Rudi Delport
Rukuhia,Hamilton
Summary
Dynamic Product & Technical Manager with a proven track record at Electrical Supply Corp, excelling in market research and product development. Expert in process optimization and team collaboration, driving significant cost reductions and enhancing user experience. Adept at mentoring teams and implementing lean manufacturing strategies to achieve operational excellence.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Product & Technical Manager
Electrical Supply Corp
Te Rapa, Hamilton
06.2022 - Current
- Collected and analyzed market research data for use in forecasting.
- Managed product demonstrations, testimonials and benchmarks for performance evaluation.
- Monitored industry trends and identified opportunities for innovation within the product portfolio.
- Generated reports detailing progress against goals set by executive team members.
- Worked closely with customers to determine appropriate marketing offerings and strategies for business needs.
- Developed and implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and sales.
- Engaged customers through interviews to define product vision, features, and releases.
- Identified customer needs through user interviews, surveys, focus groups, and other feedback mechanisms.
- Supported new business development by designing appealing product sales promotions.
- Established relationships with third party developers who could extend the reach of our products.
- Worked with engineers to improve user experience and confirm builds meet user specifications.
- Identified potential risks associated with product design decisions prior to launch.
- Identified opportunities for cost savings in the product design process.
- Assisted in developing training materials related to product design principles.
- Analyzed complex problems associated with product design and manufacturing processes.
- Resolved issues related to product design or engineering drawings.
- Provided technical guidance on product design and quality control issues.
Production Manager
Formway Design Studio
Petone, Wellington
05.2018 - 05.2022
- Evaluated schedules, orders and forecasts to plan processes and meet timetables.
- Liaised between senior plant management and line-level supervision to maintain open communications.
- Applied lean strategies to implement operational enhancements, promote efficiency and cut costs.
- Developed and administered budgets for inventory, labor hours and overhead expenses.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
- Utilized advanced technical skills and expertise to troubleshoot complex problems and implement solutions.
- Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
Head of Mechanical Engineering Department
Vynco Industries
, Christchurch
02.2014 - 04.2018
- Designed test control apparatus or equipment to develop procedures for testing products.
- Conferred with engineers to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions or provide technical information.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure successful completion of cross-functional initiatives.
- Developed and implemented strategies to optimize operational efficiency of the department.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers for materials used in production process.
- Served as a point of contact between external clients and partners and internal teams working on joint projects.
- Managed budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation and cost control activities within the department.
- Provided technical leadership to direct reports, mentoring them on best practices in mechanical engineering.
- Estimated costs or submitted bids for engineering, construction or extraction projects.
- Provided technical guidance on product design and development projects.
- Provided technical support on product design optimization based on FEA results.
- Coordinated with other departments regarding product design changes.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to inform product design decisions.
- Provided guidance on product design, packaging, pricing strategies, advertising campaigns.
- Collaborated with engineering teams on product design modifications as needed.
- Provided technical guidance during product design activities, including prototyping and testing.
- Developed and implemented product design strategies to meet customer requirements.
- Developed prototypes for product testing and validation.
- Conducted product testing in accordance with established procedures, protocols and safety regulations.
Quality Manager
Vynco Industries
, Christchurch
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Led the selection and implementation of quality management software to streamline processes and enhance traceability.
- Ensured effective implementation of corrective actions to resolve any identified issues or discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Developed and maintained quality documentation, including quality manuals, procedures, and records.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
- Planned and delivered training sessions to improve employee effectiveness and address areas of weakness.
- Managed team of technicians and inspectors to ensure adherence to product requirements.
- Led the development and implementation of quality management systems in accordance with ISO 9001 standards.
- Developed and implemented quality management systems to ensure compliance with customer requirements.
- Analyzed quality data and metrics to identify trends, drive improvements, and support decision-making processes.
- Delivered reports on quality control metrics to internal departments for analysis as well as to outside vendors and contractors for consideration in new contracts.
- Proposed or approved modifications to project plans.
- Conducted training sessions for employees on quality assurance processes, techniques and tools.
- Provided technical guidance on quality control activities to support efficient operations.
- Monitored changes in quality regulations and standards, updating company practices to maintain compliance.
- Participated in new product development projects to ensure quality requirements were integrated from the outset.
- Ensured compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations, minimizing risks and promoting a safe workplace.
- Created and managed budgets for travel, training, and team-building activities.
Supply Quality Engineer
Schneider Electric
, Christchurch
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Oversaw the development of quality control documentation, including test procedures and inspection criteria.
- Developed and maintained Quality Assurance procedures in accordance with ISO 9001 standards.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop solutions that improve overall product quality.
