Eng. Dr John K. Ndonji
Chongwe,Lusaka Province
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in industrial project management and agro-industrial manufacturing. Proven success in capital project planning, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing initiatives. Skilled in managing refinery operations, environmental engineering, and wastewater treatment processes. Proficient in biofuels development, SHEQ systems, and strategic industrial development, with strong capabilities in stakeholder management and workforce leadership.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work history
Managing Director
JNK Industries Ltd
2015.01 - 2026.05
- Founded and managed a multidisciplinary industrial development and technology business focused on agro-processing, bio-based products, industrial process development, and renewable energy concepts.
- Led development initiatives for Moringa-based nutritional and food supplement products.
- Participated in development of Biolatem production concepts from molasses-based systems.
- Conducted feasibility evaluations for agro-processing and renewable energy projects.
- Provided technical and industrial process development input for bio-based manufacturing opportunities.
- Key Areas of Work
Chief Technical Officer
Kamil Energy
2016.01 - 2022.01
- Served as Chief Technical Officer during planning and feasibility stages of a proposed vertically integrated bioethanol production project in Luapula Province.
- Led technical input and engineering evaluations during project feasibility development.
- Contributed to process engineering assessments, plant configuration concepts, infrastructure evaluations, and industrial integration studies.
- Supported multidisciplinary planning activities for large-scale agro-industrial energy development.
- Participated in strategic development discussions relating to feedstock integration and renewable energy systems.
- Feasibility & Planning Phase – USD 200 Million Bioethanol Project
- Key Contributions
Senior Assistant Production Manager
Zambia Sugar Plc (Illovo Sugar / ABF Group)
2009.01 - 2015.01
- Held senior operational leadership responsibilities across refinery, packaging, rawhouse, process quality systems, laboratory management, environmental systems, continuous improvement programmes, and agricultural stakeholder engagement.
- Managed packaging and specials plant operations with responsibility for more than 200 employees.
- Led operational transformation and continuous improvement programmes that significantly improved packaging throughput and operational efficiency.
- Delivered record-breaking packaging plant performance recognised within the ABF Group manufacturing network, with the Packaging Plant receiving recognition as one of the best-performing and most efficient operations within the Group through sustained continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
- Successfully completed the annual packaging production programme approximately five weeks ahead of schedule, representing an estimated 15–17% effective throughput improvement while optimising seasonal labour utilisation and reducing operational cycle time.
- Developed and managed packaging material procurement schedules to optimise inventory management and operational continuity.
- Oversaw production of specialty sugar products including syrups, castor sugar, and icing sugar.
- Worked across refinery operations, rawhouse support systems, and broader factory production activities.
- Performed factory standby responsibilities including night operational management and troubleshooting support during critical production periods.
- Participated in factory production management, process optimisation, and operational troubleshooting assignments.
- Managed factory quality control systems including Process Laboratory, Cane Testing Laboratory, and Environmental Laboratory operations.
- Oversaw sugar production monitoring, process quality control systems, and production accounting.
- Managed factory weighbridge operations and analytical scale systems.
- Coordinated factory effluent treatment and environmental compliance activities to meet statutory and environmental requirements.
- Led initiatives for water conservation and wastewater minimisation.
- Played an active role within SHEQ implementation and continuous improvement systems.
- Managed external stakeholder relationships through regular engagement meetings with outgrower farmers supplying sugar cane.
- Supported transparency and collaborative quality management between factory operations and agricultural suppliers.
- Assisted agricultural operations in identifying technical solutions to remove biofilm blockages from irrigation pipe systems, improving irrigation efficiency and water distribution.
- Participated as a key local technical contributor in planning activities for the Zambia Sugar refinery expansion project.
- Worked closely with Bosch Projects during feasibility evaluations, engineering planning discussions, and project integration activities.
- Participated in multidisciplinary planning and feasibility discussions for proposed integrated bioethanol production projects.
- Contributed operational and process engineering insight regarding integration of proposed energy systems into existing factory infrastructure.
- Key Leadership & Operational Achievements
- Packaging & Specials Plant Leadership
- Refinery, Rawhouse & Factory Operations
- Process Quality, Laboratory & Environmental Management
- Agricultural & Stakeholder Engagement
- Capital Projects & Strategic Development
Biodiesel Operations & R&D Manager
Evergreen Energy Ltd
Essex
2009.01 - 2009.01
- Managed biodiesel production operations and process performance activities.
- Led production troubleshooting, process optimisation, R&D coordination, budgeting, and operational reporting.
