Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic
Joshua Naicker

Joshua Naicker

Durban

Summary

Dynamic Engineering Project Manager with a proven track record at PepsiCo, excelling in project management and stakeholder engagement. Spearheaded initiatives that achieved significant cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency. Expertise in engineering design and risk assessment, complemented by strong leadership and negotiation skills, driving successful project outcomes across diverse teams.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Engineering: Project Manager

PepsiCo
Durban
06.2024 - Current
  • Managed projects from inception to completion.
  • Managed tender processes for high-value projects.
  • Project stakeholder management, inclusive of legal, procurement, quality, operations, suppliers, and finance teams.
  • Direct oversight of project budgets ranging from small (less than R2 million) to large capital projects (over R60 million).
  • Responsible for the development of the business case, financial implications, depreciation of assets over the lifespan of equipment, as well as safe execution aligned with all company policies.
  • Worked across international geographies importing equipment to South Africa dealing with customs clearing and all levels of project execution
  • A vast range of project management, inclusive of civil engineering, chemical engineering, fully compliant fire systems, mechanical, and electrical engineering projects.
  • Managed project teams, inclusive of site personnel and contractors, of over 20 people at a time.
  • Excellent track record with all projects delivered within budget and forecasted time frames.
  • Implemented quality assurance processes to ensure that all deliverables met customer expectations.
  • Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, codes and standards related to engineering projects.
  • Provided technical guidance in the development of product specifications, designs, standards and test protocols.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors or subcontractors in order to secure necessary resources at competitive prices.
  • Established communication channels between internal teams as well as customers or vendors.
  • Prepared detailed cost estimates for new projects based on resource requirements and timelines.
  • Identified potential risks associated with the project scope and proposed solutions for mitigation.
  • Conducted regular meetings with team members to discuss progress and address any issues or concerns.
  • Developed and maintained project plans, schedules, budgets and scopes of work.
  • Evaluated proposals from consultants or contractors prior to awarding contracts for specialized tasks.
  • Collaborated with engineering teams to design and implement complex technical solutions.
  • Managed external vendors and suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials and services.
  • Coordinated resources across multiple departments to ensure successful project execution.
  • Reviewed existing processes and procedures related to engineering projects in order to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Conducted regular meetings with stakeholders to review progress, resolve issues, and identify areas of improvement.
  • Maintained accurate records of all documents related to engineering projects including drawings, specifications, reports.
  • Oversaw activities of contractors working within building and on job sites.
  • Responsible for projects over a large geography in South Africa, often traveling between provinces.
  • Identified and implemented most acceptable resolutions to complex engineering problems.
  • Coordinated contractors, architects, and other project team members to deliver high-quality projects within specified timeframes.

Engineering: Technical Services

PepsiCo
Cape Town
05.2023 - 06.2024
  • Selected for elite leadership development program, enhancing skills in sustainability and strategic operations through a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Operations at Rhodes University.
  • Spearheaded a packaging waste reduction initiative, delivering annual savings of ZAR 2.5 million and earning Six Sigma certification.
  • Pioneered the implementation of a sustainability scorecard, effectively tracking and optimizing energy and water consumption across multiple sites.
  • Recognized as a subject matter expert in wastewater treatment, providing key training and knowledge transfer.
  • Conducted comprehensive risk assessments, addressing critical issues identified by myEHS and reducing near-miss incidents.
  • Led quality audits, offering strategic recommendations for improvements in line with GEHSMS global standards.
  • Formulated robust business contingency plans to ensure operational resilience.
  • Collaborated on cost-saving measures and innovative engineering projects with regional teams, driving efficiency.
  • Endorsed by the CEO to revolutionize meeting structures, enhancing organizational communication and productivity.

Quality Engineer

Rheinmetall–Denel Munition
Cape Town
02.2022 - 04.2023
  • Spearheaded Quality Management System compliance, ensuring robust adherence to QMS and client specifications, while facilitating the development of key quality processes, including records management and electronic data control.
  • Drove continuous improvement initiatives, substantiated by 8D reports for meticulous root cause analysis, and proactively initiated Corrective Action Reports (CARs) and Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
  • Expertly managed Quality Engineering tasks, overseeing the preparation and maintenance of technical documentation, guaranteeing traceable product build histories, and monitoring manufacturing processes for quality assurance.
  • Developed and maintained project FMECA, crafted detailed process inspection reports, and actively participated in QA representation during internal and external design reviews.
  • Implemented stringent controls for non-conforming items in development phases, and exercised decisive authority in Material Review Board decisions for preventative and corrective actions.
  • Facilitated product acceptance and release, ensuring products met stringent criteria for formal development testing, manufacturing, and qualification processes, while also regulating raw material acceptance and evaluating test results for compliance.
  • Championed quality improvements through rigorous auditing, corrective actions, and hands-on involvement in continuous improvement projects.
  • Provided operational and production support by investigating quality defects, identifying root causes, and analyzing data to inform corrective and preventative measures, complemented by regular reviews of inspection data and preparation of comprehensive statistical and operational performance reports.
  • Contributed to change management by advising on necessary modifications to enhance product quality and process efficiency.

