Desired job title
Senior Customer Service ManagerRailway Expert ManagerNew Business Development ManagerWork Type
Full timeLocation preference
RemoteOn-siteHybridLocation: Kempton Park, South Africa
Open to relocation: No
MASHADI MARGARET MASEKO
Railway & Marine Segment Manager(Southern-Africa)
Kempton Park,South Africa
Work preference
Summary
Accomplished and highly strategic Railway Segment Manager, Commercial Executive, and Business Development Leader with over 25 years of experience driving business growth, commercial excellence, and strategic partnerships across the railway, logistics, port, engineering, and supply chain sectors throughout South Africa and the SADC region. A proven leader with extensive expertise in business development, strategic account management, tender management, contract negotiations, customer relationship management, and market expansion within complex industrial and infrastructure environments.
Currently leading the Railway Segment for Southern Africa at SKF South Africa, responsible for developing and executing growth strategies, managing key customer relationships, identifying new market opportunities, and delivering innovative engineering and asset reliability solutions to railway operators, OEMs, mining houses, ports, and industrial organizations. Recognized for building sustainable customer partnerships, securing high-value contracts, and consistently exceeding revenue and profitability objectives.
Combines strong commercial acumen with technical knowledge in rotating equipment, condition monitoring, lubrication systems, asset reliability, maintenance strategies, and industrial engineering solutions. Demonstrated success in navigating complex stakeholder environments, leading cross-functional teams, managing multimillion-rand business portfolios, and influencing executive-level decision-making.
A respected industry professional known for strategic thinking, customer-centric leadership, operational excellence, and the ability to translate business opportunities into profitable, long-term partnerships. Passionate about advancing rail and logistics infrastructure development, driving innovation, and contributing to organizational growth through effective leadership, sound governance, and execution of sustainable business strategies.
Overview
6
6
Languages
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of post-secondary education
26
26
years of professional experience
Work history
Railway & Marine Segment Manager - Southern Africa
SKF Pty Ltd South Africa
Kempton Park, South Africa
2025.07 - Current
- Results-driven Railway Segment Manager, Commercial Manager and Business Development Leader with more than 25 years of experience across railway operations, engineering solutions, logistics, port operations, customer service, strategic account management, tender management, commercial leadership and supply chain management throughout South Africa and SADC region. Currently leading Railway Segment for Southern Africa at SKF Pty Ltd South Africa, global engineering company specializing in rotating equipment, bearing technologies, condition monitoring, asset reliability, lubrication systems and industrial maintenance solutions. Responsible for driving market growth, strategic customer partnerships, tender management, and engineering solution development for railway operators, OEMs and industrial customers across Southern Africa.
- Maintained inventory control, reduced stock shortages.
- Delegated tasks efficiently to maximise productivity.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients to secure repeat business.
- Implemented cost reduction measures, reduced overhead expenses.
- Coordinated cross-departmental collaboration for improved workflow.
- Developed accurate sales forecasts for improved strategic planning.
- Negotiated vendor contracts to secure favourable terms and conditions.
- Delivered high-quality products to increase customer satisfaction.
- Fostered a positive work environment with regular team-building activities.
- Identified growth opportunities through comprehensive market research.
- Analysed market trends to inform strategic decision-making processes.
- Maintained smooth-running business operations by delegating priorities to staff abilities.
- Handled negotiations with outside vendors and service agencies to meet group needs.
- Established clear budgets and cost controls strategies to meet objectives.
- Planned revenue generation strategies designed for growth.
- Represented organisations at seminars, conferences and business events.
Senior Commercial & New Business Development
Transnet Port Terminals
Richards Bay
2024.09 - 2025.06
- Identify companies that could route additional cargo through Richards Bay.
Understand prospective customers' cargo type, volumes and logistics requirements.
Develop the commercial case for bringing that cargo through TPT. - Achieved sustainable revenue growth through strategic account planning.
- Identified new business opportunities through market and industry analysis.
- Delivered commercial insights and executive reporting.
- Engaged with shipping lines, freight forwarders, exporters, importers, mining customers and logistics service providers.
