Roedolf Greyling

I’m currently working at Sasol GVC Ammonia for the past 16 years

Where the last 6 years I’ve been a Production Foreman

Part of my normal duties is to lead and manage a production shift, ensuring supply of products through the procurement and effective usage of resources

I’m a Home & Hobby Distiller in my free time. Love experimenting with the fermentation. Different starting pH, temperature range and yeast strains. I always try to increase my yield, but still striving for an excellent quality product. 

It’s part of why I love processes so much. 

In Jun 2006, while I was still in my Sec Semester for my N Dip in Chem Eng, I joined Sasol’s Candidate Operator program with 3 other candidates.

In Jul 2008 2 of us was selected to join Sasol permanently.

I started my professional career with still maintaining my focus on studying.

I finished my N Dip in Chem Eng in Jun 2009.

I took me 2.5 years to learn our 14 Unit plant fully outside and in Mar 2011 I started to learn the DCS/Panel inside.

Another 2 years and I passed my DCS evaluation in 2013.

I moved my focus to ensuring that I know my plant inside out. 

Made me prepared for any unforeseen event or issue.

I started my B Tech in Chem Eng in 2013 and completed it in 2015.

I love working on the DCS, optimization was my most favorite part.

I was always looking how I could improve the process. 

Running the reactor slightly hotter to produce more in house steam, thus requiring lesser steam from the shift Co-Ordination.

Making the same Ammonia yield, but saving cost on raw materials.

I also enjoyed teaching the new learners the plant and DCS.

The joy of them starting up a Unit for the first time with no issues is the best.

Some reshuffling in Sasol gave me the opportunity to become Production Foreman in Nov 2016.

My first fought was this is awesome; I’m going to have my own team and own shift.

Within two months my attitude change and it was tough. 

I am very self-driven and pushed my own performance to excel in my career, but suddenly my KPI’s was in the hands of my team, their performance, training and safety.

I asked my direct manager, who is still my current Area Manager, to help me and he suggested some courses I could attend.

I did:      Problem Solving and Decision Making, 

Crucial Conversations & Critical Accountability, 

Personal Mastery of Emotional Intelligence &

Sasol Lead Development Program POLC

6 years later I enjoy my team very much. I’ve learned each individuals work talents and some personal interest.

Angelo is the muscle of the shift and I’m fascinated in his hunting dog breeding.

Irene is the strict safe rep, being a single parent, I know little Tato loves Dinosaurs.

Eugene is my senior DCS artisan and he just announce that his wife is expecting again.

Daniel is the all-rounder and loves talking to you about anything interesting.

I went from excelling on my own to caring and excelling my team, while still reaching production targets.

One of my future goals is to further grow personally and professionally. 

I am currently employed at GVC Sasol: Ammonia as a Production Foreman in Operations. I have 16+ years' experience in the production environment, where 6+ of those years I have been working as a Production Foreman in a Chemical Environment. I also have experience in acting Area manager 10+ years. I have got 12+ years’ experience working on the panel/DCS in a Chemical Environment.

B-Tech Chemical Engineering @ Vaal University of Technology