Maropene Klaas Phoko
Industrial Engineer
Glen Marais
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven industrial engineer with over a decade of experience optimizing supply chain operations, driving productivity improvements, and leading large-scale continuous improvement initiatives. Skilled in leveraging Lean Six Sigma methodologies, data analysis, and advanced technical tools such as SQL, Power BI, and SAP to deliver measurable business impact. Proven expertise in e-commerce productivity, distribution network optimization, and supply chain planning across leading organizations. Adept at managing cross-functional teams, fostering stakeholder alignment, and implementing innovative solutions to achieve strategic objectives. Dedicated professional with a strong academic background and a commitment to driving operational excellence and continuous improvement in fast-paced environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
17
17
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Language
Work History
Manager: Ecomm Productivity
Massmart
12.2021 - Current
- Drive productivity improvements for material fulfillment in stores by enhancing engineering processes, systems, material handling equipment (MHE), packaging, and space utilization
- Collect and analyze data, conducting root cause analyses to identify opportunities for improving fulfillment service level adherence
- Monitor and identify inconsistencies in processes, recommending enhancements for fulfillment metrics and processes
- Collaborate with the data management team to automate repetitive insights, utilizing SQL and Power BI for short-term reporting automation
- Ensure alignment of systems and prioritize flight paths to support the strategic objectives of e-commerce operations
- Develop fulfillment metrics, internal analysis tools, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that impact fulfillment operations across the business
- Work closely with Supply Chain, Central Operations, and Store Fulfillment teams to align business objectives, KPIs, and customer expectations
- Provide operational reports and analysis to reflect performance, trends, policy and procedure non-adherence, and improvement opportunities, informing future fulfillment planning and management
- Monitor and escalate poor operational performance related to customer orders to store operations, final mile operations, and supply chain teams, following up on corrective actions to drive improvement
- Drive the development, implementation, and management of processes and policies as necessary to optimize performance
- Utilize in-depth understanding of fulfillment productivity to support labor scheduling and resource allocation
- Identify and resolve ineffective and inefficient processes in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy
- Review and optimize space utilization, picking processes, inventory management, and final mile performance through continuous improvement initiatives
- Maintain effective and regular communication with all relevant stakeholders, including Supply Chain, Central Operations, Store Fulfillment teams, and other cross-functional teams, ensuring a shared understanding of fulfillment initiatives and fostering support and cooperation
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in fulfillment and supply chain management, proactively seeking opportunities for innovation and improvement
Engineer: Distribution Development
Clover S.A
06.2019 - 11.2021
- Ensuring the best and most cost-effective Distribution Network by aligning with the business strategy
- Optimize and improve the respective warehouses (current/new) in terms of design, processes, and systems
- Oversee facility planning and optimization
- Developing business cases to present possible continuous improvements projects
- Conduct work & time studies inside Clover's Warehouses for better understanding of the processes
- Support DC Managers to streamline the distribution process
- Coordinate and manage Distribution initiatives and projects
- Ensure that the warehouse picking process is as automated as possible
- Continuous improvement of KPI’s by Warehouse Coordinators
- Work as a project leader for different projects with the objective of streamlining the distribution process
- Ensure that change management tactics are applied to increase employee engagement and reduce reluctance to change
- Implementation of new processes and training of end-users
Manager: Supply Planning
Tiger Brands
10.2017 - 05.2019
- Determine optimal inventory levels for distribution centers (DCs) and production plants, ensuring alignment with defined business KPIs
- Maximize production capacity while considering inventory costs and service level objectives
- Provide guidance and leadership to supply chain planners, ensuring objectives are met and driving continuous improvement
- Oversee inventory management at manufacturing facilities and DCs, optimizing stock levels and minimizing write-offs
- Act as a project leader for innovation projects related to planning aspects, driving process improvements and efficiency
- Continuously improve inventory turnover through effective planning and forecasting
- Support supply planners in preparing comprehensive supply review packs, incorporating key insights and recommendations
- Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to assess capacity availability and limitations for existing and new business simulations
- Partner with demand planning, marketing, logistics, customer service, sourcing, sales, and finance to develop and implement strategies for product launches, rollouts, inventory shortages, excess inventory, and end-of-life product distribution
