Jaco van Deventer

I am a South African citizen that has been working and residing in Romania since 2018 and recently return to my home city of Gqeberha.

From my employment history, you will notice that I have gained extensive working experience in a wide variety of manufacturing processes and equipment that include stainless steel fabrication, aluminium casting and machining, plastic injection moulding, vacuum forming, PVC skin forming, polyurethane foaming, surface coatings, ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, precision laser cutting and various material handling systems - to name just a few. Many processes were for safety critical components.

I have gained extensive experience in the design, implementation and optimisation of production lines, taking cognisance of all Lean Manufacturing Principles and sound Project Management procedures. In this regard, I am also a member of the Project Management Institute.

During my career I also had responsibility for the maintenance functions of a plant for a considerable period, during which time I was responsible for the implementation of TPM for the equipment, installations and property. Working with high value items, day-to-day security formed part of my responsibilities. Project management responsibility for the design, construction and commissioning of various factories and the related equipment were undertook during my career.

I have gained considerable experience in creating a safe and healthy workplace. Added to this, I have implemented ISO environmental standards for two production sites and were actively involved in energy savings initiatives on various occasions.

Over the years, my initial engineering studies were backed up by formal management training and studies. My commercial skills are well developed, given the years of operational experience in day-to-day management as well as drafting of business plans for future endeavours.

With regards to the management of colleagues, I strongly believe in formal management procedures and policies. Projects that I have been involved in over the years necessitated the hiring and development of highly effective teams. From role models over the years, I came to the conclusion that clear goals, progress reporting, accountability and a supportive management style will create a positive work environment where every individual can be the best he or she is capable of, whilst having fun in doing so.

Having worked with teams from multiple nationalities over the last years, I am comfortable working in a diverse environment. In an effort to improve my knowledge and skills regarding the development of people, I am currently busy with courses to certify as assessor and moderator.

My passion lies with the training and coaching of shopfloor staff and in particular, first line supervision where I feel many manufacturing organisations fail.