Yolandi Koch
Lusaka
Summary
I spearheaded innovative solutions at Metson Manufaturing, enhancing productivity and streamlining processes. My expertise in analytical thinking and problem-solving, coupled with effective people management, drove significant business development and operational improvements. I am a dedicated professional that brings comprehensive knowledge of production and technical operations, with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director
Hambwezya And Lombard Farms Limited
Mwembeshi, Lusaka
09.2022 - Current
- Worked closely with other Directors to guide operational strategy, on both a feedlot and dairy operation.
- Focused on continuous improvement of both feedlot, and dairy operations.
- Implementing internal controls by creating policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Setting ongoing performance goals, and providing feedback for all separate business cost centres.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
R&D Biological Project Controller
Metson Manufacturing
Fairland
01.2021 - 08.2022
- Research and development of all biological products, from the initial concept to the
final product. - Fermentation of microbes, both in liquid and solid state.
- Procurement of all laboratory equipment.
- Procurement of all production equipment in order to scale up the laboratory processes to commercial production volumes.
- Laboratory housekeeping, and writing of all protocols and procedures used.
- Document control.
- Quality control on all products produced, and third-party products received.
- Development of the quality control systems (QMS) and the implementation thereof.
- Assisting in the registration process of these biological products at the Department of
Agriculture, Land reform and Rural development which is governed by Act 36 of 1947. - Compiling of technical and marketing material on all projects.
Quality Control Analyst
Donald Brown Group Of Companies
Upington
10.2018 - 09.2020
- Conducted root cause analysis for recurring issues, developing long-term solutions to prevent recurrence.
- Inspected raw materials and finished products to verify quality, and disposed items that did not meet food safety standard requirements.
- Improved overall production efficiency by identifying and resolving quality control issues.
- Drive the Health and Safety system of all the factories and office. (ISO 45000)
- Daily production sheets for all areas.
- Food Safety implementation, audits and questionnaires. (HACCP, FSSC and ISO
standards) - General enquiries from clients and potential clients, and new registrations of feed grade salt. (Act 36 of 1947 – Fertilizers, farm feeds, Agricultural and stock remedies)
- Procurement of all laboratory consumables and PPE.
- Hygiene of facility.
Production and Laboratory Manager
ABM Africa
Lichtenburg
06.2017 - 08.2018
- Production of various biological products.
- Fermentation of micro-organisms.
- Formulating, and blending these microbes into biological agricultural products with a stable shelf life.
- Ensuring all quality, and safety control measures in both the production facility as well as in the laboratory are met.
- Managing the production forecast for all seasons and crops.
- Record keeping of all relevant data.
- Compilation of all production, costing and sales reports.
- Budgets for production and laboratory, to effectivity reduce, and keep track of all costs.
- Quality controls on all actives and finished products.
- Laboratory protocols (dilution plating, preparing of agar plates, buffers, external protocols etc.)
- Improved laboratory efficiency by streamlining workflows, and implementing standard operating procedures.
- Managing and training of all staff in production facility and laboratory.
- Procurement of all production raw materials, packaging materials and laboratory consumables.
- Assisting in the design of packaging and marketing material.
- Assisting the Marketing Manager on training for all field agents.
- Assisting in the process of the registration of new developed products. (Act 36 of 1947 – Fertilizers, farm feeds, Agricultural and stock remedies)
Technical Advisor and Orders
ABM Africa
Lichtenburg
03.2013 - 05.2017
- Training of field agents on the technical aspects of all product offerings.
- Designing of marketing material.
- Data collection of field trials, for both marketing and registration purposes.
- Assisting in registrations of all products. (Act 36 of 1947 – Fertilizers, farm feeds, Agricultural and stock remedies)
- Handling of all orders from farmers, agents and distributors from South Africa, Zambia, USA and other countries.
- All invoicing, debtors, creditors and stock control.
- All data and administrative duties within company.
- Organization of training sessions, Nampo Harvest Day and farmer training days.
- Served as primary point of contact for technical issues.
Assistant Manager: Hatchery
NWK Opti Chicks
Lichtenburg
10.2009 - 02.2013
- Running of all production aspects of the hatchery on a daily basis (processing of daily hatching chicks, vaccination programs, logistics on orders, setting of eggs, candling of eggs, receiving eggs from lay farm etc.)
- Forecasts for placement of hatching eggs to ensure the correct number of day-old broiler chicks per day.
- Control of all stock in the hatchery.
- Supervise 45 general workers and handle all personnel related queries.
- Dealt with any eventuality within the hatchery.
- Compile production reports.
- Daily communication with farm and administrative office.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized environment.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Zoology, Botany And Tourism
North West University
PotchefstroomHigh School Diploma -
Lichtenburg Highschool
Lichtenburg12.2005
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
- Operations Management
- Analytical thinking
- Problem solving
Certification
- AVCASA Crop Health Training
- Health and Safety Training
- RE:engage - Workplace productivity
- Field Guide Training - FGASA Level 1
Languages
Afrikaans
Native language
English
Advanced
C1
Timeline
Director
Hambwezya And Lombard Farms Limited
09.2022 - Current
R&D Biological Project Controller
Metson Manufacturing
01.2021 - 08.2022
Quality Control Analyst
Donald Brown Group Of Companies
10.2018 - 09.2020
Production and Laboratory Manager
ABM Africa
06.2017 - 08.2018
Technical Advisor and Orders
ABM Africa
03.2013 - 05.2017
Assistant Manager: Hatchery
NWK Opti Chicks
10.2009 - 02.2013
Bachelor of Science - Zoology, Botany And Tourism
North West University
High School Diploma -
Lichtenburg Highschool