- Supervised recruitment and coordination of research and development personnel.
Biodiesel Project Manager
Bico Sprl
2007.01 - 2008.01
- Managed development and implementation of biodiesel production project using palm oil methyl ester technology.
- Led process design coordination, procurement activities, project implementation, commissioning, and operational startup.
- Conducted environmental impact assessment activities associated with biodiesel production operations.
- Successfully established one of the first small-to-medium-scale commercial biodiesel plants in Central Congo.
Visiting Scientist
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH)
Wallingford
2002.01 - 2006.01
- Worked on advanced wastewater treatment technologies focused on development of systems for removal of pharmaceuticals, steroid estrogens, and endocrine-disrupting compounds from wastewater.
- Activated sludge process adaptation
- Pharmaceutical removal from wastewater
- Pilot-scale wastewater treatment systems
- Environmental process engineering
- Research coordination between CEH and University of Oxford
- Key Areas
Research Engineer
INRS
Quebec
2000.01 - 2001.01
- Worked on biohydrometallurgical technologies for recovery of copper, cobalt, and precious metals from mine tailings and mine wastewater systems.
- Bioleaching technologies
- Copper and Cobalt recovery
- Precious metal extraction systems
- Adaptation of bioleaching microorganisms
- Mine wastewater treatment
- Key Areas
Research Engineer
Helsinki University of Technology
2000.01 - 2000.01
- Conducted feasibility studies and process development work related to biohydrometallurgy and environmental mining technologies.
- Biohydrometallurgy process design
- Precious metals recover from mine tailings
- Environmental impact assessment
- Bioleaching process feasibility studies
- Copper, cobalt, and gold extraction systems
- Key Areas
Research Scientist
Folkhasan Research Center
Helsinki
1997.01 - 1998.01
- Worked in clinical chemistry and analytical process development focused on extraction methods for phytoestrogens and steroid compounds from biological fluids.
- Clinical chemistry research
- Phytoestrogen extraction methods
- GC/MS analytical systems
- Biological fluid analysis
- Experimental method development
- Key Areas
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) - Engineering Science
University of Oxford (Keble College)
United KingdomCertificate - Business Studies
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Licentiate of Science in Technology (Lic.Sc. Tech) - Environmental Engineering
Helsinki University of Technology
FinlandMSc - Biotechnology Engineering – Food Processing
Technical University of Gdansk
PolandSkills
- Industrial Project Management & Feasibility Studies
- Agro-Industrial Manufacturing Operations
- Process Engineering & Process Optimisation
- Capital Projects Planning & EPC Coordination
- Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing
- Refinery & Sugar Manufacturing Operations
- Environmental Engineering & Wastewater Treatment
- Biofuels & Renewable Energy Systems
- Bioethanol & Biodiesel Process Development
- SHEQ Systems & Environmental Compliance
- Industrial Laboratory Management
- Mining & Biohydrometallurgy Technologies
- Stakeholder & Outgrower Management
- Workforce Leadership & Performance Management
- Budgeting, Planning & Operational Control
- Strategic Industrial Development
LANGUAGES
English, French, Polish
Fluent
Finnish
Intermediate
Affiliations
- Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ)
- EIZ Registration No. SMENG2021018365
AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS
- First Prize Award – Best Research Presentation
- IChemE FSPG, London, UK
- Doctoral Studentship Award – University of Oxford, UK
- National Outstanding Mathematics Student of Zambia Award (JETS)
- Technical University of Gdansk Scholarship Award – Poland
Timeline
Chief Technical Officer
Kamil Energy
2016.01 - 2022.01
Managing Director
JNK Industries Ltd
2015.01 - 2026.05
Senior Assistant Production Manager
Zambia Sugar Plc (Illovo Sugar / ABF Group)
2009.01 - 2015.01
Biodiesel Operations & R&D Manager
Evergreen Energy Ltd
2009.01 - 2009.01
Biodiesel Project Manager
Bico Sprl
2007.01 - 2008.01
Visiting Scientist
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH)
2002.01 - 2006.01
Research Engineer
INRS
2000.01 - 2001.01
Research Engineer
Helsinki University of Technology
2000.01 - 2000.01
Research Scientist
Folkhasan Research Center
1997.01 - 1998.01
Certificate - Business Studies
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Licentiate of Science in Technology (Lic.Sc. Tech) - Environmental Engineering
Helsinki University of Technology
MSc - Biotechnology Engineering – Food Processing
Technical University of Gdansk
Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) - Engineering Science
University of Oxford (Keble College)