Tendayi KAITANO

Summary

Innovative and strategic-thinking Sales & Business Development Executive experienced in identifying opportunities for M&As and generating and converting leads into opportunities and sales.
Highly skilled in monitoring and using trends for strategic planning
Accomplished communicator with exceptional communication abilities and talent for building collaborative teams.

Overview

28

years of professional experience

1

Language

Work History

Business Development Manager

IMERYS, South Africa (Kerneos Southern Africa)

07.2015 - Current

Solid reporting to the Global Sales Director responsible for the Infrastructure Market and dotted responsibility to the MD for IMERYS South Africa, based in the United Kingdom.
Grew sales from R80 million to R200 million per annum through product and geographical expnasion.
Manage sales volume and pricing budgeting processes, including S&O planning and sales forecasting, while ensuring improvements in contribution margin.
Increased client base by identifying new business opportunities and cultivating strong relationships with key decisionmakers.
Established relationships with key decision-makers within customer's organization to promote growth and retention.
Mentored junior team members in effective sales techniques, fostering a high-performance culture within the organization.
Established valuable partnerships with complementary businesses, creating mutually beneficial synergies that accelerated growth for both parties.
Participated in trade shows and conferences to network and generate leads.
Developed and maintained strategic partnerships to provide added value to clients and increase competitive advantage.

Chief Operations Officer

WINWATER Mechanical & Electrical Engineering (Pty) Ltd

01.2015 - 06.2015

Business responsibility officer with overall accountability for the company, reporting to the executive board of directors.
Streamlined operations by implementing process improvements and optimizing resource allocation. Cut costs waste and overal cost by 10% in the first 4 months.
Ensured compliance with industry regulations, maintaining strong relationships with regulatory bodies and implementing necessary updates to internal policies.
Improved supply chain efficiency by negotiating favorable contracts with vendors and streamlining inventory management processes.
And cross-departmental collaboration.

Local Market Manager

Kerneos Southern Africa, Sandton, South Africa

12.2008 - 12.2014

Develop the Marketing Strategy for the African Region and maintain close relations with customers.
Improved sales volumes by more than 50% in the first 2 years and won the compnay's sales global sales award for the effort.
Built brand awareness in local and regional markets and increased penetration with proactive strategies.
Led successful product launches, coordinating between R&D, sales, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive strategy.
Coached sales team members in effective selling strategies and closing techniques.

Production Manager, Richards Bay Cement and Technical Concrete Plant

Kerneos Southern Africa, Sandton, South Africa

08.2006 - 01.2008

Managed the Richards Bay Plant with a staff complement of more than 60 at the time.
Managed to turnaround the production plant from a loss-making entity to a making cotntribution marginsof over 15% in the first 18 months of akng overas Production Manager. The effort was duly awarded with shares woth over R200k.
Managed continuous improvement initiatives to drive gains in quality, flow, and output.
Increased overall productivity by identifying bottlenecks in the production process and proposing effective solutions.
Standardized production procedures, job roles, and quality assurance guidelines.
Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
Conducted root cause analysis on production issues, devising corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Coordinated with sales and marketing departments to align production schedules with demand forecasts, maximizing both efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Reduced waste and material costs by optimizing resource allocation and inventory management.
Monitored team budgets to keep projects on task and avoid waste.

General Manager and Board Director

Industrial Consultant in Africa (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe (Redcliff Castables)

02.2000 - 07.2006

Reporting to the CEO of ICA, responsibilities included operation overseeing of Redcliff Castables, a manufacturing entity within the ICA Group;
Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
Spearheaded development of new market strategy, significantly enhancing brand recognition and customer base with innovative advertising campaigns.

Production Manager

Clay Products (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe

02.1997 - 11.2000

Head of the production department, in charge of the company's three production divisions – Sanitaryware, Refractories and Earthenware Pipes, while maintaining responsibility for the technical control of the production processes
Determined suitable crew requirements, scheduled employees, and worked with human resources to meet changing production schedules.
Oversaw quality control efforts, maintaining strict adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements while achieving high levels of customer satisfaction.
Enhanced production efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing lean manufacturing techniques.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products according to customer requirements.
Estimated labor requirements to support anticipated workload.
Sourced materials to keep up with production goals and meet customer demands.
Created streamlined production schedules and collaborated with production employees to communicate objectives and goals.
Negotiated with suppliers for better pricing and terms, reducing overall procurement costs without sacrificing quality.
Reviewed work for quality and compliance with company standards and design specifications.
Championed safety initiatives within the workplace, leading to a significant decrease in accidents and injuries among staff members.
Partnered with leadership on recruiting, hiring and coaching production personnel.
Coordinated with sales and marketing to align production schedules with market demands, optimizing inventory levels.

Education

MBA - Business Administration

University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

1 2002 - 1 2005

Dissertation: Role of SMEs in Employment Generation and Economic Development

HND in Science - Ceramic Technology

Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

1 1990 - 1 1993

Academic Scholarship,1990 from British Council

Skills

Relationship development

CRM management

Performance evaluations

Relationship building

Pipeline development and management

Strategic partnerships

Lead generation

Customer service

Sales and marketing

Sales presentations

Business development and planning

Forecasting

Training

Marketing and Sales Academy, KERNEOS
Asia Pacific Leadership Development Centre, KERNEOS China

Accomplishments

Won the best Global Sales Manager for Kerneos in 2010 and 2016 for increased volume sales.
Increased yearly revenue by 150% in 5 years (from 2008 to 2013)
Brought in over 20 new customers in 5 years with a total value of over R70million.
Turned the Richards Bay plant into a profitable centre through effectively implementing best practices. Shares were awarded for the achievement.

Affiliations

1. Institute of Municipal Engineers South Africa (IMESA)

2. South African National Committee on Large Dams (SANCOLD)

Interests

Voluntary teaching of Mathematics and Science to high school students

Timeline

Business Development Manager - IMERYS, South Africa (Kerneos Southern Africa)

07.2015 - Current

Chief Operations Officer - WINWATER Mechanical & Electrical Engineering (Pty) Ltd

01.2015 - 06.2015

Local Market Manager - Kerneos Southern Africa, Sandton, South Africa

12.2008 - 12.2014

Production Manager, Richards Bay Cement and Technical Concrete Plant - Kerneos Southern Africa, Sandton, South Africa

08.2006 - 01.2008

General Manager and Board Director - Industrial Consultant in Africa (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe (Redcliff Castables)