Neelesh Amaidas

NEELESH AMAIDAS | Midrand, South Africa, 1685 | +27 81 - |-| https://www.linkedin.com/in/neeleshamaidas | SUPPLY CHAIN & PROCUREMENT EXECUTIVE Strategic and results-driven executive with over 20 years of global experience in end-to-end supply chain, procurement, and operations leadership. Proven ability to develop and execute integrated supply chain and procurement strategies that drive operational excellence, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and sustainable value creation. Extensive experience in digital transformation, supplier relationship management, compliance, and talent development. Recognized for building high-performing teams, leading complex changes, and delivering measurable results in dynamic, multinational environments. CORE COMPETENCIEs Global Supply Chain Strategy & Execution Distribution & Transportation Procurement & Strategic Sourcing Regulatory Compliance & Governance Category management & Cost Reduction Sustainability & ESG Initiatives Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Cross-Functional Stakeholder Engagement Supply Chain Risk Management Talent Development & Team Leadership Systems Engineering and Digitisation Data Analytics & Performance Management Inventory Management & Materials Management Continuous improvement (Lean Six Sigma) PROFESSIONAL experiencE General Manager, Remanufacturing (REMAN) Komatsu Africa Holdings (KAfH) South Africa | 07/2023 – Present Developed and implemented (in process) a three-year business strategy, aligning with global objectives and driving operational excellence across the division. Leading a 107-person team, including seven senior managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation. Implemented ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, achieving certification and driving continuous improvement in quality and environmental management systems, achieved 560+ days without Lost Time Injury, 800% increase in near-miss reporting, achieved Komatsu global awards for safety, quality, and sustainability initiatives. Implemented a dedicated Work-In-Progress (WIP) area with SAP-enabled bin tracking within warehouse to improve production efficiency. Implemented SAP-compatible forecasting and production planning tools, increasing warehouse utilization from 62% to 85% and automating inventory replenishment. Leveraged Remanufacturing Information Management System (RIMS) to monitor supplier performance and quickly resolve bottlenecks. Negotiated improved supplier contracts, reduced lead times, and enhanced supply chain agility through risk management and supplier rationalisation. Led sustainability initiatives, including zero-effluent water separation and solar energy projects, supporting ESG objectives. Built strong stakeholder relationships, representing the division at industry events and forums. Program Lead, Supply Chain Transformation Anglo American (Kumba Iron Ore) | 05/2018 – 12/2022 Led the “Buy Better Spend Better” procurement strategy for a R20bn spend portfolio, delivering ZAR680m in cumulative EBITDA savings over four years. Developed a procurement client service framework (PCSF), to elicit business objectives, formalise customer requirements, negotiate internal SLAs with internal customers and agree prioritise priorities with executives. Managed 30+ sourcing initiatives in parallel, driving cost reduction, supplier development, and compliance with BB-BEE and Mining Charter requirements including social and labour plan (SLP) and procurement targets. Workshop savings opportunities with functional executives, finance, supply chain, production and logistics, constructed business case for each savings opportunity. Cost reduction - demand and supply analytics, conduct spend vs. cost analytics, prioritise categories for intervention, map high level value chain, syndicate value drivers with clients, qualify and isolate value delivery levers encompassing process improvements, technology, innovation, headcount optimisation, contractor performance management and collaboration. Advocate and secure C-suite buy-in and approvals for implementation of continuous improvement/ transformation initiatives. Reduced procurement turnaround through data-driven insights, and adoption of people, process, technology interventions. Reported progress and value delivery to executive committees and cost focus steering committees. Entrepreneur & Director Arcurion Projects | 01/2015 – 06/2018 Founded and managed a residential construction business, overseeing procurement, project delivery, and cash management. Streamlined supplier coordination, optimised budgets, and implemented sustainable building practices. Achieved high customer satisfaction through quality, on-time, and on-budget project delivery. Chief Director, Public Enterprises (Transnet SOC Ltd) Department of Public Enterprises | 05/2009 – 12/2014 Led shareholder oversight, strategic intent, and performance compacts for Transnet SOC Ltd, driving national logistics infrastructure strategies and policy frameworks. Shareholder KPI framework, Design and implement performance Compact with Transnet Board of Directors viz. King III sustainability guidelines, operational KPIs (productivity, asset utilization, service reliability), financial KPIs (Revenue, Return on Assets, Cash interest cover, Gearing, OPEX, tariffs), Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) KPIs (schedule performance, cost performance, preferential procurement, local content), Environmental KPIs (carbon emmisions, energy savings), Corporate Social Investment KPIs (skills development, job creation), quarterly reporting. Managed CAPEX feasibility for major transport infrastructure projects (ZAR 300bn+) and implemented supplier development policies. Systems and software engineering, Defined