Shylette Mutsikamahwe

• Company Overview: Supplier of laboratory analytical instrumentation and consumables to the following sectors: Pharmaceutical, Food & Beverage, Mining, Water, Petrochemical, Academia and Research
• Stayed updated about latest technological advancements in the field for informed selling.
• Tailored sales pitches according to client needs resulting in improved conversion rates.
• Conducted technical presentations to prospective clients, enhancing brand awareness.
• Collaborated with marketing team on promotional strategies, increasing product visibility.
• Utilised CRM systems for tracking sales activities, ensuring organised workflow.
• Cultivated partnerships with key industry players to enhance business network.
• Analysed market trends for strategic planning.
• Developed a deep understanding of product specifications to accurately convey benefits to customers.
• Generated new business opportunities by identifying and engaging potential clients.
• Created sales reports for management review, aiding in decision-making processes.
• Negotiated contracts for beneficial agreements with customers.
• Trained colleagues to improve product knowledge and sales skills.
• Travelled extensively across territories to pitch proposals to potential clients.
• Solved customer issues through effective communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Provided excellent customer service, ensuring client retention and referrals.
• Fostered relationships with existing customers, improving loyalty and satisfaction.
• Established strong rapport with prospects through regular follow-ups calls or emails.
• Presented and promoted technical product and services using sound product knowledge and powerful sales techniques.
• Analysed market competition and created sales forecasts.
• Drove sales and increased revenue through solid negotiation and closing skills.
• Maximized sales opportunities by advising customers of future promotions and product launches.
• Developed competitive sales quotes and followed up to convert quotes to sales.
• Carried out cost-benefit and needs analysis of potential and existing clients for targeted sales approach.
• Planned and executed strategies to identify and target leads and prospects.
• Optimised sales generation by analysing sales metrics and adjusting strategy planning.
• Used cold-calling and networking to reach new customers and grow potential client base.
• Organised marketing collateral and presentations for industry events and trade shows.
• Monitored competitor activity to remain ahead of market trends and prices.
• Negotiated profitable sales contracts to achieve revenue targets.
• Provided considerate sales aftercare for maintained client satisfaction.

• Company Overview: Distributor for Merck Millipore products in Zimbabwe- Laboratory Chemicals Equipment and Consumables
• Working in a fast-paced team oriented and entrepreneurial environment. Managing client portfolio and having revenue and account management responsibility for key accounts.
• Managed a customer service rep for my territory.
• Reporting, analyzing data and customer relationship management.
• Setting sales objectives and forecast.
• Participating in team building and sales training events.
• Delivering ongoing market analysis and assessment of competitors.
• Maximizing market share and revenue.
• Addressing client concerns and ensure the resolution of issues in a timely manner.
• Preserving sales and developing return sales.
• Working close with the Sales Manager to prospect, pitch and close new business.
• Gaining a strong knowledge and understanding of clients' brand and products.
• Marketing the organization through promotions and advertising and participating in trade shows.
• Installation of laboratory equipment.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Led the team which saw the company being awarded a tender to supply all laboratory chemicals, glassware and equipment for the second largest platinum mine in Zimbabwe, Unki Mines (Anglo platinum). Tender value was estimated at total of USD500 000 per annum for period June 2013-June 2014.
• Identified suppliers of equipment which were outside the distributorship and partnered with them (supplier negotiation) so as to get preferential pricing. This saw us introducing new product lines which complimented the existing product portfolio and saw sales increase by 5% per annum.
• Increased my territory base through new markets by 15% translating to a USD7000 increase in sales year on year.
• Seconded by the Sales manager to do installation and training for the Merck equipment saving the company costs of acquiring the skill externally. This also instilled customer confidence resulting in repeat sales.

• Company Overview : Manufacturer of Sodium Silicate and its Beneficiated products
• Responsible for the Process team with 18 individuals and 6 engineering team members- Shift work involved.
• Ensuring maximum possible plant availability.
• Ensuring regular and consistent communication both internally, within the group and externally to ensure that plant conditions, safety operations and any other statutory and legal requirement are met.
• Planning and implementing process and product improvements to ensure an effective and efficient production system.
• Ensuring that cost control containment measures are in place to monitor material usage and prevent losses.
• Ensuring adequate manpower levels and a motivated and dedicated workforce.

• Company Overview: Manufacturer of Sodium Silicate and its Beneficiated products
• Worked with 6 laboratory assistants and 4 contractors (shift work involved).
• Driving the ISO 9001:2000 implementation process.
• Responsible for the laboratory functions: Reviewing and approving all quality control and assurance test result.
• Analysis of raw materials, in process and finished products by classical and instrumental methods.
• Ordering laboratory consumables.
• Handling of customer complaints.
• Research and development.
• Ensuring proper functioning of analytical instruments.
• Providing technical support to internal customers (stores receiving, production) and external customers (markets) to meet customer needs and improving the systems.
• Liaising with management and staff throughout the organization to ensure that the QMS is functioning properly.
• Manufacturer of Sodium Silicate and its Beneficiated products
• Synthesis of G33 Sodium silicate gel from precipitated silica and G20 gel, new product development.
• Development of a specific gravity correction chart for manufactured sodium silicate which saw the reduction in time it took to correct an out of specification product.
• Optimization of precipitated silica plant (Zimsilicates Pvt Ltd - Kadoma).
• Implementation of the ISO 9001: 2000 system, which saw an improvement in operations.

• Company Overview: Manufacturer of Container Glass
• Providing effective control of Raw Materials (Sand, Soda Ash, Limestone, Petalite, Sodium Sulphate, Selenium, Cobalt Sulphate, and Red Oxide).
• Co-coordinating Batching, and Melting and laboratory department in terms of manpower, machines, equipment and buildings.
• Managing and conducting good manufacturing practices.
• Providing technical services to manufacturing in tandem with modern developments.
• Generating quality reports, including reviewing and implementing work instructions and procedures in line with ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001.
• Analyzing and highlighting poor performance and recommend corrective action to management.
• Ensuring conformance of process capability to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001.
• Producing monthly reports for the department.
• Manufacturer of Container Glass
• Optimisation of Raw material consumption (Zimglass Industries- Gweru).
• Colour change of glass-Amber to Flint, Flint to Amber, Green to Amber, Green to Flint and Amber to Flint (Zimglass Industries-Gweru).
• Maintenance of the ISO9001:2000 and ISO 14001 business systems.

• Company Overview: Manufacturer of Edible Oils and Soaps
• Analyzing Edible Oil, Soap and Effluent Water.
• Producing monthly reports for the department.
• Project Identification and Development.
• Continuous Improvement Team member.
• Analyzing and highlighting poor performance and recommendation of corrective action to management.
• Manufacturer of Edible Oils and Soaps
• Regeneration of spent bleaching clay from refined edible cotton seed oil (United Refineries Ltd- Bulawayo).
• Optimisation of edible oil refining using Taguchi's method (United Refineries Ltd- Bulawayo).
• Familiar with methods of analysis of: Organic compounds (qualitative and quantitative) using chromatography, Solvent extraction, Colour, Free fatty acids content, saponifiable matter, peroxide value, iodine value, total fatty matter (TFM), protein determination in edible oil.
• Sodium oxide content, moisture content, sodium chloride content, melting point in soap.
• Boiler Water Analysis (TDS, Suspended Solids, pH and Total Hardness).
• Effluent analysis – BOD, COD, pH.
• Glass Composition (SiO2, CaO, Na2O, MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, K2O, SO3).
• Sodium silicate composition(Na2O, SiO2 , Total solids, Specific gravity, pH).