Thokozani Raphael Mbhele
Durban
Summary
Accomplished Engineer with proven skills across design, implementation and delivery lifecycles. Communicates complex technical concepts well for clear understanding across varied audiences. Resilient and adaptable to achieve results in fast-paced environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Projects Engineer
Braceable Manufacturing
10.2024 - Current
- Conducting technical evaluations of engineering designs and test results.
- Developed high-quality engineering designs and plans to meet industry standards.
- Checking fixture (CF) and assembly fixture design.
- Conducting SPTT meetings with the customer.
- Evaluating supplier readiness to deliver the project.
- Samples parts evaluation.
- Making Parts inspection sheets (PIS) for in house parts.
- Making Sample data sheets (SDS) for in house parts.
Section Manager
Toyota Boshoku South Africa
04.2022 - 03.2023
- Managing daily and monthly production department performance
- Department budget management
- Quality management and improvement
- Managed team performance by communicating regular feedback and improvements required through appraisals
- Coordinated team meetings daily to delegate tasks, communicate priorities and discuss goals
- Responded to additional out-of-hours business needs through flexible working
- Addressed staff concerns and sought remedial action to improve retention
- Eliminated non-value-add activity to improve operational processes and increase department profits
- Completed and escalated accident forms to reduce workplace risk
- Kept quality assurance documentation updated, organised and maintained for reliable records
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current best practices, implementing improvements to meet industry standards
- Implemented absence management processes, addressing concerns to improve staff attendance
- Trained team members to full confidence and competency, uplifting department performance
- Devised safe working policies to limit risk and meet compliance objectives
- Mentored colleagues to drive performance improvements against team objectives
- Recognised workflow challenges and delays, implementing remedial action to complete projects within targets
- Identified automation opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce cost
- Downtime management within the department
- Cost reduction targets management
- Health and safety within the department
- Employee skill and training
- Introduced corporate initiatives to aid process improvements and achieve business objectives
- Assessed team capacity and capability against customer demand to plan shifts accordingly
Principal Engineer
Toyota South Africa Motors
02.2019 - 09.2021
- Initiating and Managing Engineering changes (ECI's) to vehicle components
- Designing parts for domestic vehicles
- Making detailed 3D and 2D drawings for local parts using CATIA V5 software
- Co-ordinating Engineering activities between local suppliers and designers in JAPAN, Thailand and Europe for global projects
- Studying and approving Engineering and manufacturing process cost reduction ideas (VA/VE)
- Modification of global designs to suit local suppliers
- Conducting design reviews with all relevant departments
- Making and maintenance of BOM (bill of materials)
- Investigating all the customer field failures (FTR's)
- Doing parts costing for new components
- Facilitated design workshops to build and brainstorm ideas, translating requirements into design
- Supported the design team in preplanning the process chain, design, detailed design and simulation
Inter-company trainee
Toyota Motor East Japan
05.2007 - 06.2014
- Implemented innovative cost-reduction initiatives, continually boosting procurement efficiency
- Managed cost reduction strategies for the development of Toyota Quest
- Making Engineering changes for all South Africa parts
Education
Manager development programme - short
Toyota Training Centre
09-2014
Toyota Business practice - short
Toyota Training Centre
06-2012
National Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Mangosuthu University of Technology
01.2007
National senior certificate -
Buthathubunye High School
Ixopo, KZN01.2002
Skills
- Project Management
- Budget Management
- Problem-Solving
- Communication Skills
- Prototyping
- Materials Planning
- Specifications Understanding
- Design Detailing
- Analytical-Thinking
- Root Cause Analysis
- LEAN Manufacturing
- Value Engineering (VA/VE)
- FMEA study
- Using CAD CATIA
- Parts evaluation
- EDER Analysis
- Supplier audits
- SAP
- Parts costing
- Project planning
- Microsoft Projects
- Making detailed Engineering drawings
- 3D models using CAD CATIA
- Making parts evaluation standards
- Making PIS
- Making SDS
- Checking fixture design
Accomplishments
- Project leader for cost reduction team, 2015, Managed to save the company about R6M per year.
- Awarded for best cost reduction ideas, 2015-2017, Received recognition from Toyota Motor Corporation.
- Successfully led the design team, Conversion of Toyota Avanza to a Panel van.
Languages
IsiZulu
English
Additionalinformation
Drivers licence ; C1
Passport ; Yes
Timeline
Projects Engineer
Braceable Manufacturing
10.2024 - Current
Section Manager
Toyota Boshoku South Africa
04.2022 - 03.2023
Principal Engineer
Toyota South Africa Motors
02.2019 - 09.2021
Inter-company trainee
Toyota Motor East Japan
05.2007 - 06.2014
National Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Mangosuthu University of Technology
National senior certificate -
Buthathubunye High School
Manager development programme - short
Toyota Training Centre
Toyota Business practice - short
Toyota Training Centre
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