THEMBINKOSI GAMEDZE

As a Manufacturing Manager at Coca-Cola, I am responsible for overseeing the production process and
ensuring that manufacturing operations run smoothly, efficiently, and safely. Here are some key
responsibilities:
1. Production Planning and Scheduling: Developing and implementing production schedules to
meet demand while optimizing resource use and minimizing downtime.
2. Quality Control: Ensuring the products are manufactured to meet company specifications and
quality standards. Implementing quality control procedures and addressing any quality issues.
3. Workforce Management: Supervising production staff (a total of 43 permanents), including
hiring, training, and performance evaluations. Ensuring skilled labor is available to meet
production demands.
4. Safety Management: Ensuring that all safety protocols are followed to maintain a safe working
environment. Addressing any safety issues promptly.
5. Process Improvement: Identifying areas for improvement in the manufacturing process and
implementing changes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality.
6. Inventory Management: Managing raw material and finished goods inventory to ensure
continuous production without overstocking.
7. Equipment Maintenance: Overseeing the maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment
to prevent breakdowns and downtime.
8. Compliance: Ensuring all manufacturing activities comply with health, safety, and
environmental regulations, as well as company policies.
9. Budget Management: Managing the production budget, monitoring expenses, and striving to
reduce costs while maintaining product quality.

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10. Coordination with Other Departments: Collaborating with other departments such as supply
chain, R&D, quality assurance, and sales to ensure alignment with overall company goals and
objectives.
11. Reporting and Documentation: Maintaining proper documentation of production activities and
preparing reports for senior management on production metrics, issues, and improvement
initiatives.

• Conducted comprehensive audits to assess compliance against ISO standards and Coca Cola Requirements
• Developed detailed audit reports, highlighting key findings and actionable recommendations.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement risk management strategies.
• Evaluated internal controls, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and organizational requirements

2016 – 2016: Process chemist
Master data work. Ensured the accuracy of formulations, creation of standard manufacturing
instruction (SMIs), Label auditing, process monitoring for compliance to local & international standards
as well as supporting the production process areas, dry parts and liquids.

As a Laboratory Manager I had a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to:
1. Quality Control and Assurance: Ensuring that all products meet the company's quality
standards and regulatory requirements.
2. Personnel Management: Supervising lab technicians and other staff members (Team of 8
chemists), assigning tasks, and providing training and development.
3. Safety Management: Implementing and monitoring safety protocols to ensure a safe working
environment for all laboratory personnel.
4. Equipment Maintenance: Ensuring that all laboratory equipment is properly maintained,
calibrated, and functioning correctly.
5. Inventory Management: Managing inventory of laboratory supplies and ensuring that
necessary materials are ordered and stocked.
6. Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyzing test results and preparing reports for management and
other stakeholders.
7. Compliance: Ensuring that all laboratory activities comply with the ISO 17025 lab standard and
other regulations, such as those set by the FDA or other regulatory bodies.
8. Research and Development: Overseeing or participating in R&D activities to improve existing
products or develop new ones.
9. Budget Management: Managing the lab’s budget, including forecasting expenses and managing
costs.

Changed role to be the Laboratory team leader whose role includes the following tasks among others:
a) Planning & distributing the workload evenly for a team of 6 chemists
b) Coordinating lab requests from internal & external customers
c) Ensuring analysis methods are current & up to date
d) Leading ISO 17025 programs & internal Audits
e) Drawing & executing training plans for the lab team
f) Creation & updating of Master data for ingredients & Finished Product (SAP)
g) Ensuring the availability of resources for the lab team, especially analytical equipment.
h) Lead the implementation of Operational Excellence in the Lab to reduce waste

Worked as a coordinator of the Corrective Action program for Conco. I was also responsible for
the implementation & Maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS)
b) The same year I got appointed by SANAS as a Technical Signatory for all Coca-Cola Methods of
analysis in the scope of ISO 17025 Accreditation.

• Conducted chemical analysis and testing to ensure product quality and compliance with industry standards.
• Developed and optimized laboratory procedures to enhance efficiency and accuracy in experiments.
• Mentored junior chemists on best practices in laboratory techniques and safety protocols.
• Implemented quality control measures that improved overall laboratory performance and reduced errors.

Here I interned as an analyst and I was able to get precious hands on experience as I worked in the
different labs, the Waste Lab, Physical Chemistry Lab and the micro Biology Lab. Working here added
to my Laboratory experience and skills. I am more familiar with carrying out COD (Chemical Oxygen
Demand) analysis, BOD (Biological oxygen demand) determination. As an analyst in the physical
chemistry lab I performed analysis in the following parameters; Turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS),
total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, and heavy
metals.
In the Micro lab I performed the determination of Streptococcus, Total and Feacal Coliforms in raw and
treated water Samples.