Yoliswa Vana
Olivedale, Johannesburg
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in the mining industry, excelling in product and project management, and technical sales. Proven track record in maintaining client relationships, developing mentorship programs, and enhancing business development strategies for Betachem Pty Ltd. Exceptional communication skills and a strong analytical mindset have driven significant improvements in team performance and client satisfaction. Committed to fostering growth and innovation.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Non-Executive Director
Betachem Pty Ltd
Johannesburg
07.2023 - Current
- Provided leadership, insight, and mentoring to our technical sales interns and technicians to supply knowledge of various company procedures.
- I have developed and implemented a mentorship program to support mentees with training, development, and career growth.
- Design, manufacturing, and marketing of mining chemicals, as sold outside the borders of South Africa.
- Interviewed prospective employees and provided input to HR on hiring decisions.
- Evaluated individual and team business performance and identified opportunities for improvement.
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
- Led discussions with shareholders regarding strategy, capital allocation, dividends and other key issues affecting the organization.
- Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints requiring management-level escalation.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure favorable terms and pricing.
- Participated in strategic planning sessions aimed at defining future goals for the organisation.
Director of Business Development
Betachem Agencies Pty Ltd
Johannesburg
10.2020 - Current
- Marketing of general and mining chemicals within the borders of South Africa.
- Maintained accurate records of all sales activities in CRM systems including contacts made and agreements reached.
- Drafted proposals for prospective clients outlining product features and benefits along with cost estimates and delivery timelines.
- Analyzed market trends and identified new business opportunities in existing and potential markets.
- Recommended product changes to enhance customer interest and maximize sales.
- Generated leads and capitalized on valuable business opportunities to bring in new company revenue and improve bottom line profit.
- Met with sales and design departments to determine project road maps and create unique products to drive profitability and champion brand.
Senior Metallurgist and Product Manager
Betachem Pty Ltd
Johannesburg
01.2018 - Current
- Identified new business by solving the client’s problems, conducting market research, and strategizing.
- Provide technical proposals.
- Lead cross-functional teams, including logistics, internal sales, and production, to ensure the quality assurance of the product delivered and that project milestones are met.
- Monitor project budgets, control costs, and implement strategies to mitigate risks, and keep projects financially viable.
- Identify potential project risks, develop risk mitigation plans, and take proactive steps to minimize project disruptions by creating suitable dashboards and systems.
- Ensure all projects adhere to relevant client or industry regulations, environmental standards, and safety protocols.
- Implement quality control processes to ensure that project deliverables meet or exceed the client's standards.
- Lead the development and demonstration of chemical product solutions and procedures in the technical sales team.
- Demonstrated process solutions, designs with reagents, and equipment for the mining industry. These processes include flotation of valuable minerals, water treatment, leaching, and mineralogical analysis.
- I have acquired invaluable industry knowledge and contacts.
- I’ve worked on projects outside South Africa, such as Zambia (FQML) and Zimbabwe (Anglo, Impala, Sibanye Stillwater) at the concentrator operations.
- Clients that I have worked with at concentrators and refineries are at least AngloAmerican, Impala, Sibanye Stillwaters, Northam, Vedanta, Eastplats
- Provided technical guidance to junior metallurgists in analyzing test results and troubleshooting issues.
- Conducted training sessions on new material products, applications and manufacturing methods for customers.
- Investigated customer complaints related to product quality or performance issues due to material selection or fabrication errors.
- Managed inventory levels of raw materials used in metal production processes.
- Evaluated technical specifications and economic factors to maintain product design objectives.
- Collaborated with engineers from other departments to develop efficient methods for producing high-quality parts.
- Monitored changes in industry standards regarding metal processing techniques and recommended adjustments as necessary.
- Developed pricing models based on competitive analysis of similar products in the industry.
- Developed technical content for marketing materials, such as brochures and website content.
- Identified areas of improvement in existing processes and procedures related to sales operations.
Technical Sales Engineer
Betachem Pty Ltd
Johannesburg
01.2016 - Current
- Conducted site visits to assess customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Managed client relationships (CRM) by providing technical and sales support, such as demonstrating, training, and providing procedures and safety guidance to handle and use the chemical products in the processing plants.
- Identified process issues (troubleshoot) that are hindering the client from meeting their targets, and lead on-site processing plant projects to help meet the client’s targets or improve current plant performance. Present the outcome of the project to the client for a final decision to be made, and implement the solution permanently to the plant.
- Provide technical support to processing plants and reagent trials by leading projects to improve plant performance, conducting and analyzing metallurgical plant results, interpreting data to identify areas for improvement, and measuring qualitatively and quantitatively what the chemical performance is on the plant using data analysis, statistical and process improvement tools (confidence intervals, t-test, and Minitab), and mineralogical analysis.
- Provide technical reports to the client.
- Responsible for planning and conducting on-site or laboratory-based testing programs, including data analysis, and reporting. Manage and maintain project costs within budget.
- Developed sales plans to introduce new products to market.
- Offered technical and non-technical support and services to clients and staff regarding product use, operation and maintenance.
- Maintained accurate sales forecasting reports.
- Researched and identified potential customers.
- Maintained accurate records of sales activities including customer contact information, proposals sent out, follow-up calls made.
Education
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree - Extractive Metallurgy
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, ZA04.2016
Bachelor of Science - Geology
University of The Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, ZA03.2014
High School Matriculated -
Newcastle High School
Newcastle, ZA12.2009
Skills
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent leadership skills
- Analytical and mathematical mind
- Well-organized
- Technical sales
- Mentorship program development
- Project management
- Business development
References
- Kelvin Mukuku, +27 71 417 5836, Concentrator Manager at Eastplats Mine
- Arnold Hartzenburg, +27 64 742 5747, Plant Technical Superintendent at Booysendal Mine Northam
- Simbarashe Nyakunuhwa, +27 73 804 7845, Concentrator Manager at AngloAmerican Amandelbult Concentrator
- Beverley Malinga, +27 71 869 7016, Director at Betachem Agencies Pty Ltd
- Veerona Jokoo, +27 83 293 0963, Admin & Sales Senior Manager at Betachem Agencies Pty Ltd and Explochem Pty Ltd
Timeline
Non-Executive Director
Betachem Pty Ltd
07.2023 - Current
Director of Business Development
Betachem Agencies Pty Ltd
10.2020 - Current
Senior Metallurgist and Product Manager
Betachem Pty Ltd
01.2018 - Current
Technical Sales Engineer
Betachem Pty Ltd
01.2016 - Current
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree - Extractive Metallurgy
University of Pretoria
Bachelor of Science - Geology
University of The Witwatersrand
High School Matriculated -
Newcastle High School
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