Letlhogonolo Thobejane
Chief People And Culture Officer
Johannesburg
Summary
I am a dynamic and results-driven professional with a vast strategic and operational experience in the retail sector across Africa. I am a seasoned Operator with a proven track record of turning Operations around into sustainable, winning organisations through people. My key attributes are my ability to adapt to unfamiliar environments and look for opportunities to improve rapidly. I have a strong passion for people and their potential and I enjoy being part of, as well as leading successful and productive teams. I have high levels of energy and resourcefulness in solving problems. I am goal orientated, entrepreneurial and tenacious in executing strategic plans. Beyond leadership I remain deeply committed to driving tangible change across the continent specifically around woman and Youth Development
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Chief People, Purpose & Culture
KFC Africa
05.2023 - Current
- Overall responsibility and accountability of people and culture over the Sub-Saharan region, overseeing and accelerating the groups people agenda while ensuring franchise partners uphold KFC standards and values when it comes to feeding and unleashing the potential of our people for sustainable business growth.
- Report to KFC Africa GM
- $ 1,8 Bil Busines
- Responsible for ±40 000 staff through 42 Franchisees, 1400 stores across Africa
- Partnered with UJ on the NQF (3-6) Accredited Programmes for the KFC Employees (Streetwise Academy) delivering the biggest co- Hort in 2024
- Add Hope as the largest feeding scheme after the government with 30mil meals a day
- Inclusive supply base in diversifying our supply base with female suppliers with 3 out of the 25 businesses onboarded already
- A sponsor and responsible for the KFC Women On the Move development programme and extended network with a reach to the 60% female TM in the KFC employee population of 40 000. Adopted globally through a global programme called SHINE
- Africa to the world : Exported 4 key talent globally. COO to the biggest KFC market USA, COO to Western Europe, Global Marketing Innovation Role and a Head of Marketing to Germany.
Chief People and Culture Officer
KFC Africa
03.2023 - Current
Head Of the Rest Of Sub-Saharan Africa
KFC Africa
01.2017 - 08.2018
- Managed the 23 Countries outside SA in the Subsaharan Africa. Tasked with integrating 'South Africa' into the rest of Africa. Responsible for driving the commercial success and strategic direction of the Rest of the Sub Saharan countries. This role was responsible for overseeing the development and execution of strategic business plans, identifying growth opportunities, and ensuring the company's commercial activities align with its overall objectives.
- Report to KFC Africa GM
- Operation spanning across 23 Sub- Saharan Countries.
- Responsible for 2000 staff through 14 Franchisees and 6 direct reports.
- Successfully opened 4 new Markets with 1 done virtually in the COVID Pendamic
- Implemented the successful playbook in opening new markets in Africa
- Achieved a record high of $ 280,052,430 with highest number of builds
Operations Director
KFC Rest Of Sub-Saharan
05.2015 - 12.2016
- Report to KFC AFRICA COO
- Responsible for execution of all KFC South Africa Franchise sales in Restaurant and associated operations activities, designed to deliver continuous sales growth, revenue growth, and margin expansion (profit targets).
- Drives the Operations strategy, executes a consistent customer experience across all the restaurants in Rest of Sub-Saharan Africa
- Executes a world class Operations Culture and ensures perfect Customer Experience remains priority #1.
- Contributes to the Operations agenda as a member of the Operations Leadership Team Accountable for brewery operations including inbound and outbound logistics
- R400mio CAPIN in brewery productivity improvement and waste reduction projects.
- Turned Rest of Africa operational performance around from 15 positions decline per annum in global rankings over the last 4 years to 6 positions better within 2 year.
Director Of Capability
KFC Africa
08.2011 - 04.2015
- Tasked with incubating new Franchisees for new Sub- Saharan markets had to ensure that they have the right organisational design, talent and training to drive the Africa growth agenda. Ran a Franchise Capability tower where best practices, expertise, leadership development and training was centralised to accelerate Franchisee Capability
- Reported to the Africa CPO
- Conceptualised and developed a clear strategy around capability building
- Put together the Franchisee tower to open the 14 markets in the Sub-Saharan Africa
- Trained and signed off talent for all the markets, East, west Africa and Islands
HR Manager
KFC Africa
01.2009 - 07.2011
- Managed the restaurant support centre.
