Municipality, Free State Province.
- The Proposed Installation of optic fiber cables near Lake Pleasant, Western Cape Province.
- The proposed development of a bulk water pipeline from Sedibeng Reservoir to Winburg Reservoir, Winburg, Free State Province.
- The proposed development of a three-point eight Kilometre (3.8km) Bulk Sewer Line and associated infrastructure in Thaba Nchu, Free State Province.
- The proposed expansion of aboveground diesel storage tanks, Frankfort, Free State Province.
- Proposed Transmission Corridor (EGI) associated with the proposed Solar Springs PV Solar Cluster, Bela Bela, Limpopo.
- Atmospheric Emissions License for the proposed expansion of aboveground diesel storage tanks on Erf 762, Frankfort, Free State Province.
- Section 24G Rectification Applications
- Unlawful construction of 23 Dwellings on the Farm Brakkefontein, Stormsvlei, Western Cape Province.
- Unlawful expansion of Layer Houses on the Farm Kaalfontein, Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng Province.
- Unlawful construction of the Itekeng Wastewater Treatment Plant , discharge pipeline in Itekeng, North West Province.
- Unlawful development of tourist facilities (Cherry Glamping) on Farm 921, Caledon, Westen Cape.
- Part 1 Environmental Authorisation Amendments
- Part 1 Amendment of the Environmental Authorisation for the Adendorp 2015.
- Part 1 Amendment of the Environmental Authorisation for the Adendorp 2021.
- Part 1 Amendment of the Environmental Authorisation for the Aliwal North 2019.
- Part 1 Amendment of the Environmental Authorisation for the Heidelberg 2016.
- Part 1 Amendment of the Environmental Authorisation for the Nigel 2022.
- Water Use License Applications
- Eskom Matla Power Station, Kriel, Mpumalanga Province.
- Eskom Hendrina Power Station, Mpumalanga Province.
- SANParks Klein Mooimaak development, Western Cape Province.
- SANParks Addo and Lendlovu Lodge development, Eastern Cape Province.
- Quantum Foods Layer Houses on the Farm Kaalfontein, Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng Province.
- Karan Beef Feedlot, Nigel, Gauteng Province.
- Karan Beef Feedlot, Aliwal North, Free State Province.
- Sparta Beef Marquard and Clocolan, Free State Province.
- Sparta Beef Viljoenskroon, Free State Province.
- Sparta Taaiboschbult, Potchefstroom, North West Province.
- Proposed fibre optic cables, Lake Pleasant, Western Cape.
- Cherry Glamping development, Western Cape Province.
- Riet Valley Chalets development, Western Cape Province.
- Bethlehem Sand and Klip Sand Mine in Caledon River, Free State Province.
- Development of a bulk water pipeline from Sedibeng Reservoir to Winburg Reservoir, Winburg, Free State Province.
- Sanitech Waste Water Treatment Plant, Steelpoort, Limpopo Province.
- Environmental Control Officer (ECO)/Auditing
- Tetra4 Cluster 1 Onshore Gas Production Facility Near Virginia, Free State Province.
- Xina Solar CSP Power facility and its Associated Infrastructure, Northern Cape Province.
- KaXu Solar One CSP Power facility and its Associated Infrastructure, Northern Cape Province.
- Postmasburg PV Solar facility, Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province.
- Lesedi Solar Thermal Plant and its Associated Infrastructure, Northern Cape Province.
- Letsatsi Solar Thermal Plant and its Associated Infrastructure, Northern Cape Province.
- Bokamoso PV Solar facility, North West Province.
- De Wildt PV Solar facility, North West Province.
- Zeerust PV Solar facility and associated Powerlines, North West Province.
- Waterloo PV Solar facility, near Vryburg, North West Province.
- Matla a Bokone PV Solar facility, near Kimberley, Northern Cape Province.
- Boikanyo Solar PV Solar facility, near Douglas, Northern Cape Province.
- Mission Point Mine near Sasolburg, Free State Province.
- Droogehoet Mine and its associated infrastructure near Upington, Northern Cape Province.
- Transhex
- Eskom Matla Kriel Water Supply Pipeline, Kriel, Mpumalanga Province.
- The Proposed 132kv Power Line Between Eskom Sorata Switching Station And Witsieshoek Substation, Free State Province.
- Restoration Of Selected Pavement Areas And Asphalt Overlay On National Road R512 Section 3 From R104 (Km 0.0) To Brits (Km 10.70).
- Periodic Maintenance of National Route 6 Section 5, Jamestown to Nek, Eastern Cape Province.
- Periodic Maintenance of National Route 9 Section 7 from Carlton Heights to Noupoort, Eastern Cape Province.
- Periodic Maintenance (repair & reseal) on National Route N10 Section 5 from Ludlow (km 0.0) to Leuwekop (km 20.0) and the periodic maintenance (repair & reseal) on National Route N10 Section 5 from Leuwekop (km 20.0) to Luipertskop (km 40.0).
- Development of a car detailing workshop at Rivergate Industrial Park, Cape Town, Western Cape Province.
- Upgrade of the Hout Bay beachfront streetlights, Hout Bay, Western Cape Province.
- WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION
- General Authorisation for the Thaba Nchu Bulk Sewer Pipeline, Thaba Nchu, Free State Province.
- ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OFFICER/ AUDITING
- Annual Water Use License Compliance Audit Report for Portion 0 of the Farm Kortby NO. 624, Petrusburg, Free State Province.
REFERENCES
- Elbi Bredenkamp, Founder, elbi@enviroworks.co.za, 0825624134, Enviroworks
- Johan, Devenier, Account Executive, johan.devenier@vexall.co.za, 0798850379, BCX / Vodacom
- Edwin, Govender, Account Manager, govenderedwin@icloud.com, 0726678895, Vexall
- Marlene, Forbes, Finance and Admin Manager, marleneforbes@118accounting.co.za, 0836298141, 118Accounting
- Holger, Sommer, Professor in Petrology, somhol@yahoo.de, info@holgersommer.de, University of Namibia
Accomplishments
- MSc received cum laude
- Science Awards received: 2012
- UFS:
The Dean's medal as best Master's student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
The Senate Medal as best Master's student at the university.
- From the (S2A3) SAAAS:
The Award for Scientific Achievement
Certification
- Environmental Law and Compliance - Workshop – Durban – 2025
- Environmental Assessment and Decision Making – Online Training - 2025
- Nature’s Climate Vault: The Science of Carbon Sinks – Webinar – 2025
- Green Hydrogen: An essential component of the South African energy transition plan – Webinar – 2025
- Wetland Mapping and Hydropedological Assessments – Webinar - 2025
Timeline
Project and Operational Manager
Enviroworks
2024.08 - 2026.04
Senior Business Support Coordinator and Project Manager
BCX/Vodacom – Retail IT solutions
2019.02 - 2024.07
Corporate Travel Coordinator, Debtors and Creditors Clerk
UCS TS/BCX
2013.09 - 2019.01
Project and Financial Coordinator
Baruk Group of Companies
2013.01 - 2013.08
MSc - Geology
University of the Free State
2010.01 - 2011.01
Research Assistant
Department of Geology, University of the Free State
2010.01 - 2012.12
BSc Honours - Geology
University of the Free State
2009.01 - 2010.01
Bookkeeper / Debtors Clerk
Adv AJR van Rhyn SC | Advocates Chambers
2007.01 - 2013.01
BSc - Geology
University of the Free State
2005.01 - 2008.01