Shikar Sowki
Director, Global Customer Support
Johannesburg
Summary
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Experienced with strategic planning and project management. Utilizes leadership skills to drive team performance and operational excellence. Track record of delivering high-impact results through innovative problem-solving and effective communication.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
8
8
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Director, Global Customer Support
Normet Group
06.2025 - Current
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Service Manager Engineering Manager Africa
Norme Africa
02.2020 - 05.2025
- Engagements at global teams at senior management levels.
- Responsible for the day to day operation of the Normet Africa Service Group.
- Ensure full working knowledge of the areas within Africa.
- Ensure Health and Safety compliance with policies, systems and procedures in place.
- Ensure adequate random monitoring is applied to all finance activities undertaken.
- Ensure consistent process and procedures deployed in operational delivery for service across all sites/contracts.
- To represent Normet Africa on technical questions from both internal and external Auditors.
- Functional responsibility for service activity for ensuring compliance with all relevant statutory and non-statutory legislation/guidance suite specific all standards of health and safety and welfare policies, and ensure site is audited by external inspection at all times.
- Support the Account Management teams and other stakeholders in the delivery of all services within the scope of the role, and provide should to shoulder technical service input as required in order to enhance the credibility of the Normet brand providing guidance and expertise and promote the Normet culture.
- Ensure that the site is statutory and mandatory (contractually compliant) at all times for services delivered within scope and robust and rigorous means of recording this are maintained.
- Coach and mentor members of the team delivering Normet services.
- Key Performance Areas:
Engineering Manager Global Business Manager
Fermel - Mechanised Mining Solutions
03.2017 - 01.2020
- Coordinate Global business activities on behalf of the company.
- Have reporting structure of 28 people which encompasses Product Managers, Design Engineers, Systems Engineers, Illustrators and Administrators.
- Confer with Directors, Engineers, and colleagues to discuss requirements, updates on progress made on design projects.
- Co-ordinate and schedule the resources together with Product Managers to achieve the desired outcomes in terms of engineering outputs required by Sales and Production.
- Direct, review and approve product design and changes.
- Prepare a design office annual budget in terms of resource and other requirements.
- Prepare project specific budgets, review and maintain cost allocation for accounting purposes and amortization thereof.
- Develop and implement policies, standards, and procedures for engineering and technical work undertaken by the department.
- Perform administrative tasks and submit Reports on general EOT activities on a weekly basis and feedback on progress at KPI's on a quarterly basis.
- Attend weekly HOD Meetings and act accordingly.
- Consult with clients together with relevant PM's on new designs, projects etc.
- Key Performance Areas:
Hydraulic Engineer
Lindos Hydraulics
11.2009 - 02.2011
Product Manager
Pilot Crushtec
09.2007 - 10.2009
Design Engineer
Boar Longyear Capital Equipment Operation
03.2003 - 08.2007
- Management of draughtsman and projects.
- Design and development of new Capital Equipment products.
- Development and support of existing Capital Equipment products.
- Assist with testing and evaluation of the products.
- Project management and scheduling.
- Checking of drgs, designs and calculations.
- Maintenance and creation of BOM's.
- Writing, updating and maintenance of part and technical assessments.
- Updating of risk assessments.
- Assist and handle all workshop queries.
- Assist sales and field service with queries.
- Assess procurement and stores with problems & queries.
- Update and assist in the writing and issuing of Technical bulletin's affecting products.
- Key Performance Areas:
Design Engineer
LIW (Denel) - Artillery System and Customise Turret Solutions
09.2001 - 02.2003
Engineer-in-Training (EIT)
Columbus Stainless Steel
01.2000 - 08.2001
Education
MBA -
Monash University
South Africa12-2019
BSc Mechanical Engineering - undefined
University of Natal
01.1999
Matriculated - undefined
Overport Secondary High School
01.1995
Skills
Project management
Operations management
Team management
Relationship building
Decision-making
Strategic planning
Strategies and goals
Certification
First Aid
Timeline
Director, Global Customer Support
Normet Group
06.2025 - Current
Service Manager Engineering Manager Africa
Norme Africa
02.2020 - 05.2025
Engineering Manager Global Business Manager
Fermel - Mechanised Mining Solutions
03.2017 - 01.2020
Hydraulic Engineer
Lindos Hydraulics
11.2009 - 02.2011
Product Manager
Pilot Crushtec
09.2007 - 10.2009
Design Engineer
Boar Longyear Capital Equipment Operation
03.2003 - 08.2007
Design Engineer
LIW (Denel) - Artillery System and Customise Turret Solutions
09.2001 - 02.2003
Engineer-in-Training (EIT)
Columbus Stainless Steel
01.2000 - 08.2001
BSc Mechanical Engineering - undefined
University of Natal
Matriculated - undefined
Overport Secondary High School
MBA -
Monash University
References
- Niel, Pillay, Quality Manager, 0836030751, Pilot Crushtec
- Gehard, Pesche, Manager, 0815716060, Hydraspec (Ex Fermel Product Manager)
- Deon, Kotze, Manager, 0833852536, Hydraspec (Ex Fermel Manager)
Section name
Thank you for reviewing my resume. Certificates & Supporting Documents are available upon request.
Completed an Executive Coaching Course in 2022
Enhanced my executive presence skills and applied this knowledge in my current working environment.