United States Supply Chain

Location:

Dothan, AL

Posted:

November 26, 2024

Contact this candidate

Resume:

Tawanda Masuka

*** ******** *****, ********* ***, Dothan, 36305, Alabama, United States

334-***-****

***************@*****.***

Executive Summary

Experienced executive with an impeccable record in the recycling industry. Set up the first PET recycling plant in Zimbabwe in 2014 as part of the beverage industry strategy to mitigate the risks arising from growing PET pollution. The plant has diverted over 12,000tonnes of plastic bottles from landfills since inception through recycling, directly employed 35 people on average at any point and created income opportunities for over 2,000 marginalized people throughout the country. Volunteered and led the setting up of Association of Zimbabwe Recyclers to lobby government and policy makers on issues effecting the recycling industry.Skilled in strategy formulation and execution, negotiation, operations management, sales management, problem solving, people management, marketing for profit and nonprofit as well as exports market penetration and development. Marketing professional with an MBA from University of Zimbabwe. Clear grasp of issues on business management, circular economy, sustainable development, waste management & recycling, inclusive business, extended producer responsibility (EPR) and self- regulation having worked extensively with various stakeholders within the waste management, recycling and circular economy space across all levels. Follows current affairs, politics, sport and international events. Obsessed with numbers, performance, people and results.

Key Career Achievements

Setting up the first Pet recycling business in Zimbabwe as an EPR vehicle for the beverage industry and activated a national supply chain Eco-system for PET.

Presided over a USD1million Capex budget for the acquisition and commissioning of 2000 tonnes per year capacity PET recycling plant and handled all domestic and cross border transactions subject to regulatory scrutiny.

Applied and secured grant funding from SNV Netherlands in 2014 following a compelling presentation at a sustainability business conference.

Successfully secured free mentor ship study by PUM Netherlands for PetrecoZim with a view of implementing best practice in the industry.

Successfully penetrated landmark export markets and generated export receipts for the business in a country hungry and desperate for foreign currency.

Grew the PET recovery rate from 0% to 20% within 10 years against a moving target and limited funding among other headwinds.

Paid over USD1million to waste pickers over a 10 year period, helping to alleviate poverty in an impoverished country with highest unemployment levels.

Developed, built and positioned the PetrecoZim brand to achieve commendable recognition in both local and international markets.

Developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the business culminating in successful ISO 9001:2009 & 2015 certification since 2016.

Managed to keep the business running throughout the COVID-19 period after successfully convincing government to classify the business as essential services.

Assumed chairmanship of the Association of Zimbabwe Recyclers (AZR) on voluntary basis where I managed to achieve full recycling industry recognition by government through various ministries.

Won national accolades of excellence, notably the 2014 Environment Africa, Environmental Corporate Champion of the year,2015 Zim Trade SME Exporter of the year & 2019 ZAS Overall Winner for Exhibitor showcasing Climate Smart Projects at Harare Agricultural Show.

Convinced the Pepsi Franchise in Zimbabwe (Varun Beverages) to cooperate with the predominantly Coca-Cola system to collectively tackle the PET pollution problem under the PetrecoZim platform.

Managed to cultivate and maintain a cordial industrial relations climate since inception despite local economy upheavals characterized by recurring currency changes, hyperinflation and erosion of disposable incomes. Skills and Competencies

Strategy formulation and execution

Business Negotiation

Sales Management

Export Market development

Exports administration

Business Analysis and Reporting

Marketing Management (including some digital marketing)

People and performance management

Recruitment and talent identification

Board governance and etiquette

Business Presentations

1. Role

Chief Operating Officer - PetrecoZim (Pvt) Ltd

March 2012 to July 2024 (12 years, 4 months)

I had the greatest honour to serve as founding COO of PetrecoZim (Pvt) Ltd, a company established to lead the fight against plastic pollution in the country. This company was set up as compliance vehicle for the beverage industry to address emerging issues and risks around plastic pollution. The business had a non profit mandate but was set up as a private business to instill accountability and performance. Reporting directly to the board, I was ultimately responsible for the overall performance of the business against agreed KPIs.

