Thokozani Bongani Sithembiso Ntombela
PU department Head and Laboratory
Umlazi
Summary
Results-driven Department Head with extensive Manufacturing experience. Achieved departmental growth and enhanced team performance through effective leadership of daily operations and strategic initiatives. Focused on fostering collaboration and adapting to emerging trends to align departmental goals with organizational objectives.
Overview
3
3
Languages
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Toughees Shoe HOD
Bata South Africa
01.2026 - Current
- Exhibited self-motivation to enhance productivity and contribute effectively to team goals., with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Effectively worked in diverse teams, contributing ideas and support to enhance group performance. independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Maintained organization and attention to detail while managing multiple tasks and responsibilities. with a strong work ethic.
PU department Head and Laboratory
Bata SA Footwear
06.2016 - 12.2025
- I am leading Pu Department
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and streamline production processes.
- Ensuring department goals are achieved
- Achieved output targets through systematic planning and execution.
- Adhered to safety procedures to maintain a safe working environment
- Maintained cleanliness and organization in the department to support operations.
- Ensured adherence to established processes for operational consistency.
- Conducted departmental stock takes every quarterly.
- Care and growth (provide all necessary resources and hold them accountable) of the department
Senior Process Technician- Process Development
Apollo Tyres South Africa (PTY) LTD
11.2009 - 05.2013
- Conversion of tyre design into workable tyre specifications.
- Achieved and maintained target tyre examination ratings through regular monitoring meetings and specification changes.
- Supervised technical samples and special tyre requests, ensuring dimensions and integrity met specifications.
- Designing and Extrusion of new components to profile (e.g. Tread and sidewall).
- Monitored weekly footprint and took corrective action.
- Focused on achieving better uniformity in original equipment specifications.
- Implemented process revisions to reduce overall costs.
- Implemented measures to minimize waste and defects in manufacturing.
- Conducted assessments to improve quality and performance of products..
- Conduct field evaluation on TBR tyres
Process Technician - Process Development – OTR /LTR/TBX & LTX
Apollo Tyres South Africa (PTY) LTD
06.2005 - 10.2009
- Achieving and maintaining targets tyre examination ratings through regular monitoring meetings and specification changes.
- Conducted mine visits for field evaluation and engaged with customers to address concerns and expand business.
- Conversion of an earthmover tyre design into workable tyre specifications.
- Achieved and maintained target tyre examination ratings through regular monitoring meetings and specification adjustments.
- Supervised technical samples and special tyre requests, ensuring dimensions and integrity met specifications.
- Designing and Extrusion of new components to profile (e.g. Tread and sidewall).
- Reviewed and improved processes to reduce costs.
- Executed measures to reduce production waste and defects.
- Focused on elevating product quality and performance standards.
Tyre Sample Supervisor
Apollo Tyres South Africa (PTY) LTD
01.2004 - 05.2005
- Planning – Order all required raw material as per specification. Supervise extruding of required components (treads, sidewall, inner liner, apex & bead); cutting of plies and breakers to ensure that specification requirements achieved.
- Making - Guide operator through making of sample to adhere to all the requirements of sample request.
- Executed the process of creating tyre samples according to specifications. - Guide operator through making of sample to adhere to all the requirements of sample request.
- Ensured correct mould preparation and curing of tyres to meet specifications. - Ensuring the correct mould is picked up, set up correctly, correct services are used. Tyre is prepared correctly and is cured as per specification.
- Conducted final tyre finishing steps to ensure quality before testing. – tyre is trimmed correctly, viewed/balanced / x-rayed then proceed to testing after passing all relevant stages.
- Conducted thorough tyre testing, including weighing and dimension analysis. – Tyre weighed, dimension and section cut for examination. Section will be analyzed and rated, once is passed then testing can commenced.
Quality Control Inspector
Apollo Tyres South Africa (PTY) LTD
02.2003 - 12.2003
- Conducting auditing, making sure all components are within specification; age limit and passed all required tests. Ensuring tyres are manufactured and cured according to specification.
- Conducted raw cover inspections on cross ply and radial tyres to prevent scrap and ensure integrity by checking for open joints and lifted chafer.
- Inspected finished tyres to confirm compliance with quality standards for delivery.
- Calibrated all measuring units to ensure accurate performance.
- Monitor component variance by using SPC chart and take corrective action where necessary.
- Monitored component variance using SPC chart and took corrective action.
Education
B-Tech - Chemical Engineering
Durban Univesity of Technology
Durban, South AfricaNational Diploma - Plastics and Rubber Industry
The Rubber Association of South Africa
Durban, South Africa01-2011
National Diploma - Chemical Engineering
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Durban, South Africa01-2003
Matric (Std 10) - Zulu, English, Mathematics, Physical science, Biology, Geography
Khula High School
ESikhaleni, South Africa01-1997
Skills
Employee skill inventory
Workflow management
Operational planning
Employee scheduling
Workforce planning
Task delegation
Market analysis
Employee skill inventory
Team leadership
Problem resolution
Decision-making
Training and mentoring
Training and mentoring
Accomplishments
- Understanding the need of achieving and maintaining 110% quality compliance in any production process and what impact quality has in any industry that will strive to be a viable competitor and a sustainable product supplier.
- I’m able to function under pressure, to deliver expected result and be a responsible person when entrusted with any critical tasks.
Timeline
Toughees Shoe HOD
Bata South Africa
01.2026 - Current
PU department Head and Laboratory
Bata SA Footwear
06.2016 - 12.2025
Senior Process Technician- Process Development
Apollo Tyres South Africa (PTY) LTD
11.2009 - 05.2013
Process Technician - Process Development – OTR /LTR/TBX & LTX
Apollo Tyres South Africa (PTY) LTD
06.2005 - 10.2009
Tyre Sample Supervisor
Apollo Tyres South Africa (PTY) LTD
01.2004 - 05.2005
Quality Control Inspector
Apollo Tyres South Africa (PTY) LTD
02.2003 - 12.2003
B-Tech - Chemical Engineering
Durban Univesity of Technology
National Diploma - Plastics and Rubber Industry
The Rubber Association of South Africa
National Diploma - Chemical Engineering
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Matric (Std 10) - Zulu, English, Mathematics, Physical science, Biology, Geography
Khula High School
Languages
English
Upper intermediate (B2)
Isizulu
Advanced (C1)
IsiXhosa
Intermediate (B1)