- Provided guidance in the development of sampling plans for incoming material inspections.
- Implemented corrective and preventive actions to address non-conformities identified during quality inspections.
- Designed and executed test plans for product validation and reliability testing.
- Utilized statistical process control techniques to monitor and control manufacturing processes.
- Generated engineering documentation and oversaw design projects.
- Conferred with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
- Maintained records of all products manufactured in accordance with documentation requirements.
- Reviewed engineering drawings, process specifications, test requirements, inspection plans, and other technical documents for accuracy.
- Reviewed customer feedback and complaints to identify quality issues and improvement opportunities.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to establish quality criteria for new products.
- Communicated with clients and coworkers about analysis results.
- Contributed to root cause evaluation to mitigate risk and foster continuous improvement.
- Fulfilled orders by successfully planning, budgeting, and coordinating projects.
- Managed supplier quality performance, ensuring materials met stringent quality requirements.
- Participated in continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for process optimization based on best practices from industry standards.
Production Engineer
Volkswagen South Africa
, Uitenhage
02.1993 - 12.2009
- Communicated with engineering personnel to discuss test results and implications.
- Implemented lean manufacturing techniques such as 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, to reduce waste and improve productivity.
- Performed regular maintenance checks on machines used in the manufacturing process.
- Provided technical support to internal departments such as Quality Assurance, Research and Development.
- Mentored new engineering and production team members.
- Coordinated with vendor representatives to organize schedules, review specifications and meet quality goals.
- Supervised daily operations in the factory ensuring that all tasks are completed according to schedule.
- Addressed and resolved technical concerns to comply with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
- Developed and implemented process improvements to increase production efficiency.
- Maintained accurate records of all activities related to production engineering.
- Assisted in troubleshooting complex problems associated with the design or function of a product or system.
- Monitored production processes and adjusted schedules.
- Handled root cause analysis, implementing corrective actions when necessary.
- Directed cross-functional teams focused on supplier integration with technological strategies in order to enhance global procurement and materials management efficiency.
- Performed root cause analysis on production issues, developed corrective actions, and monitored results.
- Recommended testing conditions and industry standards to test validity.
- Prepared technical documents including user manuals, installation guides, test protocols.
- Developed and implemented production processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
- Trained personnel in the operation of specialized machinery and best practices for using it safely.
- Monitored production operations to ensure compliance with safety regulations and quality standards.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Updated and maintained databases with current information.
- Conducted system analysis and testing to identify and resolve technical issues or inefficiencies.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
Nelson Mandela University
Port Elizabeth, South Africa04-2007
Skills
- Market research
- Product development
- User experience
- Quality assurance
- Cost reduction
- Project management
- Process optimization
- Lean manufacturing
- Supplier management
- Team collaboration
- Cross-functional team management
- Employee development
- Training and mentoring
- Project management expertise
- Quality assurance testing
- Project planning
- Problem solving
- Lean six sigma
- Kaizen methodology
- 5S methodology
Accomplishments
- I received the Japan Golden Quality Award for best Quality improvement
- Kaizen Team Leader at Volkswagen, Continuous Improvement. Cycle time reduction from 5.5min per cycle to 2.4min per cycle
- Best design award for magnetic ventilation grill.
- Established UL approved Test Lab at Vynco.
Languages
English
Professional
Afrikaans
Professional
Certification
- Green Belt in Sig Sigma
- Volkswagen approved Quality training
- Schneider Electric Internal Training courses.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Product & Technical Manager
Electrical Supply Corp
06.2022 - Current
Production Manager
Formway Design Studio
05.2018 - 05.2022
Head of Mechanical Engineering Department
Vynco Industries
02.2014 - 04.2018
Quality Manager
Vynco Industries
01.2012 - 01.2014
Supply Quality Engineer
Schneider Electric
01.2010 - 01.2012
Production Engineer
Volkswagen South Africa
02.1993 - 12.2009
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
Nelson Mandela University
Similar Profiles
Joshua E. FriedmanJoshua E. Friedman
Purchasing Agent at Gilston Electrical Contracting LLCPurchasing Agent at Gilston Electrical Contracting LLC
Joshua VedaaJoshua Vedaa
Inside Sales Representative at Wesco: Supply Chain, Electrical, and DistributionInside Sales Representative at Wesco: Supply Chain, Electrical, and Distribution
Kyle WhitesellKyle Whitesell
Training Coordinator at City Electrical SupplyTraining Coordinator at City Electrical Supply
Manpreet KaurManpreet Kaur
Reliever at ECE consultantReliever at ECE consultant
Don ZachariasDon Zacharias
Health Care Assistant at Griffins HealthcareHealth Care Assistant at Griffins Healthcare