Mountain Biking
Matsobane Ashley Mathabatha
Project Manager | Analyst | Economist
Johannesburg
Summary
Results-driven Project Manager with 8 years of experience in business operations, financial oversight, and resource management. Skilled in budgeting, procurement, and process optimization to ensure seamless project execution. Strong background in data analysis, financial management, and economic forecasting, providing actionable insights to drive business growth. Adept at risk management, capital markets, and product development, with a proven ability to improve efficiency and align strategies with business goals. Highly collaborative team player with expertise in statistical analysis, data visualization, and stakeholder engagement. Experienced in representing organizations in trade associations and professional groups to enhance corporate vision.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Project Manager
Land and Agricultural Bank Of South Africa
01.2024 - Current
- Facilitated workshops to collect project requirements and business feedback on the Agro Energy Fund product
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals resulting in onboarding 2 service provider for the Agro Energy Fund.
- Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results for Boxer and McCain. 20+ client base and +R50M projects costs.
- Effectively managed scope creep by establishing clear boundaries on requested changes while keeping projects aligned with original objectives and budgets.
- Led cross-functional teams to successful project completions, improving team cohesion and productivity with effective leadership strategies.
Regional Manager
FarmSol Holdings
09.2020 - 12.2023
- Developed and executed successful business plans that resulted in improved market share and profitability within the region.
- Recruited, hired, and trained two interns, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to establish long-term objectives, drive growth initiatives, and align regional efforts with corporate goals.
- Established and maintained operational standards for 5 provinces. 100% Business KPI's achieved in Western region
- Mentored and developed high-potential employees for leadership roles through individualized career development plans and opportunities for growth.
- Introduced cost-saving initiatives to reduce losses and increase profit margin which resulted in 100% profitability for North West (Taung Region) in 2022
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement through ongoing process reviews, employee engagement initiatives, and open channels of communication.
- Secured key accounts with customized sales presentations showcasing unique value propositions tailored to prospective clients'' needs. successfully acquired R34m additional funding for primary producers for 2022/2023 Season.
- Conducted detailed financial analysis to identify and evaluate changes in operations, trends and potential areas of improvement.
- Evaluated proposed projects'' ROI using NPV, IRR, and other financial metrics, helping prioritize initiatives with maximum value potential.
Operation Director (Acting)
FarmSol Holdings
11.2019 - 09.2020
- Defined, implemented and revised operational policies and Standard Operating Procedures
- Monitored over 8 employees' day-to-day activities and made plans to rectify issues resulting in one employee promoted to Senior Agri-specialist
- Assessed performance management structures and implemented enhancements to improve frameworks and strengthen results which increase the business KPIs score to 85% from 77% previous year
- Strategically managed resources, milestones and budgets of R100 million yearly
- Planned and executed 2 infrastructure projects to the value of R11 million to empower farmer and increase production
- Enhanced stakeholder satisfaction with timely and transparent communication strategies.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Agricultural economist
FarmSol Africa
05.2019 - 08.2020
- Led projects and Utilized advanced querying, visualization and analytics tools to analyze and process complex data sets
- Conducted detailed financial analysis to identify and evaluate changes in operations, trends and potential areas of improvement
- Drafted reports on company financial metrics to assess successes and account for deficiencies, resulting in 15% increase farmer Profitability across all regions
- Assessed credit risk and analyzed financial statements to determine key ratios: Interest cover ratio, Debt Service ratio, Gearing, Quick ratio, etc.
- Analyzed key aspects of business to evaluate factors driving results and summarized into presentations for Executive Committee and External stakeholders
- Developed market, economic and sector analysis to inform business strategy on commodity pricing to increase profitability, achieved a 8% y/y commodity prices higher than national average.
- Performed gap analysis between existing systems or processes and desired state, identifying areas for improvement or enhancement.
- Collaborated with IT to develop business intelligence tools, enhancing quality of data-driven decision-making.
- Analyzed data to identify root causes of problems and recommend corrective actions.
- Utilized data visualization techniques to present and explain complex data sets.
Agric Specialist
FarmSol Africa
09.2018 - 09.2019
- Assisted farmers in developing farm management plans, optimizing resource allocation and maximizing profits.
- Analyzed local soil conditions, recommending appropriate fertilizers and amendments to improve soil health and crop production efficiency by 20%
- Coordinated and synchronized agronomists from outside vendors to enhance team resources and provide additional support to producers
- Assisted farmers in developing farm management plans, optimizing resource allocation and maximizing profits.
- Served as bridge between sales, agronomics, data and technology to increase farmer's profit margin
- Conducted comprehensive financial reviews for clients, resulting in more informed decision-making and better risk management.
- Maintained and populated CRM database to capture market knowledge and relevance of farm information
- Optimized client portfolio management, leading to better financial health for clients.
- Implemented soil or water management techniques such as nutrient management, erosion control or filter strips in accordance with conservation plans
- Organized and led financial literacy programs for community, enhancing company's reputation and outreach.
- Supported women''s empowerment in agriculture by organizing skill development programs focused on female farmers'' needs, (Women In Maize programme).
Junior Agriculturalist
Omnia Fertilizer
01.2016 - 08.2018
- Establishing Grain marketing strategies, Administration of payments to stakeholders, suppliers, and farmers
- Coaching and mentoring 11 farmers
- Project manager in Highveld area
- Assist farmers with budgeting and cost control, achieved 5% year on year improvement in expenditures
- Crop management and manipulation
- Conducted research, gathered information from multiple sources and presented results to 11 farming entities which resulted in 7% yield improvement
- Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects
Education
PDBA: Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration -
University of Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa 04.2021 - 12.2021
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Economics And Agronomy
University of The Free State
Bloemfontein, South Africa 01.2012 - 12.2015
Skills
Business development
Loan origination
Creative thinking
Project management
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving
Project planning and development
Data analysis
SQL proficiency
CRM systems
Project finance
Financial modeling
Certification
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Interests
Reading
Gaming
Timeline
Project Manager
Land and Agricultural Bank Of South Africa
01.2024 - Current
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
01-2023
Coaching Virtually,
09-2022
Adapting Leadership to Behavioral Styles
09-2022
PDBA: Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration -
University of Witwatersrand
04.2021 - 12.2021
Regional Manager
FarmSol Holdings
09.2020 - 12.2023
Operation Director (Acting)
FarmSol Holdings
11.2019 - 09.2020
Agricultural economist
FarmSol Africa
05.2019 - 08.2020
Agric Specialist
FarmSol Africa
09.2018 - 09.2019
Junior Agriculturalist
Omnia Fertilizer
01.2016 - 08.2018
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Economics And Agronomy
University of The Free State
01.2012 - 12.2015