Reading, Golf, Cooking, Travelling, Exercising, Real Estate Development
Schalk De Waal
General Manager
Secunda
Summary
As an astute and result-driven business leader, my experience spans across strategy development, operational planning, and procedural management. I'm adept at devising and executing business strategies that not only amplify profitability but also hone operational efficiency, all the while conforming to industry norms and regulations.
An innate people manager, I have a proven track record of motivating teams to maximize performance and productivity. An essential component of my leadership approach is the capacity to effectively interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. By harnessing this skill, I successfully capture various viewpoints, stimulate productive engagement, and rally all towards the achievement of shared business goals. My talent in engaging with a wide spectrum of individuals has consistently resulted in a unified, high-performing work environment driving business success.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Managing Director
Smet Jet Africa
Secunda
10.2020 - Current
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Documented processes and drafted SOPs to comply with regulations and company policies.
- Garnered a decade of expertise in safety, compliance, and innovative cleaning technologies.
- Passionate about fostering strong client relationships and delivering bespoke solutions that exceed client requirements.
- Led Smet Jet Africa to become a leading provider of superior industrial cleaning services, while continuously exploring growth opportunities.
- Instrumental in the exponential growth of the company; guided its transformation from a five-person operation to a team of 800 professionals during peak times.
- Led change and transformation across business areas to deliver benefits and align company resources.
- Negotiated new annual contracts and service agreements with vendors to achieve prime pricing.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex, large-scale projects, showcasing our enhanced capabilities.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement within the organization, contributing to business success.
- Commitment to pushing industry boundaries, setting new standards of excellence, and introducing innovative cleaning techniques.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Devised and implemented innovative and marketing campaigns to promote products and services.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
General Manager
Smet Jet Africa
Secunda
12.2016 - 12.2020
- Served as the General Manager at Smet Jet Africa, a leading industrial cleaning company, prior to current role as Managing Director.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Spearheaded the critical task of expanding operations, leveraging strategic planning, leadership, and sector-specific knowledge.
- Fostered a positive work environment and focused on building strong customer relationships.
- Demonstrated commitment to innovation in cleaning techniques and services.
- Maintained an unwavering dedication to client satisfaction and tailored solutions, even amidst significant growth.
- Utilized experience and skills gained as General Manager to successfully transition into the role of Managing Director, continuing to drive the company towards new heights of excellence.
Supervisor
Smet Jet Africa
Secunda
12.2014 - 11.2016
- Held a pivotal role as Water Jetting Supervisor at Smet Jet Africa before ascending to leadership roles.
- Managed a dedicated team of professionals, ensuring smooth operation and maintenance of water jetting equipment.
- Oversaw adherence to safety and quality standards in line with industry benchmarks.
- Demonstrated strong planning and coordination skills to meet project deadlines without compromising service quality.
- Developed proficiency in team leadership, problem-solving, and technical expertise in water jetting systems.
- Pioneered efficient workflows and standard operating procedures, resulting in substantial improvement in team productivity and service quality.
- Gained comprehensive hands-on experience and deep understanding of industrial cleaning operations, providing a solid foundation for subsequent management roles.
- Leveraged experience as a Water Jetting Supervisor to shape unique approach to leadership and operational excellence.
Education
MBA - Business Administration And Management, General
GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business
Sandton 01.2020 - 12.2021
Bachelor of Science - Artificial Intelligence
IU International University of Applied Sciences
Germany 11.2022 - Current
Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration And Management, General
GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business
Sandton 01.2020 - 10.2020
Bachelor's Degree (Law) - Law
University of South Africa/Universiteit Van Suid-A
Pretoria 06.2015 - 11.2019
Skills
Strategic planning
Operations management
Project Management
Business administration
Business Development
Employment law
Negotiation
Business planning
Budgeting
Contract Management
Technological Innovation
Drives Results
Situational Adaptability
Team Management
Communication
Coaching
Accomplishments
- Best service provider at SASOL Secunda Operations 2019
SASOL Service Provider of the Year 2019 - Secunda OperationsSASOL Issued by SASOL · Feb 2019
Interests
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
“Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.”
Walt Disney
Timeline
Bachelor of Science - Artificial Intelligence
IU International University of Applied Sciences
11.2022 - Current
Managing Director
Smet Jet Africa
10.2020 - Current
MBA - Business Administration And Management, General
GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business
01.2020 - 12.2021
Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration And Management, General
GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business
01.2020 - 10.2020
General Manager
Smet Jet Africa
12.2016 - 12.2020
Bachelor's Degree (Law) - Law
University of South Africa/Universiteit Van Suid-A
06.2015 - 11.2019
Supervisor
Smet Jet Africa
12.2014 - 11.2016