Adri du Plessis
Tauranga,New Zealand
Summary
Experienced and detail-oriented Production Planner & Administrative Professional with over 13 years in the footwear manufacturing industry and a solid foundation in customer service and retail operations. Proven ability to plan large-scale production schedules (up to 700,000 pairs/year), streamline operations using ERP/MRP tools, and liaise across departments to meet deadlines. Known for reliability, initiative, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Production Planner & Administrative Coordinator
Bolton Footwear
South Africa, Part-Time -Remotely
05.2015 - Current
- Schedule production of 650,000–700,000 shoe pairs annually across 2 manufacturing plants and 8 SMMEs.
- Developed production schedules according to deadlines for existing orders and sales forecasting.
- Lead a team of planners and coordinate with various departments to ensure timely production and inventory flow.
- Use ERP, MRP, and TOC tools to optimize inventory and reduce lead times.
- Maintain 90–95% on-time delivery rate.
- Manage material requirements and resolve urgent out-of-stock requests quickly.
- Chair production meetings and track progress against planning calendars.
- Worked directly with production personnel to resolve production scheduling issues and conflicts.
- Presented updated order and production status reports to sales staff and management.
- Created production forecasting plans utilizing Excel spreadsheet tools and input from production and management teams.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify process improvements, resulting in increased productivity levels.
- Mentored junior staff members, fostering a positive team environment that encouraged knowledge sharing and skill development opportunities.
- Reduced lead times by closely monitoring production schedules and addressing bottlenecks promptly.
Accounts & Fleet Management Assistant
Facilitate Group
New Zealand
02.2025 - 05.2025
- Provide administrative and technical support for fleet operations, ensuring compliance and maintenance schedules are upheld.
- Support the finance team by processing purchase/work orders in SimPRO and Xero.
- Collaborate directly with management accountants for smooth financial operations.
- Remote
Import Administrator
Bolton Footwear
South Africa
06.2011 - 05.2015
- Traveled internationally for product selection and trade fairs in Italy, Germany, China.
- Handled import logistics, customs compliance, and supplier coordination.
- Compiled seasonal import catalogues and coordinated sales agent communications.
Area Manager Coordinator
Tekkie Town
South Africa
02.2009 - 05.2011
- Served as liaison between 20 Area Managers and 167 stores.
- Managed schedules, travel arrangements, communications, and project documentation.
- Streamlined administrative systems to improve operational efficiency.
General Manager
Itsu
London, UK
10.2002 - 11.2008
- Opened 4 new retail branches as part of the NSO team.
- Managed teams of 12–24; daily sales ranged from £3,000 to £20,000.
- Trained and coached staff; ensured adherence to operational and hygiene standards.
- Delivered business targets in a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment.
- Acted as first point of contact for staff, vendors, and customers
Education
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - Labour Relations & Personnel Management
North-West University
01.2000
Certificate - Pastoral Care & Trauma Counselling
North-West University
01.2012
Matric (High School Diploma) - undefined
Ben Viljoen High School
01.1997
Skills
- Production & Demand Planning
- Supply Chain & Inventory Management
- Administrative & Office Coordination
- ERP & MRP Systems (OneBeat, SYSPRO, SimPRO, Xero)
- Team Leadership & Development
- Process Optimization (TOC, ISO Standards)
- Project Coordination
- Customer Service & Stakeholder Engagement
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Data Analysis & Report Preparation
Certification
- ISO 9001:2015 & 19011:2011 Internal & Supplier Quality Auditor
- First Aid, Basic & Intermediate Food Hygiene
- Grade 8 Piano – UNISA
- Training Courses: Appraisals, Interviewing, Team Leadership, Trainer Workshop
Languages
English (Fluent)
Afrikaans (Fluent)
Timeline
Accounts & Fleet Management Assistant
Facilitate Group
02.2025 - 05.2025
Production Planner & Administrative Coordinator
Bolton Footwear
05.2015 - Current
Import Administrator
Bolton Footwear
06.2011 - 05.2015
Area Manager Coordinator
Tekkie Town
02.2009 - 05.2011
General Manager
Itsu
10.2002 - 11.2008
Matric (High School Diploma) - undefined
Ben Viljoen High School
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - Labour Relations & Personnel Management
North-West University
Certificate - Pastoral Care & Trauma Counselling
North-West University