- Supported business planning initiatives aimed at increasing terminal volumes and revenue generation.
- Monitored commercial performance, customer trends and cargo volume forecasts.
- Collaborated with terminal operations teams to align customer requirements with operational capabilities.
- Crafted customer value propositions that increased cargo throughput and optimised terminal utilisation.
- Managed pricing models, commercial agreements and contracts.
- Participated in contract negotiations, tariff discussions and service-level agreement management.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between commercial, operations, planning and customer service teams.
- Supported development of integrated logistics and supply chain solutions for customers.
- Improved customer service delivery through operational efficiency initiatives.
- Strengthened organisational positioning as preferred logistics partner through targeted branding and service differentiation.
- Identified operational improvement opportunities to enhance terminal efficiency and customer experience.
- Directed stakeholder engagement initiatives that elevated customer satisfaction and fortified commercial relationships.
- Managed a team of Key Account Managers
- Navigated complex contract negotiations to secure profitable deals.
- Collaborated cross-functionally to optimise service offerings.
- Fostered long-term business relationships with key industry contacts.
Key Account Manager
Transnet Freight Rail
Gauteng, South Africa
2010.01 - 2024.08
- Developed and executed Key Account Plans aligned to customer business objectives, revenue growth targets and long-term partnership strategies.
- Managed strategic customer portfolios across mining, steel, cement, agricultural, coal ,iron ore, manganese and industrial sectors to drive revenue growth and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Negotiated commercial agreements, tariffs, pricing structures, service level agreements and customer contracts.
- Conducted market analysis, customer profiling, industry research and business growth planning to identify new revenue opportunities and enhance customer retention strategies.
- Built and maintained strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, operations teams, engineering teams, supply chain partners, legal department, executive management and industry stakeholders.
- Conducted regular customer operational site visits to strengthen relationships, identify improvement opportunities and ensure service excellence.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration among customer service, operations, engineering, planning and commercial teams to enhance service delivery and operational performance.
- Monitored customer service performance, operational efficiencies and supply chain requirements to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborated with Transnet Engineering and operational teams to manage consignment profiles, loading specifications and adherence to customer operational requirements.
- Prepared business forecasts, budgets, operational reports and customer performance reviews to support strategic decision-making.
- Ensured compliance with railway safety standards, loading and offloading profiles, operational procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Increased sales within Steel and Cement sectors by 11% during 2017/2018.
- Delivered sustainable revenue growth through strategic customer management.
- Enhanced reporting accuracy and forecasting capability.
Customer Service Manager
Transnet Freight Rail
2007.01 - 2010.01
- Managed customer communication and service recovery activities.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction and service delivery.
- Oversaw wagon distribution and operational planning to optimise service delivery.
- Coordinated loading and offloading operations to ensure timely execution.
- Facilitated daily operational performance meetings to align team objectives and enhance communication.
- Coordinated wagon maintenance and repairs.
- Monitored T1-T5 railway operating cycles.
- Documented significant professional milestones and contributions to projects.
- Improved wagon turnaround performance.
- Strengthened stakeholder alignment and communication.
Chief Admin Officer
Transnet Freight Rail
2005.01 - 2007.01
- Managed fleet utilisation and monitored operational performance to enhance service delivery.
- Improved operational forecasting and reporting accuracy.
- Conducted root-cause investigations and implemented corrective actions to resolve operational issues.
- Coordinated distribution of wagons and locomotives to optimise operational readiness.
- Facilitated daily operational review meetings.
- Highlighted key accomplishments and contributions to operational improvements.
- Reduced empty wagon cycle times.
- Maintained operational reporting systems.
- Maintained 100% safety compliance.
Senior Admin Officer
Transnet Freight Rail
2003.01 - 2005.01
- Generated operational reports to inform strategic decisions.
- Coordinated locomotive and wagon distribution to optimise resource allocation.
- Monitored locomotive and wagon turnaround performance to identify bottlenecks.
- Escalated operational issues and risks.
- Highlighted key accomplishments in operational performance.
- Improved reporting accuracy.
- Enhanced operational coordination.
