Heidi-Lize Marais

I am a reliable, self-driven, and hard-working professional committed to achieving excellence in all my endeavours. As a strong individual contributor, I excel both independently and collaboratively within a team. My dynamic and energetic approach is driven by a passion for results, and I am meticulous in maintaining a systematic and structured methodology with a keen focus on project deliverables. I am adept at efficiently managing resources to ensure timely project completion. Embracing growth and change, I am comfortable learning and adapting to new systems and environments.

Swartland Investments PTY LTD (April 2016 - Current)

Product Development Coordinator/Project Manager

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overseeing the entire product improvement process for both local and export products, as well as managing new product development from conception to successful production. This role involves problem-solving, conducting research, procuring resources, negotiating prices, and providing training for production implementation.
• Overseeing a team of Product development technicians.
• Overseeing the company draughtsman, providing comprehensive support for all technical drawings. Skilled in designing products, as well as reading, interpreting, and approving product and hardware technical drawings.Leading the testing process and implementation of hardware products during supplier transitions, ensuring smooth production transitions, and coordinating material trials for products and raw materials.
• Developed policies and standard working procedures as required within the area of responsibility as well as assisting production.
• Maintain accurate project data, prioritized multiple projects, and managing costs and timelines.
• Leading collaboration on technical projects and technical product development.
• Engage and communicate regularly with cross-functional teams, including personnel in Planning, SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality), Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Procurement, Sales, and Marketing with regards to all Projects at all manufacturing facilities.
• Working with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot technical and production issues.
• Auditing and improving operations and maintaining a safe working environment.
• Address customer complaints internally and externally, including construction sites, and providing support in Quality Forums for market-related issues. Additionally, assisting quality issues in various factories.
• Collaborating with International companies and their technicians regularly.
• Collaborating with International companies for procurement of raw materials.
• Led the implementation of innovative systems for technical drawings and product development as part of ongoing continuous improvement initiatives within the company.
• Ensuring strict adherence to health and safety standards, including meticulous housekeeping practices.
• Driving World Class Manufacturing Disciplines; supporting a Gemba culture; instilling company values, managing expectations, cultivating the Toyota way (world-class manufacturing) systems and processes, as well as lean manufacturing principles.

Swartland Investments PTY LTD (2011 – March 2016)

Spray-paint Finishing Production Plant

Production Superintendant

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Driving World Class Manufacturing Disciplines to support a Gemba Culture, instilling company values, managing expectations, and cultivating lean manufacturing principles.
• Managing an entire spray-paint and assembly production team, consisting of 8-25 employees.
• Regularly training production employees to ensure adherence to company policy, emphasizing problem-solving and multi-skilling to foster ownership and independence across all factory operations without compromising quality.
• Ensuring strict adherence to health and safety standards, including meticulous housekeeping practices.
• Ensuring adherence to maintenance schedules by both maintenance department and factory operators.
• Meeting daily production schedules and strategizing production plans to accommodate customer demand, prioritizing customer satisfaction, and upholding world-class manufacturing standards.
• Ensuring ISO 9001:2015 systems and standard operating procedures are present and adhered to within the factory.
• Providing external assistance for customer complaints and supporting the after-sales service department by addressing coating issues, performing paint touch-ups, and maintaining doors and windows at customers' residences.
• Pre-finishing, spray painting, glass cutting, glazing, assembly, and packaging of various window and door products.
• Procuring all machinery and parts to maintain optimal factory functionality, minimizing downtime, and ensuring smooth operations.
• Ensuring interdepartmental cooperation and systems are maintained and improved.
• Providing daily feedback and preparing departmental monthly reports, presenting to relevant stakeholders.

Degree: 

Bachelor of Science in Wood Product Science 

(60% Industrial Engineering)