Jacques de la Querra - WIZBII Jacques de la Querra has published his/her professional profile on WIZBII. J d

Jacques de la Querra

Quality Lead Engineer (and Site Manager as from 15/12/2017)

48years • Edenvale

Summary

I am a motivated person, always striving to achieve my goals, and generally exceed those set for me. I thrive on a challenge and I am in my element when I’m in a position with high responsibilities.

Skills

Project PlanningProblem SolvingPeople Management

Experiences

Quality Lead Engineer (and Site Manager as from 15/12/2017)

02-2017 - NowInfra / Networks / TelecomFollowing the successful closure of the Panel Manufacturing Facility, I was asked to take the lead on all things quality related on site. My key focus areas are: adherence to procedures, supported by accurate documentation; RCA’s for all identified deviations from specifications; create and implement procedures that will support compliance through containment, corrective and preventative actions both at the suppliers and the site. I was also asked to take over the Site Management responsibilities, effectively from 15th December 2017, until the project is closed out and handed over to our client.

Production Manager

11-2013 - 02-2017 Design / Civil engineering / Industrial engineeringI was approached to apply for this exciting opportunity: to be part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project in South Africa. The position required experience in production as well as project management to make a success of the work that lay ahead. It’s not often that a position as challenging and interesting as this comes along, so naturally I grabbed it with both hands. In short, I had to set up a facility (the first of its kind in South Africa) capable of producing the Main Reflector Panels for the MeerKAT Radio Telescope Antennas. With quality and schedule being the main drivers for the project, the challenge was first to design a facility; kit it and make sure the skills transfer (from our international partners) was successful. The entire operation fell under my control; which meant managing over 50 employees running two shifts as well as making sure we keep on target and produce products of exceptional quality. Product and process development, optimisation and improvements were day-to-day occurrences. We’ve made great improvements; learnt a tremendous amount and empowered many of our employees with new skill sets. This facility was one of the best performing fabricators of the SKA MeerKAT components – completing the full order quantity ahead of all the other suppliers.

Project Manager

03-2011 - 10-2013 Project / Product managementI was approached by a recruitment agent for Synergised Engineering Technologies (Synntech) with a request to join their Project Management Office in Hotazel (Northern Cape). Synntech specialises in providing Project Teams to the mining and construction industries. In this case we were contracted to BHP Billiton’s Manganese mining operations near Hotazel. In my time with Synntech I worked at the PMO’s in Hotazel, Wessels Mine and Metalloys (Manganese smelting operation outside Meyerton). I managed a number of projects, but was soon given many of the larger engineering projects which focused on Regulatory Compliance, i.e. environmental and process improvement projects. These projects required careful stakeholder expectation management. The project budgets were generally in the region of R200-400mio because of the large scope and impact that these projects had on the environment and the facility’s long-term future. I thoroughly enjoyed working in BHP Billiton’s PMO’s since they diligently applied proper Project Management Principles throughout every phase of a project. Stakeholders embraced their roles and responsibilities which made project scoping much less difficult. Executing the project was made much simpler because the preparation and planning phases explored all possible solutions and scenarios. Some of the projects I worked on include: Wessels Manganese Mine: • Light masts for surface loading area as well as various other small projects. MOZAL (Mozambique): • Offices, Ablutions and Canteen Refurbishment – supply logistics (RSA to Mozambique); project expenditure management; quality control. Samancor Manganese – Metalloys: • Repair and upgrade of a 145ton Side Arm Reclaimer’s rail infrastructure. • Project Development; Concept Design and Feasibility Studies for a ±100,000m³ Reclaimable Sludge (Tar) Dam with a Related Mixing Facility. • Project Development; Concept Design and Feasibility Studies for the upgrade of a ±270,000m³ Storm Water Dam with related Storm Water Management Infrastructure (Channels, First Flush Tanks, Water Filtration and Treatment Facilities, Silt Traps, etc.) to contain a 1-in-50-year Storm Event.

Maintenance Manager

04-2010 - 02-2011 Infra / Networks / TelecomSelmec is a company who provides specialised maintenance solutions for some of the major communications providers in South Africa and Mozambique. This was a new field for me and the position was a challenging one initially. I managed the maintenance operations of a national telecommunications infrastructure. I was directly responsible for the Johannesburg office as well as the satellite offices in Durban and Cape Town and the technicians in other key towns and cities.

Project Manager

07-2008 - 02-2010 Works / Construction sitesI initially joined Group Five as a Project Engineer primarily responsible for increasing the plant’s production output and reducing our operating costs. Within a short space of time the factory’s output nearly doubled (from 150ton to almost 300tons of structural steel components per month. In March 2009 I was promoted to Project Manager and immediately thrown into the deep end on a struggling project: Johannesburg Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System. Our facility was responsible for the manufacturing of the Façade Steel Structures of Phase 1A (which included the first 45 Bus Station Modules). The first module took 24 working days to fabricate. Through making design change suggestions; fabrication sequence and method changes; component flow improvements; designing jigs and better planning I reduced the overall manufacturing time to about 48hrs. I also managed the site teams and contractors; liaised with structural engineers, the client, architects and other managers and engineers to make sure the project is a success. I was nominated for an award for my work done on this project. Some of the other projects I worked on include: - University of Johannesburg: Roof Structures of the new buildings in their Soweto Campus. - Nedbank building (Sandton): Atrium roof and Façade Steel. - DMO Coal Mine (Middelburg): Structural Steel for new buildings and workshops. - Olifantspoort Water Treatment Works: Staircases, Cat ladders and Floor Grating.

Project Manager and HSE Co-ordinator

04-2008 - 07-2008 Project / Product managementThe first time I worked with 3CMetal was in 2006 as an Engineering Assistant. I worked there whilst waiting for my UK Visa’s approval. Belmet Marine employed me on a contract basis to assist 3CMetal with the completion of their section of an engineering project for PetroSA and SubSea7: Valve Stations for ocean surface placement. During my time there I worked with a French Project Manager, who then put my name forward to take over from him when I returned from the UK 1.5years later. I was contracted to complete the refurbishment and manufacturing of a Deep Sea Drilling Vessel’s drill pipes, pumps and valves.

Group Manager

04-2007 - 03-2008 Design / Civil engineering / Industrial engineeringJeld-Wen UK is based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and focuses on high speed high volume commercial and residential doors. I managed the production through the Assembly and Pressing Plant, which had 5 production lines running continuously over three shifts per day.

Education & training

University of Johannesburg

2013 - 2014 City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, South AfricaDesign / Civil engineering / Industrial engineering

My soft skills

Independent
Persevering
Thorough
Analytical

Languages spoken

  • English

    Native language

  • Afrikaans

    Native language

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