Siyabulela Mhlaluka
Port Elizabeth & Cape Town
Summary
A business visionary with over 25 years of transformative leadership across Commercial, Operations, Project Development & Execution in the transport & energy sectors. Recognized for driving exponential business growth, managing Profit & Loss portfolios, and enhancing organizational sustainability, Mr. Mhlaluka excels at turning strategic vision into tangible results. Renowned for strengthening operations, maximizing performance in fiercely competitive markets. Developed customized solutions for clients in quest for growth and customer satisfaction. High regard and stewardship for corporate governance, risk, and compliance management initiatives, his leadership is synonymous with success. He has mastered the art of assembling and motivating high-performance teams, launching complex start-ups and overseeing multi-billion-rand Greenfield projects. His diverse expertise spans key sectors like Mining, Automotive, FMCG, Agriculture, Intermodal Logistics, Petroleum, and Oil & Gas, making him a sought-after leader for achieving sustainable growth and strategic market expansion.
Developed leadership and strategic planning skills in dynamic and high-pressure environment. Expertise in operational efficiency and team development, seamlessly applicable to diverse industries. Seeking to leverage these transferrable skills to make meaningful contributions in new field. Results-oriented professional with demonstrated expertise in executive management. Known for successfully leading teams to achieve organizational objectives and implementing strategic initiatives that improve operational efficiency. Collaborative team player with focus on results and adaptability to changing business needs. Professional executive skilled in strategic planning and operational management. Proven track record of driving growth, optimizing processes, and leading high-performing teams. Strong focus on collaboration, adaptability, and delivering impactful results. Expertise in financial oversight, project management, and stakeholder engagement. Qualified Operations and Commercial Executive with robust background in managing executive operations. Proven track record includes driving organizational growth and implementing strategic initiatives that align with company goals. Demonstrated leadership and effective decision-making skills in high-pressure environments. Offering solid foundation in leadership and organizational management, ready to absorb new industry insights and practices. Contributes strong analytical mindset and adeptness in strategic planning. Ready to use and develop project management and decision-making skills in senior business executive role. Deliberate Business Executive with 25 years of experience collaborating cross-functionally with team members to run all aspects of organization. Clear communicator with detail-oriented team leadership, conflict resolution and project oversight expertise. Growth-minded budget manager with clarity in market-focused planning and collaborative strategy development. Professional Managing Executive with 25 years of experience successfully devising and executing strategic business plans. Sustainable growth-minded budget coordinator with collaborative approach to determining specific, detailed quarterly and annual revenue and expenditure targets. Sensible personnel manager, implementing employee-focused wellness programs and generating industry-leading worker satisfaction ratings. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated transport logistics professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Managing Executive: Central Region Ports
Transnet National Ports Authority
Port Elizabeth
09.2021 - 03.2025
- Provide Strategic Leadership and Direction
- Develop localized strategies and implementation roadmaps for ports to optimize operations and efficiency
- Align operational activities with organizational strategies to enhance business outcomes
- Implement industrial engineering systems, processes, and internal controls for efficient port operations
- Ensure effectiveness, cost competitiveness, and reliability of operations while preparing for growth
- Develop and monitor revenue and cost budgets to ensure profitability
- Develop and implement capital expenditure on new and replacement assets
- Develop and implement risk mitigation actions to address and minimize operational risks
- Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and corporate governance requirements
- Engage with customers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to enhance customer experiences and business performance
- Drive improvements in core business operations to increase market share
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of professionals to achieve strategic objectives
- Ensure adherence to safety practices and standards
- Align operations with sustainability goals to promote long-term viability
General Manager: Sales & New Business Development
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
Durban
03.2018 - 08.2021
- Provide strategic direction for the division's commercial, marketing, and business development functions
- Achieve volume throughput targets and manage a budget of R14 billion, ensuring profitability of R6 billion
- Oversee pricing, contracts, audits, standards, and risk management for commercial operations
- Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance business outcomes and market positioning
- Conduct market research, demand forecasting, and branding to create innovative customer logistic solutions
General Manager: Operations
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
Durban
01.2012 - 01.2018
- Develop and implement operational strategies to enhance productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency across all TPT operations
- Manage profit and loss, capital investments, budgeting, and ensure profitability of operations
- Lead initiatives for operational excellence and implement business process improvements
- Oversee enterprise-wide risk management, ensuring compliance with safety, health, and environmental standards
- Drive business development initiatives, manage key customer relationships, and secure operating licenses for new business units and terminals
- Lead and develop teams, optimize human resources, and promote a high-performance culture
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
Operations Executive Manager: Container Sector
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
Durban
07.2008 - 03.2012
- Provided overarching strategic direction for container terminal operations across Cape Town, Ngqura, and Durban ports
- Implemented strategies to improve operational effectiveness, efficiency, and throughput at all managed terminals
- Monitored and ensured adherence to operational key performance indicators (KPIs) for productivity and service delivery
- Oversaw daily operations activities, ensuring smooth functioning across all departments while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Efficiently and effectively identified and solved all problems that impacted direction of business.
- Used data-driven decision-making techniques to identify areas of improvement within operations processes.
- Implemented strategic initiatives that resulted in significant improvements in operational performance.
- Set clear goals to monitor targets and offered real-time input on performance and motivation.
