Johan Van Der Merwe
General Manager
Cape Town
Summary
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Customer-oriented General Manager with 15 years of experience focused on increasing revenues and expanding margin. Adaptive and deadline-oriented consistently executes and completes multiple projects in high-stress environments. Meticulous leader and strategic planner with comprehensive managerial acumen, offering vision and motivational acumen.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Wingspan Plastics
01.2014 - Current
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer orders and employee strengths and weaknesses.
- Disciplinary hearing initiator and facilitating process.
- Representing company at CCMA with legal team.
- Managing of different departments.
- Meeting and negotiating with Unions.
- IT - Looking after all of IT requirements of organization from fiber to appointing server administrator and overseeing work and projects.
- Wingspan Plastics are recycling +/- 450t of material per month month.
- 100+ Staff members including blue and white collar staff.
Human Resources Manager
Cape Waste Paper
12.2007 - 01.2014
- Managed employee relations issues professionally, resolving conflicts efficiently while maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Maintained accurate HR records in compliance with applicable laws, ensuring efficient data retrieval when required.
- Coordinated employee grievances and disputes in timely and professional manner by finding constructive solutions.
- Managed complex benefits administration, ensuring accurate enrollment and timely processing of claims.
- Maintained payroll and benefits for employees in various locations, minimizing financial discrepancies through detailed program management.
- Maintained human resources regulatory compliance with relevant legislation.
- Streamlined HR processes for increased efficiency, reducing paperwork and manual tasks through automation.
- Payroll processing of employees on a weekly and monthly basis.
Junior Bookkeeper
Ci-It (Gary Keitzman)
03.2007 - 10.2007
- Created staff expense and reimbursement tracker in Excel.
- Worked closely with the senior bookkeeper to ensure seamless handoff of tasks during periods of absence or transition.
- Maintained organized filing system for important financial documents, ensuring easy access and retrieval when needed.
- Assisted with month-end closing procedures, resulting in timely and accurate financial reporting.
- Ensured accuracy of financial data by performing regular internal audits and identifying discrepancies.
- Reconciled bank statements on a monthly basis to ensure accurate account balances were maintained.
- Assisted with payroll processing, ensuring employees received accurate paychecks in a timely manner.
- Performed data entry, paper filing.
- Relieving of staff when they go on leave processing creditors and debtors.
Education
Baccalaureus Technologiae - Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa 04.2001 -
The National Diploma : Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town 04.2001 -
Evolution Payroll Certified Administrator
Softline Pastel Payroll (Pty) Ltd
Cape Town, South Africa 04.2001 -
Certificate in Practical Bookkeeping & Accounting
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
04.2001 -
Financial Accounting Level 3: VAT & Final Accounts
Northlink College
Cape Town 04.2001 -
Financial Accounting Level 3: Books of First Entry
Northlink College
Cape Town, South Africa 04.2001 -
Bellville Technical High School
Cape Town 04.2001 -
Skills
Operations Management
Customer Relationship Management
Team Leadership
Project Management
Staff Supervision
Operations Oversight
Expense Control
Schedule Management
Budget Analysis
Financial Administration
P&L Management
Business Administration
Verbal and written communication
Affiliations
SAPRO Director (Board Member) From May 2017
Solé Country Estate Trustee May 2018
Solé Country Estate Chairman 2021
SAPRO - Board Member
The South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) represents the plastics re-processors in South Africa. Its members procure sorted, baled end-of-life plastics and re-process it into raw material. The recycled material can be used to manufacture new plastics products. South Africa is amongst the top recycling countries in the world. The Organisation is funded by its members and assists recyclers in Building a recycling industry that is respected and acknowledged by government, industry and the public.
References
Cape Waste Paper - Nico van Wyk (Owner)
Cell no: 082 380 4901
Wingspan Plastics - Herman Pieterse (Managing Director)
Cell no: 082 408 1407
Timeline
General Manager
Wingspan Plastics
01.2014 - Current
Human Resources Manager
Cape Waste Paper
12.2007 - 01.2014
Junior Bookkeeper
Ci-It (Gary Keitzman)
03.2007 - 10.2007
Baccalaureus Technologiae - Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
04.2001 -
The National Diploma : Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
04.2001 -
Evolution Payroll Certified Administrator
Softline Pastel Payroll (Pty) Ltd
04.2001 -
Certificate in Practical Bookkeeping & Accounting
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
04.2001 -
Financial Accounting Level 3: VAT & Final Accounts
Northlink College
04.2001 -
Financial Accounting Level 3: Books of First Entry
Northlink College
04.2001 -
Bellville Technical High School
04.2001 -
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