Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Timeline
Generic

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 Africa
03-2019

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 Africa
09-2003

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
Thapelo Lee Mafongozi