- Managed cross-functional teams, ensuring successful completion of projects within deadlines and budget constraints.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by effectively managing and resolving operational issues in a timely manner.
- Developed operational processes to help organization adapt to market change.
- Collaborated on operational support tasks to achieve common goal.
- Applied excellent problem-solving, process development, and strategic implementation skills to lead and support all areas of operations.
- Coordinated seamless communication between departments, resulting in enhanced collaboration efforts across the organization.
- Managed budgets effectively while balancing competing priorities, ensuring optimal allocation of resources towards critical projects.
Project Executive
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
Port Elizabeth
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Successfully planned and established the operational framework of the Port of Ngqura's container terminal from scratch
- Developed and implemented strategies to make the terminal operationally and commercially viable
- Effectively managed an R11 billion project budget, ensuring resource allocation aligned with project goals
- Developed comprehensive project plans, outlining goals, objectives, tasks, and deadlines for all team members.
- Coordinated meetings with clients, vendors, and internal teams to facilitate smooth project progressions.
- Created strategic plans to turn leadership mandates into actionable project plans.
- Conducted thorough post-project evaluations to identify areas of improvement for future initiatives.
- Delivered projects on time and within budget by effectively managing timelines and resources.
- Built impactful relationships with clients and suppliers.
- Identified opportunities for continuous improvement, implementing innovative solutions to address challenges.
- Provided leadership to team of 68, conducting business visitations, strengthening partnerships and executing market research.
- Improved team collaboration with clear communication and regular status updates.
Terminal Manager
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
Port Elizabeth
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Seamlessly integrated four business units into a unified operational framework, achieving improved organizational alignment
- Drove strategic initiatives to increase revenue, enhance profitability, and achieve sustainable business growth
- Collaborated with 200-member team to create, modify and implement goals, procedures and policies.
- Planned freight loads and coordinated with drivers to achieve accurate, timely delivery of products.
- Facilitated intra-departmental functions and store operations according to corporate business plan.
Key Accounts Manager
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
Port Elizabeth
01.1999 - 01.2003
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with key customer segments
- Identified and categorized customer segments to align services with market demands effectively
- Managed and optimized pricing structures and tariff strategies to ensure competitive positioning and customer satisfaction
- Tracked key performance metrics regularly, ensuring constant improvement in account management strategies over time.
- Provided valuable insights to product development teams based on customer feedback, driving innovation in offerings.
- Developed a comprehensive understanding of customers'' needs, enabling targeted up-selling and cross-selling efforts.
- Established trust-based relationships with clients by consistently exceeding expectations regarding communication, responsiveness, and issue resolution.
- Conducted regular account reviews to monitor progress, identify opportunities, and address concerns.
Education
Masters - Business Leadership
UNISA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
Post Graduate Diploma - Marketing Management
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Batchelor of Education - Postgraduate
UNIVERSITY OF FORTHARE
Batchelor of Commerce - undefined
UNIVERSITY OF TRANSKEI
Matric Certificate - undefined
ST JOHNs College
Skills
- Corporate Governance & Ethics
- Executive Project Management
Innovation management
Operations management
Partnership development
Contract negotiation
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving
Operational efficiency
Customer service management
Decision-making
Adaptability and flexibility
Performance management
Customer relationship management
Strategic planning
Analytical thinking
Accomplishments
- Spearheaded the transformation and integration of two ports (NMB Ports) into a single integrated operating model.
- Led the merger and turnaround of various business units.
- Successfully established Transnet Port Terminal's first business venture outside South Africa being Port of Cotonou in Benin.
- Spearheaded the R11bn Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) project, overseeing its setup and commercialization, which culminated in its Go Live in 09/2009 and rated as fastest growing port in the world in 2013.
- Consistently achieved volume and operations KPIs, driving growth across multiple priority sectors.
- Developed and implemented new customer logistic solutions across various ports and supply chain corridors.
Locations
- Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
- Cape Town, Western Cape
Professional Development
- Institute of Directors of South Africa (IODSA), Certified Director, 2024
- GIBS Business School, Board of Directors Leadership Program, 2019
- Bain Executive Academy, Executive Program for Senior Executives, 2017
- Institute Management Development (IMD), Switzerland, Breakthrough Program for Senior Executives, 2017
- Institute Management Development (IMD), Switzerland, Advanced Strategic Management, 2012
- GIBS Business School, Executive Development Program, 2003
Certification
Certified Director
Timeline
Certified Director
02-2025
Managing Executive: Central Region Ports
Transnet National Ports Authority
09.2021 - 03.2025
Board of Directors Leadership Program
04-2019
General Manager: Sales & New Business Development
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
03.2018 - 08.2021
Executive Program for Senior Executives
07-2017
General Manager: Operations
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
01.2012 - 01.2018
Operations Executive Manager: Container Sector
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
07.2008 - 03.2012
Project Executive
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
01.2007 - 01.2009
Terminal Manager
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
01.2003 - 01.2007
Key Accounts Manager
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
01.1999 - 01.2003
Post Graduate Diploma - Marketing Management
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Batchelor of Education - Postgraduate
UNIVERSITY OF FORTHARE
Batchelor of Commerce - undefined
UNIVERSITY OF TRANSKEI
Matric Certificate - undefined
ST JOHNs College
Masters - Business Leadership
UNISA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
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