Lenwor Charlton Roberts
Cape Town
Summary
Accomplished Manager at Transnet Freight Rail with expertise in operations management and stakeholder engagement. Successfully implemented process improvements, enhancing efficiency by 20%. Proven leader in team building and conflict resolution, driving strategic initiatives and fostering a culture of compliance and excellence. Skilled in data analysis and project management, delivering exceptional results.
Possess strong strategic planning abilities, coupled with the capability to coordinate operational initiatives for maximum efficiency. Proven track record of driving process improvements, enhancing productivity, and implementing innovative solutions. Skilled in building strong relationships across all levels of an organization to achieve business goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2013
2013
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Manager Rail Regulator
Transnet Freight Rail
Cape Town
2019.11 - Current
- Optimise and manage the execution of the train plan and monitor the performance against the plan to achieve scheduled railway objectives
- Oversaw daily operations and ensured compliance with safety regulations.
- Managed team schedules and coordinated shift assignments efficiently to improve service levels and to meet shareholder compact targets
- Ensure and enforce effective countdown- process, integrated with the countdown teams ( Service designs, understand cycle and dwell times
- Implemented process improvements to streamline workflow and increase productivity by identifying gaps and escalate for immediate intervention
- Ensure on-time departures and arrival of trains.( Reducing dwell times, monitoring wagon cycle times and ensuring locomotive turnaround time is achieved as per design
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
- Conduct Root cause analysis of train cancellations and ensure proactive and effective deviation management
- Facilitated communication between departments to resolve operational issues.
- Analyzed performance data to identify trends and recommend improvements into Integrated Train Plan (ITP)
- Collaborated with stakeholders on strategic initiatives and project planning.
- Monitored staff performance and addressed issues.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
- Oversaw daily operations, maintaining efficiency and quality standards.
- Implemented process improvements, resulting in an increase in operational efficiency. (Cape Corridor & Manganese Business Unit)
- Resolved customer complaints and issues promptly, maintaining a positive brand image.
- Coordinated cross-departmental projects to ensure timely and successful completion.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Reporting and record safety incidents to the Rail Safety Regulator and provide support to operations in recovery.
- Ensure oversight for timely and accurate incidents updates to promote accountability and supports of a culture of safety and compliance
- Ensure decentralized Clearing House meetings are held daily to review incidents from previous 24 hours.
Acting Execution Manager
Transnet Freight Rail
Cape Town
2024.02 - 2024.10
- Led execution of operational plans across freight rail logistics.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to streamline transportation processes.
- Managed scheduling and resource allocation for efficient rail operations.
- Oversaw compliance with industry regulations and safety standards.
- Implemented process improvements to enhance workflow efficiency.
- Facilitated communication between departments to resolve operational issues.
- Provided guidance and support to team members throughout the duration of each project.
- Participated in monthly proposal review meetings with reliability team to discuss alignment of workload forecasts, actual work progress and proposal commitments with supporting resources.
- Analyzed data related to performance metrics in order to identify areas for improvement or corrective action.
- Delivered value through targeted interactions and robust governance between commercial and external partners.
- Collaborated closely with other departments to coordinate resources required for successful completion of projects.
- Resolved conflicts between team members as needed to maintain productive working relationships.
- Facilitated regular meetings among teams responsible for executing various elements of a given project.
- Monitored staff performance and addressed issues.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Assigned tasks to associates to fit skill levels and maximize team performance.
- Recruited and hired qualified candidates to fill open positions.
- Enhanced team member performance through use of strategic and tactical approaches, motivational coaching and training.
- Led team meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions to continuously improve performance.
- Streamlined communication channels, improving information flow and decision-making speed.
- Coordinated cross-departmental projects to ensure timely and successful completion.
- Implemented process improvements, resultingin an increase in operational efficiency.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Implemented successful business strategies to increase revenue and target new markets.
- Created effective business plans to focus strategic decisions on long-term objectives.
- Monitored progress by establishing plans, budgets and measuring results.
Yard official
Transnet Freight Rail
Port Elizabeth
2005.08 - 2019.10
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Execute the yard production plan (Works order) and ensure the right wagons are reserved for the right train
- Ensure clearing of loaded and empty wagons from customer sidings
- Manage activities associated with arrival,departure loading and offloading of trains to ensure a scheduled railway
- Ensure optimal utilisation of yard lines for shunting purposes
- Monitor and control the storing of train auxiliary equipment to ensure optimal utilisation
- Anticipate, identify, assess and monitor key operational risks and controls within operational environment.
- Record and report all safety incidents
- Ensure correct marshalling of trains and commodities.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma Business Administration - Business Administration And Management
Wits Business School
Johannesburg 2025.02 - 2025.09
Advance Diploma Management Practice - Business Administration
Henley Business School
Johannesburg 2023.02 - 2024.04
Certificate Of Completion - Rail Business Performance Enhancement for Managers
University of Pretoria
2021.10 - 2022.06
National Diploma: Operations Management - Operations Management
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Port Elizabeth 2012.02 - 2016.12
Middelande Senior Secondary
MiddelburgSkills
- Project management
- Operations management
- Data analysis
- Team building
- Customer service
- Communication skills
- Compliance monitoring
- Stakeholder engagement
- Process improvement
- Work prioritization
- Business development
- Decision-making
- Shift scheduling
- Staff development
- Stakeholder management
- Policy and procedure development
- Documentation and reporting
- Budget control
- Employee onboarding
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Conflict resolution
- Safety procedures
- Clear communication
- Performance management
- Disciplinary techniques
- Verbal and written communication
- Time management
- Business planning
- Schedule preparation
- Task delegation
- Strategic planning
- Negotiation
- Complex Problem-solving
- Team leadership
- Relationship building
- Resource allocation
- Risk management
- Project planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Policy implementation
- Cross-functional team management
- Workforce management
- Interpersonal relations
- Technical proficiency
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Interpersonal skills
- Supply chain management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Performance evaluations
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Postgraduate Diploma Business Administration - Business Administration And Management
Wits Business School
2025.02 - 2025.09
Acting Execution Manager
Transnet Freight Rail
2024.02 - 2024.10
Advance Diploma Management Practice - Business Administration
Henley Business School
2023.02 - 2024.04
Certificate Of Completion - Rail Business Performance Enhancement for Managers
University of Pretoria
2021.10 - 2022.06
Manager Rail Regulator
Transnet Freight Rail
2019.11 - Current
National Diploma: Operations Management - Operations Management
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
2012.02 - 2016.12
Yard official
Transnet Freight Rail
2005.08 - 2019.10
Middelande Senior Secondary