Craig Ball
Ohakune,MWT
Summary
Dedicated, hard-working, hands-on Engineering Manager talented in satisfying client needs in fast-paced, high-volume settings. Able to keep calm and take control when under pressure. A passion for continuous learning and innovation. Analytical thinker with creativity in solving problems. Safety-conscious with a strong work ethic, proactive attitude and the ability to adapt to different environments. Ready to contribute to a dynamic team and make a positive impact.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Engineering Manager
Winstone Pulp International
Manawatū-Whanganui, Ohakune
01.2020 - Current
- Manage a team of 8 engineers, delegating tasks and monitoring progress.
- Ensured compliance with applicable Major Hazard Facility laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to engineering operations.
- Provided technical guidance to graduate engineers.
- Established relationships with contractors to obtain work at cost-effective prices.
- Investigated new technologies and techniques that could improve production methods or reduce costs.
- Prepared budgets for each area and monitored expenditures to stay within financial limits.
- Led the resolution of complex engineering problems (RCFA), applying technical knowledge and analytical skills to ensure timely and cost-effective solutions.
- Conducted regular performance reviews and provided mentorship to engineering staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for the engineering department, aligning with overall company objectives and driving technological advancements.
Plant Engineer
Twinsaver Group SA
Vereeniging, Johannesburg/South Africa
08.2015 - 12.2019
- Asset Management, Plant Reliability, Maintenance, and Health and Safety
- Manage the Engineering Department. Responsible for all aspects of the plant, equipment, health and safety, fire prevention, buildings, and structures.
- Lead all root cause failure analysis, identifying causes of failures and implementing corrective actions.
- Introduced preventative maintenance by developing daily walk-through inspections for the trades, creating schedules for all equipment.
- Implemented predictive maintenance through condition monitoring, vibration analysis, oil samples, and thermography.
- Generated shut plans for monthly planned shutdowns. Identifying work, spares, resources, time, and costs.
- Create a scope of work for all projects, obtaining quotations, researching new technologies, negotiating with contractors, drafting capital expenditure applications, and manage projects to completion.
- Managed the plant engineering and site budget, ensuring no over- expenditure.
- Developed KPIs for my Foreman and his team.
- Managed the Engineering Stores, identifying critical spares, stock applications, stock levels, and stock outs.
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Bridgestone Tyres South Africa
Brits, Pretoria/ Johannesburg
10.2008 - 07.2015
- Maintained accurate records of all design changes resulting from engineering investigations or customer requests.
- Managed the Engineering Department in the maintenance of all 132 curing presses and final inspection.
- Ensured that all curing processes were at their optimum by analyzing the cure charts and making required corrections.
- Undertook root cause and fishbone analysis on all daily tire scrap to identify causes and eliminate them.
- Setup the Planning Department and Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Identified repetitive breakdowns, monitored equipment availability, mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR), and mean time to failure (MTTF).
- Oversaw the health and safety of all employees in my section.
- Participated in cross-functional teams with representatives from production, technical, and quality.
Engineering Manager
Dunlop Tyres South Africa
Ladysmith, Kwazulu Natal
01.2004 - 09.2008
- Managed four Senior Engineers in overall plant reliability and plant maintenance.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to engineering operations.
- Developed and monitored budgets and capital expenditure in the plant.
- Developed plans for the future use of the site.
- Ensured that all statutory inspections were done timeously and in accordance with the occupational health and safety act (OSHAct)
- Managed the Safety Committee.
- Managed all contractors entering the site.
- Planned the annual shut, identified work, required spares, time, and costs.
Education
Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering - Engineering
Natal Technikon
Durban - South Africa12-2000
Skills
- Resourceful nature
- Strategic Planning
- Prioritization
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, MS projects, PowerPoint
- Hydraulics and pneumatics, reading drawings and fault finding
- Understanding of General machinery regulations
- Occupational health and safety
- Root cause failure analysis
- Asset management
- Re-design, continuous improvement
- Problem solving
- Planning and organizing
- Personnel Management
- Engineering Design
- Decision-making skills
Timeline
Engineering Manager
Winstone Pulp International
01.2020 - Current
Plant Engineer
Twinsaver Group SA
08.2015 - 12.2019
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Bridgestone Tyres South Africa
10.2008 - 07.2015
Engineering Manager
Dunlop Tyres South Africa
01.2004 - 09.2008
Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering - Engineering
Natal Technikon
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