Vumile Kenneth Luyanda Nongqo
Product Manager, MEA
Randburg
Summary
Professional with substantial experience in guiding product development and driving market success. Adept at leveraging data-driven insights, leading cross-functional teams, and aligning projects with business goals. Strong focus on collaboration, flexibility, and delivering impactful results. Skilled in strategic planning, user experience optimization, and agile methodologies.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Manager, MEA Region
ZF Group A.G
01.2025 - Current
- Responsible for creating and implementing timely regional product range development plans for respective product line/s to achieve defined KPI targets derived from business/ customer requirements in IAM and OES. Be the voices of the regional market to define the product specifications, to position product in the right customer segment for financial success.
• Coordinates regular visual and technical benchmarking of product line against competitor offering, providing input for product positioning statement. Supports workstream activities
defined in regional category strategy. Responsible for maintaining product master data for respective product line/s. Coordinates cross referencing against competitors and OE with Data Team to guarantee customer range demands are fulfilled.
• Act as the regional product owner to support front line Sales team.
Business Development Manager
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Implement Customer Services Sales & Marketing strategies while operationally steering the Agent Network towards set Sales Targets. Manage Dealer Network Performance in relation to 14 After-Sales KPIs that contribute to the national revenue as well as the Dealer’s Turnover. My Portfolio was made up of 18 Dealers, with a combined Group Contribution of 33% of Revenue.
- Generated new business with marketing initiatives and strategic plans.
- Increased client base by identifying new business opportunities and cultivating strong relationships with key decision-makers.
Product Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Responsible for the SUV & EQ (Electric Vehicles) Product Portfolio for Mercedes-Benz South Africa. Managed the product life-Cycle in order to optimize market share, profitability and customer appeal while controlling related costs. In addition, to build and maintain brand usage and performance in compliance to the Company’s Integrity & Anti Bribery Codes, Conflict of Interest Policy & S.H.E.Q requirements and to perform delegated S.H.E.Q tasks and duties & to inform superior about deviations. The role also had a dotted reporting line to the co-CEO, as I served as the Executive Assistant.
Business Development Manager
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Implement Customer Services Sales & Marketing strategies by operationally steering the Agent Network towards set Sales Targets. Manage Dealer Network Performance in relation to 14 After-Sales KPIs that contribute to the national revenue as well as the Dealer’s labor rate. My Portfolio was made up of 22 Dealers, with a combined Group Contribution of 26% of Revenue.
- Generated new business with marketing initiatives and strategic plans.
- Established relationships with key decision-makers within customer's organization to promote growth and retention.
Parts Logistics Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Responsible for managing all operations at the Isando Parts Logistics Center – a Cross Docking facility. Total value of all supplier contracts linked to the Logistics Facility was R450 million, and included: A Customs Freight Forwarding Supplier, A Service Provider responsible for Parts Deliveries to the Dealers from the LC and in between Dealers, A Service Provider responsible for picking, packing and shipping, A Waste Management Service Provider, A Packaging Supplier
- Notable achievement: R40million buy-back project with the Global Parts & Logistics team in Germany.
DRT (Theft Related) Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Managed and ensured integrity of the Theft Related Office by complying to stringent DAG guidelines. Provided Technical support on Parts Identification and Vehicle Key & Control Unit programming. Manage entire DRT value Chain from ordering to parts reaching the Dealer and subsequently, the end-customer. Also ensure Dealer Network Compliance by continuous Audits. Responsible for the DRT warehouse total stock. Value, R10 million.
Parts Technical Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Maintain and develop the Mercedes Benz Parts Database in line with the Parts Department and Market requirements. Manage a Team of 6 Parts Administrators in executing business strategy and personal development. Manage New Model Introductions by co-ordinating Planning and Action Meetings & liaising with all stakeholders – this includes Marketing, Finance, training, and Supply Chain and Logistics. Manage monthly meetings with the Tyre OEMs.
Maintenance Contracts Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Ensure that all Passenger Car Rates for maintenance and service are reviewed at least twice a year and are available at the launch of each MB Model. Coordinate with lines of business to ensure that all costs relating to the contracts are correct to minimize exposure of contract.
Parts Technical Administrator
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Provide Parts Technical support for Dealer Network by assisting with parts interpretation, technical drawing analysis, and supersession maintenance and query escalation to Germany. Ensure parts system readiness for new models by creating initial basket parts and analysis of each model from bumper to bumper.
Team Coordinator
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Promote and encourage continuous improvement and support the Team manager with campaigns or actions on line. Immediate Stand-in for the Team Manager. Monitor attendance and ensure operators have the needed resource to perform duties.
Assembly Line Quality inspector
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Do Quality checks on products leaving a given assembly line. Create a report for Line Management showing trends on different type of Faults.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Business Management
Regent Business School
01.2023
International Leadership Development Program -
Lead Globally
11.2013
Management Development Programme - NQF 6
University of Stellenbosch Business School
12.2012
Certificate - Business Management (NQF 6)
Graduate Institute Of Management and Technology
05.2010
Skills
- Customer Experience Management
- Sales
- Business Strategy Formulation & Implementation
- Project Management
- Planning
- Strong Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Attention to detail
- Adapting to a High Performance Culture
- Change Management
- Initiative
- Quick Learning
- Action oriented and Assertive
- Conflict resolution
- Networking Intelligence
- Product lifecycle management
- Project planning
- Product vision and strategy
- Product roadmaps
- Critical thinking
- Product positioning
References
Mpumelelo, Zulu, Industry Leader: Risk Management Practice Automotive, Manufacturing, CMT, Mpume.Zulu@Marsh.com, 084 320 2071
Timeline
Product Manager, MEA Region
ZF Group A.G
01.2025 - Current
Business Development Manager
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2023 - 01.2024
Product Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2021 - 01.2023
Business Development Manager
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2018 - 01.2021
Parts Logistics Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2015 - 01.2018
DRT (Theft Related) Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2013 - 01.2015
Parts Technical Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2011 - 01.2013
Maintenance Contracts Specialist
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2010 - 01.2011
Parts Technical Administrator
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2006 - 01.2010
Team Coordinator
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2003 - 01.2006
Assembly Line Quality inspector
Mercedes-Benz South Africa
01.2000 - 01.2003
Management Development Programme - NQF 6
University of Stellenbosch Business School
Certificate - Business Management (NQF 6)
Graduate Institute Of Management and Technology
Advanced Diploma - Business Management
Regent Business School
International Leadership Development Program -
Lead Globally
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