- Led the HR function for a workforce of 200 employees, developing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
- Managed HR operations, ensuring compliance with labour laws and regulations.
- Developed and executed talent management strategies, including succession planning and leadership development.
- Oversaw employee relations, handling complex ER issues and providing guidance to management.
- Implemented training and development programs, enhancing employee skills and capabilities.
- Managed compensation and benefits programs, ensuring competitive and equitable practices
Equity Regional Coach
KFC Arica
01.2005 - 12.2009
- Responsible for driving Operations strategy, execution in a consistent customer experience across 50 restaurants in South Africa Reported to Equity Director
- Responsible for Xxxx turnover
- Managing 1500 employees with 6 direct reports
Human Resource Business Partner
KFC Africa
05.2003 - 12.2004
- This role provides superior support and expertise to a wide range of internal clients. Serving as a designated point of contact for Equity HR related matters. This position provides proactive and timely HR support as well as guidance focusing on benefits, employee relations, company policy and procedure, performance management, and compliance. The ideal candidate will be proactive, resourceful and efficient while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
Franchise Consultant
Famous Brands
01.2001 - 04.2003
- Reported to Packaging Manager.
- Span of control of 64 people.
- Managed a Can Line and an NRB and within 6 months were the best units of the kind in the country.
- Promoted to the worst performing RB Line and within 12 months turned the line around to the best line in SAB Ltd.
- Identified of focus areas in accordance with the plant’s loss and waste analysis.
- Ensured reliable delivery of production plan at targeted efficiencies and yields.
- Development of personnel and custodian of performance management and change management.
- Managed suppliers, support services and resources towards successful delivery of the line’s objectives.
- Responsible for successful planning and execution of maintenance with least interruptions to production/ volume requirements.
- Ensuring compliance to Quality and Safety Systems
Foods Manager
Woolwoths
01.2000 - 12.2000
- Reported to Factory Manager
- Responsible for maintenance of equipment and facilities
- Span of control 20 technicians
Team Member to Restaurant General Manger
McDonald
01.1995 - 12.1999
- Entry level position responsible for restaurant management
- Held a number of developmental positions in Mcdonalds
Education
BBibl - B Library and Information Science
University of Pretoria
01.1996 - 01.2000
Training Diploma - undefined
University of South Africa
Post Diploma in HR - undefined
University of Johannesburg
Maters In Business Administration -
Gordons Institute of Business Studies
04.2001 - 01.2008
Skills
- Leading & Developing People
- Talent Management
- Strategic Planning
- Operational Excellence
- Performance Turn-around
Presentation Skills
Good presentation skills
Timeline
Chief People, Purpose & Culture
KFC Africa
05.2023 - Current
Chief People and Culture Officer
KFC Africa
03.2023 - Current
Head Of the Rest Of Sub-Saharan Africa
KFC Africa
01.2017 - 08.2018
Operations Director
KFC Rest Of Sub-Saharan
05.2015 - 12.2016
Director Of Capability
KFC Africa
08.2011 - 04.2015
HR Manager
KFC Africa
01.2009 - 07.2011
Equity Regional Coach
KFC Arica
01.2005 - 12.2009
Human Resource Business Partner
KFC Africa
05.2003 - 12.2004
Maters In Business Administration -
Gordons Institute of Business Studies
04.2001 - 01.2008
Franchise Consultant
Famous Brands
01.2001 - 04.2003
Foods Manager
Woolwoths
01.2000 - 12.2000
BBibl - B Library and Information Science
University of Pretoria
01.1996 - 01.2000
Team Member to Restaurant General Manger
McDonald
01.1995 - 12.1999
Training Diploma - undefined
University of South Africa
Post Diploma in HR - undefined
University of Johannesburg
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