- Manage supplier relationships, monitoring performance, and ensuring compliance with service level agreements (SLAs)
- Lead and implement S&OP in factories
- Collaborate with the production team on a weekly basis to agree on the production schedule, ensuring alignment with demand
- Optimize scheduling of factory resources to meet the production plan, considering constraints and available capacity
- Identify and communicate production constraints to key stakeholders, facilitating proactive resolution and minimizing disruptions
- Plan production for third-party SKU's, taking into account their specific production and transportation constraints
- Analyze and assess adherence and conformance to the production plan on a weekly and monthly basis, identifying areas for improvement
- Construct a production loss tree to identify root causes of non-conformance and develop action plans to address them
- Prepare monthly supply review meeting (SRM) packs, presenting production capabilities, constraints, and performance
- Lead production planning meetings, coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure smooth operations
- Calculate the volume of products to be imported monthly based on capacity constraints, optimizing inventory levels
- Minimize working capital while maintaining the desired customer service level, balancing inventory and cash flow
- Determine target closing stock based on days' cover for raw materials, packaging materials, and finished goods
- Plan maintenance shutdowns within the factory while ensuring the targeted closing stock is maintained
- Evaluate, estimate, and report potential write-offs and stock runouts, implementing measures to minimize losses
- Coordinate with the supply chain coordinator for raw materials or packaging requirements, ensuring timely availability
- Collaborate with warehouse coordinators to manage warehouse space requirements effectively
- Create a customer service level loss tree to track order-fill percentage, identifying areas of improvement
- Investigate the root causes of weekly order-fill percentages below 98% and develop action plans to improve performance
- Develop SKU-specific action plans to achieve weekly order-fill percentages above 98% through proactive planning and coordination
Supply Chain Planner
Barloworld Equipment
06.2013 - 09.2017
- Develop and maintain a robust Global Available to Promise (GATP) and stock replenishment system within the SAP Advanced Planning Optimizer (APO) system
- Ensure accurate and timely placement of stock replenishment orders to achieve on-time delivery in full for the biscuits, meals, and imports product lines
- Create and optimize process flows in SAP to streamline stock replenishment procedures and improve overall operational efficiency
- Monitor and track operation schedules and inventory availability, taking necessary actions to meet established targets
- Conduct in-depth investigations and root-cause analyses of under-replenished stock and back-ordered materials, implementing corrective measures to prevent recurrence
- Foster collaboration and integration among suppliers, aligning material and service delivery to establish a seamless and efficient supply chain
- Manage calls and demand tables in SAP to ensure accurate recording and tracking of sales, maintaining data integrity
- Generate regular reports and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to supply planning, identifying areas for improvement and implementing appropriate strategies
- Identify gaps and inefficiencies within the overall supply chain, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance KPI performance
- Oversee the core interface between SAP APO and the main interface (SAP ECC), resolving issues and ensuring smooth data flow between systems
- Run materials requirements planning reports, analyzing data and making data-driven recommendations to optimize inventory levels and meet demand
- Ensure contractors' compliance with contract terms and conditions, policies, procedures, and commercial processes, conducting regular audits and providing guidance when necessary
Education
Matric -
Rasema Secondary
Certified in Planning & Inventory Management - undefined
APICS
Postgraduate Diploma - Business Admin
University of the Witwatersrand
BEngHons - Technology Management
University of Pretoria
BEng - Industrial Engineering
University of Pretoria
Skills
Communication skills
Verbal communication
Written communication
Facilitation skills
Presentation skills
Advanced Excel
Advanced Access
Data Manipulation
Data Analysis
Power Pivots
Power BI
VBA
SQL programming
Matlab
Lingo
Simio
Arena
Mathematical aptitude
Analytical skills
Problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
People management
Team leadership
Business acumen
Financial skills
Budgeting
Cash flow management
Personal Information
- ID Number: 9012305777084
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: Code C1
- Marital Status: Single
Timeline
Manager: Ecomm Productivity
Massmart
12.2021 - Current
Engineer: Distribution Development
Clover S.A
06.2019 - 11.2021
Manager: Supply Planning
Tiger Brands
10.2017 - 05.2019
Supply Chain Planner
Barloworld Equipment
06.2013 - 09.2017
Certified in Planning & Inventory Management - undefined
APICS
Postgraduate Diploma - Business Admin
University of the Witwatersrand
BEngHons - Technology Management
University of Pretoria
BEng - Industrial Engineering
University of Pretoria
Matric -
Rasema Secondary