Global Management Trainee

British American Tobacco
Gauteng
02.2021 - 10.2021
  • Achieved a 60% reduction in changeover time on a critical manufacturing line through meticulous time studies and leading to a streamlined, lean process.
  • Spearheaded the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance (AM), authoring the AM manual and training area managers, targeting the line with the highest stoppage rates.
  • Authored a Preventive Maintenance (PM) guidebook, educated the production engineering team, and introduced dashboards for effective defect and MP&S management.
  • Enhanced daily performance by visualizing defects and correlating them with shift-based Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) metrics.
  • Halved startup times at the manufacturing facility, significantly improving operational efficiency.
  • Led the rollout of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), conducted site audits, and addressed the primary quality loss issue of infestation.
  • Drove skills development and loss tracking on the manufacturing line by creating visual management boards for AM, focusing on operator/technician competencies and identifying top 90-day losses.
  • Fulfilled the role of site process engineer, actively participating in management meetings and reporting on downtime metrics, with a strategic focus on surpassing glide path targets.

Engineering Graduate

Reckitt Benckiser
Gauteng
02.2019 - 02.2021
  • Applied scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles to troubleshoot and enhance operational processes.
  • Spearheaded design and execution of plans to align with organizational objectives, ensuring successful project completion.
  • Monitored production workflows, conducted research, and implemented strategies to boost efficiency and product quality.
  • Utilized advanced computer skills for data analysis and process optimization.
  • Developed and enforced safety protocols and waste management systems to maintain a sustainable work environment.
  • Oversaw the implementation, testing, and refinement of processes, machinery, and facility infrastructure.
  • Contributed to budget planning and deadline setting to maintain financial and project timelines.
  • Led water recycling initiative, engineering a solution to reclaim 2500L of reverse osmosis water per hour, significantly reducing costs.
  • Managed boiler operations overhaul, including vendor outsourcing and equipment upgrades, to enhance steam production efficiency.
  • Redesigned heat exchanger system to ensure optimal product temperature, improving overall product quality.
  • Authored capital expenditure (Capex) and operational expenditure (Opex) reports, driving continuous manufacturing process advancements.
  • Directed aerosol production line as team leader, implementing SMED, process optimization, and value stream mapping for heightened efficiency.
  • Employed root cause analysis and Six Sigma methodologies, such as '5 Whys' and DMAIC, to identify and rectify process inefficiencies.
  • Executed process engineering and technology transfers with a focus on cost-saving measures, achieving an annual R1 million reduction in labor expenses through waste and downtime minimization.

Education

Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration

Rhodes University
Cape Town, South Africa

Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering

University of KwaZulu Natal
Durban, South Africa
01.2018

Skills

  • Engineering Design
  • Process Improvement
  • Microsoft (All Platforms)
  • Sustainability
  • Waste Water Treatment
  • Project Management
  • Production Engineering
  • Project management
  • Stakeholder management
  • Budget management
  • Risk assessment
  • Quality assurance
  • Contract negotiation
  • Technical documentation
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Process improvement
  • Data analysis
  • Change management
  • Operational efficiency
  • Engineering design
  • Critical thinking

Certification

  • Statistical Process Control Rheinmetall Denel Munition Aug 2022
  • Advanced Statistical and Process Control Rheinmetall Denel Munition Sep 2022
  • ISO9001: Internal Auditor IRCA Cape Town Feb 2023
  • Business Management Modules Rhodes University Jun 2023 - Present
  • Waste Water Treatment Set Level 1 PepsiCo Jul 2023
  • Six Sigma: Yellow Belt PepsiCo Nov 2023

Affiliations

  • Musician
  • Musical director
  • Soccer

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Engineering: Project Manager

PepsiCo
06.2024 - Current

Engineering: Technical Services

PepsiCo
05.2023 - 06.2024

Quality Engineer

Rheinmetall–Denel Munition
02.2022 - 04.2023

Global Management Trainee

British American Tobacco
02.2021 - 10.2021

Engineering Graduate

Reckitt Benckiser
02.2019 - 02.2021

Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration

Rhodes University

Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering

University of KwaZulu Natal
Joshua Naicker