Yard Official (Train Marshalling)
Transnet Freight Rail
2001.01 - 2003.01
- Executed train marshalling, dispatching, and receiving operations to ensure smooth flow of train movements.
- Reduced yard delays through effective operational coordination.
- Coordinated wagon placement and siding activities to optimise yard space and improve operational efficiency.
- Verified train documentation and cargo consignments to maintain compliance and ensure accurate loading.
- Maintained 100% safety compliance.
- Recognised for outstanding performance in safety compliance
- Conducted safety inspections.
- Oversaw maintenance schedules.
- Conducted risk assessments to ensure public safety.
- Worked diligently under pressure whilst preserving high-quality output.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Ensured safety by routinely patrolling and conducting security checks.
Education
Diploma - Railway Operations Management
Glasgow Caledonian University
South Africa 2019.03 - 2021.11
Senior Secondary Certificate - Grade 12
Rivoni Secondary School
Benoni, Gauteng 1998.01 - 1998.12
Diploma - Software Specialist
Boston Business College
Springs, Gauteng 1999.01 - 1999.12
Skills
- Regulatory knowledge
- Contract negotiation skills
- Contract administration
- Financial analysis
- Financial reporting
- Budget management
- Sales strategy
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic planning
- Project Management
- Customer relationship building
- Logistical planning
- Procurement procedures
- Product knowledge
- Salesforce expertise
- Customer relationship building
- Negotiation techniques
- Team Leadership
- Cross-functional leadership
- Intercultural competence
- Cultural awareness
- Communication effectiveness
- Interpersonal communication
- Leadership skills
- Mentoring and coaching
- Resilience under pressure
- Process optimisation
- Policy development
- Engineering solution development
- Organisational growth
- Inventory management
- Operational support
- Negotiation techniques
- Marketing strategies knowledge
- Public speaking
- Railway operations
- Budget management
- Regulatory understanding
- Process optimisation
- Organisational growth
- Salesforce expertise
- Sales targets setting
- Resource allocation proficiency
- Ethical conduct
- Financial Forecasting
Certification
Certificate Train Marshalling, Transnet Faculty of Education (2001), Certificate Diversity Management (Train the Trainer) (2004), Certificate Customer Service Management, UNISA (2010), Certificate Key Account Planning, GIBS (2011), Certificate Project Management, GIBS (2018), In-House Sales Negotiations Programme, GIBS (2018), Certificate Senior Leadership Development, Wits Business School (2020)
REFERENCES
Available upon request.
Accomplishments
- Certificate in Local Area Customer Excellence (2018)
- Certificate in Sales Customer Centricity (2018)
- Introduced Financial Mapping Rebate Model at Transnet Freight Rail
- Increased customer sales in the Steel and Cement sectors by 11% during 2017/2018
- Consistently achieved revenue growth through commercial and key account management initiatives.
- Successfully secured new business opportunities through strategic customer engagement and solution selling.
- Maintained outstanding railway safety and operational compliance standards.
Work availability
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
Afrikaans
Elementary
setswana
Proficient (C2)
zulu
Upper intermediate (B2)
Sepedi
Upper intermediate (B2)
Xhosa
Upper intermediate (B2)
Timeline
Railway & Marine Segment Manager - Southern Africa
SKF Pty Ltd South Africa
2025.07 - Current
Senior Commercial & New Business Development
Transnet Port Terminals
2024.09 - 2025.06
Diploma - Railway Operations Management
Glasgow Caledonian University
2019.03 - 2021.11
Key Account Manager
Transnet Freight Rail
2010.01 - 2024.08
Customer Service Manager
Transnet Freight Rail
2007.01 - 2010.01
Chief Admin Officer
Transnet Freight Rail
2005.01 - 2007.01
Senior Admin Officer
Transnet Freight Rail
2003.01 - 2005.01
Yard Official (Train Marshalling)
Transnet Freight Rail
2001.01 - 2003.01
Diploma - Software Specialist
Boston Business College
1999.01 - 1999.12
Senior Secondary Certificate - Grade 12
Rivoni Secondary School
1998.01 - 1998.12