Launched PET recycling in Zimbabwe through PetrecoZim. Business model design and implementation, including risk profiling, analysis and management

Ensured compliance with all statutory requirements to avoid penalties Designed the organogram and recruited key staff to support business strategy Developed, on annual basis, business strategy and funding plan and ensured execution of the same to meet agreed objectives. Acquired key company assets(recycling plant) and shoulder responsibility for asset care management

Penetrated and developed the export market for PET headlined by China, South Africa, Netherlands, India and Hong Kong contributing to export revenue and earned the business the 2016 Zim-trade SME exporter of the year award.

Instrumental in the incubation and development of domestic end use market, resulting in 20% product uptake in the local market. Facilitate enterprise development in the PET supply chain, creating business opportunities for at least 6 local entrepreneurs in the waste sector.

Created the PetrecoZim brand and promoted it through various media channels to attain correct and positioning in the market.

Crafted the digital marketing and social media strategy and commissioned agency for execution.

Provided leadership in ISO 9001:2009 &2015 certification and recertification resulting in the business achieving export market competitiveness Advised the board on key market and industry developments and table recommendations to grow the business for approval by the board. Attended all board and subcommittee meetings as per board calender and leading the management team in board discussions and resolutions. Ensured that all board resolutions are executed timely and provided feedback to the board on both adhoc and routine issues.

Prepared annual budgets and strategic plans for the business and ensured approval of the same by the board.

Execute Marketing & Stakeholder management (Comprising of regulators, customers, suppliers, government, pressure groups, community etc) to protect the image of the company. Key account management and foreign debtors management to ensure stable cashflows for the business

Managing individual and collective performance using Balanced Score Card system.

Staff motivation, grievance handling, counselling and presiding over disciplinary processes

Participate in key industry and national discussions on relevant platforms and provide input to government for policy formulation Represent the company and shareholders on relevant platforms and forums in the country and the region

Lobbying to government and other bodies to further & protect the interests of the business and stay unfavourable legislation Reporting to the shareholders (board), regulators and other interest groups

2. Role

Interim Board Chair - Association of Zimbabwe Recyclers (AZR) January 2022 to July 2024 (2 Years 6 months)

Actively involved in setting up the Association of Zimbabwe Recyclers (AZR) and nominated in the inaugural board.

Elected interim board chair of AZR to represent the Association on all important platforms and drive the association business as per the constitution.

Finalised the AZR constitution and ensured the adoption of the same by members.

Designed membership fees and annual subscriptions structure that is currently used by the association.

Enforced the membership and subscriptions guidelines and managed to raise initial funding for the association exceeding $1000.

Secured paid up membership of more than 20 members as the interim chair. Represented the recycling industry as the focal person for the plastic waste value chain in the national value chains committee under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Prepared and presented the Position Paper for the Recycling Industry on behalf of the association to the Ministry of Environment through the regulator - Environmental Management Agency.

3. Roles

Operations Controller - National Waste Collection

Business Development Officer

Graduate Trainee

May 2005 to February 2012 (6 Years 9 months)

Ensured consistent supply of raw material (waste paper)to the paper mills and avoided downtime on account of raw material stock out. Maintained sound housekeeping and safety standards at the factory and avoided high risk incidents and accidents such as fire outbreak-thereby protecting life and property.

Managed available resources and ensured over 80% capacity availability to meet collection and production targets in line with budgets Negotiated with raw material suppliers and ensured stable supply of feed stock to guarantee continuity of paper mill operations Managed factory audits from third parties and regulatory agents to ensure compliance and avoid penalties and business interruption. Execution of marketing programmes to ensure positive brand visibility and image and trigger traffic to the business.

Participated in combined group promotional activities to ensure adequate brand representation and visibility at group level. Execution of the door to door campaign to ensure over 90% market coverage in the search and sourcing of sensitive and confidential documents from companies and institutions for recycling.

Identify opportunities for the diversification for new products and channels into the recycling portfolio.

Recruitment and nurturing of interns and training on key business aspects to ensure seamless flow of talent and skills for succession planning. Participate in annual strategy planning workshops, providing key input on behalf of collections and production departments.

Manage and account for the performance of depots and agencies to ensure that individual and collective targets are met consistently. 4. Role.

Graduate Trainee - Amalgamated Motor Corporation (AMC) Pvt Ltd June 2004 to April 2005 (11 Months)

I partly underwent a structured 2 year internship programme and covered the following areas:-

New vehicle sales

Parts sales

Tracking of workshop customers

Customer satisfaction surveys

Exhibitions to promote brand and new models

New vehicles import administration

Service advisor to workshop customers

Bill estimation and communication of issues

Management of service booking system