Thapelo Lee Mafongozi
Secunda,MP
Summary
Dynamic Fabrication Shop Area Manager at Sasol with a proven track record in business development and quality assurance. Transformed underperforming teams into profitable units while managing a R160 million welding shutdown budget. Skilled in relationship building and process improvement, driving customer satisfaction and long-term growth.
Reliable Area Manager successful at operating in high-volume, fast-paced environment. Skilled in leading teams to meet objectives on stringent timelines. Empowering leader with superior communication and collaboration abilities demonstrated over 14 years of management performance.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Fabrication Shop Area Manager
Sasol
12.2024 - Current
- Assessed reports to evaluate performance, develop targeted improvements, and implement changes.
- Oversaw budget planning, strategy development, community outreach for organization.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve customer service and increase sales.
- Transformed underperforming teams into productive, profitable teams.
- Resolved conflicts promptly to promote positive environment for customers.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with headquarters, regional and other teams nationally to maintain consistent message and experience.
Fabrication Area Manager (Field Services)
Sasol
05.2013 - 11.2024
- Leading a Team of high performing Welding Specialist and Quality Control Inspectors
- Managing Large Welding Service providers in 7 critical sites
- Planning and execution of annual Sasol Secunda shutdowns and managing 40% of the shutdown welding scope
- Managing of R160mil welding shutdown budget
- Engaged in product training, demonstrations, consumer awareness, branding, and acquisition initiatives to raise awareness and revenues.
- Assisted in developing long-term strategic plans objectives aligned with overall company goals growth projections
- Resolving Issues related to personel, workflow, equipment by implimenting corrective actions promply
Quality Control Manager
Sasol Synfuels
06.2011 - 04.2013
- Updated quality control standards, methods, and procedures to meet compliance requirements.
- Followed quality standards and procedures to minimize errors and maximize customer satisfaction.
- Used [Software] to produce reports regarding daily production quality, nonconformance of products or processes and quality trends.
- Collected and analyzed [Type] material samples to evaluate quality, providing feedback, and interpretation to production management or staff.
- Determined quality department standards, practices, and procedures.
- Tracked quality issues with external customers, suppliers, and internal plant operations.
Principal Mechanical Technician
Sasol Solvents
07.2007 - 04.2011
- Inspected and tested equipment, machinery and components to diagnose issues, recognize defects, and determine appropriate repairs.
- Implemented maintenance strategies to decrease emergent issues.
- Shutdown project leader responsibilities
- Design and execution of plant modifications
- Involvement in RBI sessions
- HAZOP studies
Mechanical Technician
Sasol Olefins and Surfactants
11.2001 - 06.2007
- Construction and Commissioning activities of Safol plant - Greenfields project
- Construction and Commissioning activities of Octene Train II plant - Greenfields project
- COnstruction and Commissioning activities of Octene Train III plant - Greenfields project
- Identified mechanical problems and determined best solutions for correction.
- Implemented preventive maintenance measures to decrease emergent issues.
- Read and interpreted technical drawings and schematics to understand equipment design and proper maintenance.
Field Engineer
Fluor Construction
05.2000 - 11.2001
- Interacted effectively with site engineering team and field staff to coordinate work that complied with design and construction documents.
- Identified major issues that could arise and provided solutions for these problems.
- Provided review of design modifications and requests for clarification.
- Managed team in troubleshooting efforts that alleviated errors.
- Supporting construction team with resolving deviations from Design drawings
- Ensuring all construction work complies to the requirements
- Punch out with the client
Education
No Degree - GCC Factories (Passed Plant, Writing Law in Nov 20
Department of Employment And Labour
01-2026
Master of Science - Welding Engineering
University of The Witwatesrand
Johannesburg, South Africa03-2019
Associate of Applied Science - Hons in Technology Management
University of Pretoria
03-2015
Bachelor of Science - B-Tech Mechanical Engineering
University of South Africa
05-2009
National Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Vaal University of Technology
Vanderbijlpark, South Africa09-2003
Skills
- Relationship building and management
- Business development and planning
- Controlling costs
- Quality assurance
- Process improvement
- Staff training and development
- Talent review
- Staff development
- Customer relationship management
- Performance management
Accomplishments
- Resolved product issue through consumer testing.
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
Afrikaans
Intermediate (B1)
Sotho
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Zulu
Advanced (C1)
Timeline
Fabrication Shop Area Manager
Sasol
12.2024 - Current
Fabrication Area Manager (Field Services)
Sasol
05.2013 - 11.2024
Quality Control Manager
Sasol Synfuels
06.2011 - 04.2013
Principal Mechanical Technician
Sasol Solvents
07.2007 - 04.2011
Mechanical Technician
Sasol Olefins and Surfactants
11.2001 - 06.2007
Field Engineer
Fluor Construction
05.2000 - 11.2001
No Degree - GCC Factories (Passed Plant, Writing Law in Nov 20
Department of Employment And Labour
Master of Science - Welding Engineering
University of The Witwatesrand
Associate of Applied Science - Hons in Technology Management
University of Pretoria
Bachelor of Science - B-Tech Mechanical Engineering
University of South Africa
National Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Vaal University of Technology
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