Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Accomplishments
Interests
Timeline
Generic
Sarel Janse van Rensburg

Sarel Janse van Rensburg

Head of IFF and Datalinks
Cape Town

Summary

Experienced engineering and product management professional with deep expertise in strategic planning, systems integration, and product lifecycle management. Demonstrated success in leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions while managing full P&L accountability. Strong track record in identifying market opportunities, developing strategic roadmaps, and driving continuous improvement in technical and business processes

Overview

2025
2025
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
10
10
Certifications
3
3
Languages

Work History

Head of IFF and Datalinks

HENSOLDT South Africa
7 2022 - Current
  • Define and implement strategic roadmaps for IFF and Datalink product lines in collaboration with cross-functional teams
  • Conduct market analysis with the marketing team to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive landscape
  • Lead product lifecycle management from concept through to end-of-life, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs
  • Hold full P&L responsibility, driving profitability and sustainable growth through collaborative budgeting and forecasting with the finance team
  • Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial reports with input from key stakeholders
  • Implement cost-saving initiatives and optimize resource allocation with the operations team
  • Collaborate with the Business Development team to achieve order intake targets
  • Engage with key customers and stakeholders to build relationships and drive sales
  • Develop proposals, negotiate contracts, and close high-value deals in partnership with the sales team
  • Direct the engineering team, fostering innovation and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products through effective leadership and support
  • Manage configuration and production divisions, overseeing daily operations and aligning them with strategic objectives alongside operations managers
  • Implement best practices in project management, quality assurance, and continuous improvement with input from team leads

Integrated Product Team Manager

HENSOLDT South Africa
01.2022 - 07.2022
  • Responsible for consolidating all operational management responsibilities of the Product /Product Group, including enabling/supporting future Order Intake in conjunction with/in support of Business Development, Marketing and Sales
  • Ensuring execution of all work related to the delivery of the products/services and related to the product/products, within the contracted goals; and ensuring future sustainability and current and future commercial viability of the product
  • Product/ Product Line Strategy
  • Business Development Support and Collaboration
  • Product Operational Management
  • Key Account Management

Product Manager: Naval, Armour and Air Force Products

Rheinmetall Denel Munition
01.2018 - 01.2022
  • Responsible for the overall life cycle management of the product line in the Naval, Armour and Air Force portfolio
  • This include the aligning the three main focal areas of the product line (Marketing, Technology and Business) and guiding the strategic growth of the product line within RDM

Senior Engineer

Rheinmetall Denel Munition
02.2017 - 03.2019

Project Manager - Technology Projects

Rheinmetall Denel Munition
11.2014 - 02.2017
  • Manage personnel, resources, budget as well as project milestones for various technology development projects
  • Liaise with clients concerning all project requirements and deliverables
  • General project management duties

Systems Engineer - Naval, Armour, Air Force

Rheinmetall Denel Munition
11.2011 - 02.2017
  • Design of mechanical components according to requirements for products and production processes
  • Participate as design authority of the assigned products
  • To provide innovative technical support in the mechanical design discipline of all products and processes in development and production
  • Compile relevant documentation used for Qualification and subsequent operations during series production
  • To champion the products through the complex development program within the set development timescales and to supply technical support during production
  • (Technically responsible from cradle to grave)
  • To identify new business opportunities for the company by innovative thinking using new and existing technologies in line with company goals
  • Liaise with clients in order to determine user requirements
  • Compile and evaluate product and development specifications to ensure compliance with the URS
  • Develop system and product requirements to ensure compliance with URS
  • Perform test as well as evaluation planning and compile test specifications in order to ensure compliance with development specification requirements
  • Compile accurate/ detailed test reports thereby ensuring accurate technical documentation addressing development specification requirements
  • Manage Document changes and non-conformances
  • Solve Technical problems by leading and conducting investigations
  • Assist with the industrialisation of new materials and/or processes
  • Provide Technical support to Marketing & Sales
  • Liaise with clients concerning technical subject matter

Education

MicroMasters - Managing Technology and Innovation

RWTH Aachen University
01.2020 - 01.2021

Certificate - Explosive Ordnance Engineering

Cranfield University

B.ING - Mechanical Engineering

North-West University / NoordwesUniversiteit
01.2005 - 01.2009

Skills

    Product Strategy & Lifecycle Management

    Financial Planning & Budgeting (Full P&L Ownership)

    Business Development & Sales Support

    Team Leadership & Mentorship

    Systems Engineering & Integration

    Cross-Functional Leadership & Team Development

    Project Management (Cost, Scope, and Schedule Control)

    Contract Negotiation & Proposal Development

    Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

    Market Analysis

    Competitive Landscaping & Innovation

Certification

Wireless Networking Essential Training

Accomplishments

  • Introduced Product Lifecycle Processes: Established and implemented comprehensive lifecycle management frameworks and processes.
  • Built a High-Performing Project Management Team: Successfully recruited, mentored, and developed a team of project managers, ensuring effective delivery of complex defense projects and fostering a culture of excellence.
  • Innovative Product Development: Led the introduction of new products and processes, driving technological innovation and ensuring timely delivery of advanced solutions over various domains.
  • Successful Market Expansion: Conducted comprehensive market analyses, identifying new opportunities that contributed to increased order intake and expanded market presence for advanced defense solutions.
  • Key Account Growth: Built and maintained relationships with strategic customers, leading to the successful negotiation and closure of high-value contracts in collaboration with the sales team.
  • Leadership in Cross-Functional Projects: Unified diverse teams to achieve project milestones, including transitioning from concept to deployment for critical defense systems, showcasing strong leadership and problem-solving abilities.
  • Recognition for Excellence: Consistently recognized for exceptional leadership and strategic contributions, earning accolades from senior management and key stakeholders.
  • Process Improvements: Introduced best practices in project management, risk management and reporting.

Interests

Philosophy

Geopolitics

Emerging technologies

Sports (Martial Arts, Shooting, Fitness)

Reading

Timeline

Integrated Product Team Manager

HENSOLDT South Africa
01.2022 - 07.2022

MicroMasters - Managing Technology and Innovation

RWTH Aachen University
01.2020 - 01.2021

Product Manager: Naval, Armour and Air Force Products

Rheinmetall Denel Munition
01.2018 - 01.2022

Senior Engineer

Rheinmetall Denel Munition
02.2017 - 03.2019

Project Manager - Technology Projects

Rheinmetall Denel Munition
11.2014 - 02.2017

Systems Engineer - Naval, Armour, Air Force

Rheinmetall Denel Munition
11.2011 - 02.2017

B.ING - Mechanical Engineering

North-West University / NoordwesUniversiteit
01.2005 - 01.2009

Certificate - Explosive Ordnance Engineering

Cranfield University

Head of IFF and Datalinks

HENSOLDT South Africa
7 2022 - Current
Sarel Janse van RensburgHead of IFF and Datalinks