and developed business requirement specifications for freight corridor supply chain intelligence software, functional and non-functional requirements, KPI framework and configuration management methodology. Developed and rolled out the National Corridor Performance Management (NCPM) system, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement across national freight corridors. Procurement, developed internal RFP and RFQ documentation, lead briefing sessions with potential suppliers, chair tender committee, lead contract negotiation and sign-off, contract management, addenda, supplier performance monitoring and evaluation, risk management. Project management, PMBOK methodology, establish Project Management Office (PMO), manage full software acquisition (ZAR 20mil), project budget, activity plan, resource loading, quality control, acceptance testing, successful project execution (on time and under budget). Supplier development, assist in developing Supplier Development Policy (SDP) and guidelines for SOCs in compliance with legislative environment (BB-BEE, PPPFA, PFMA). Chaired and participated in multiple national steering committees and technical forums. Supply Chain Business Development Partner Volvo Cars SA | 02/2007 – 04/2009 On time, under budget program management of warehouse relocation project to Rosslyn Automotive Supplier Park, Improved aftermarket sales revenue (+8% YoY), profitability (+3% YoY), OTIF (+40%), reduced outbound lead times (6%), reduced inventory levels (8%), increased inventory turns (7 to 8), liquidation of R2million obsolete inventory, Managed aftermarket P&L, competitor analyses, price benchmarking, pricing ±160 000 parts and accessories. Achieved 8% YoY sales growth, 3% profitability increase, 40% OTIF improvement, and significant inventory reductions. Led procurement policy implementation, supplier negotiations, and contract management. Inventory management, drive financial audit compliance procedures, establish perpetual, periodic count protocols, DMAIC stock outs, reduce inbound lead times, recalibrate re-order and safety stock parameters. Procurement, Lead implementation of procurement policy and procedure, portfolio spend analysis, develop strategic sourcing strategies, contract with local suppliers as per sourcing plan, drive operational effectiveness of procurement department, ensure compliance with audit procedures. Contract management, Negotiate service level agreement (SLA’s) with preferred suppliers, periodically review terms and conditions, monitor contracted suppliers (Quality of service, total cost and pricing as per SLA), phase out suppliers with poor service records. Governance and compliance, Responsible for ensuring compliance with all warehousing policies including delegations and responsibilities, reciepts, inventory controls, dispatch, returns, disposals, health and safety. Summary of Earlier Roles Senior Consultant Strategy Innovation & Operations (SIO) Deloitte Consulting Lead consultant for supply chain improvement projects for clients in mining, manufacturing, and utilities sectors. Mapped and prioritized supply chain challenges for Nampak, driving targeted process improvements. Conducted indirect spend analysis for Sasol, identifying actionable cost savings opportunities. Quantified potential savings for Eskom by centralizing warehousing and fleet management. Redesigned internal support processes, securing approval and implementation for enhanced efficiency. Deputy Director – Logistics Infrastructure Trade and Investment South Africa Developed a freight corridor performance measurement methodology, enabling data-driven logistics collaboration and co-investment decisions. Managed procurement projects as project manager, including RFQ preparation, tender adjudication, and contract negotiations with preferred suppliers. Industrial Engineering Consultant Logistics and Technology Solutions (LTS) Consulting Built and maintained a supplier performance database for medical suppliers, supporting improved supplier management. For Nashua SA, achieved a 9% reduction in average order processing time, a 10% improvement in OTIF deliveries, and reduced returns. Identified shared infrastructure collaboration opportunities for export manganese operations. Quantified the revenue impact of stockouts for Sony Music SA and provided recommendations to reduce obsolete inventory. Mapped and reengineered plant processes for FMCG client Fresh-4-U, addressing operational constraints and improving efficiency. Conducted acceptance testing and evaluation for an automated DNA sampling system. Systems Engineering Consultant Gennan Systems Rooikat weapon system MRO, delivered a 10% reduction in stock-outs, 11% reduction in warehoused inventories, improved inventory turns from 3 to 5, and reduced inventory holding costs by 15%. Evaluated operational environments and defined system functional parameters and acceptance criteria for engineering projects. EDUCATION GORDON INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS SCIENCE Master of Business Administration Leadership, Strategy, Strategic implementation, Finance, Innovation and Technology GORDON INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS SCIENCE Post Graduate Diploma in General Management Finance, Statistics, Operations research, Human resource management, Marketing, Economics UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Master Programme in Supply Chain Management Strategic supply chain management, Strategic sourcing, Procurement, Contract and contractor management, Logistics, Inventory management UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Industrial Engineering Business architecture, Business engineering, Business logistics, Engineering logistics, Integrated logistics, Operations research, Numerical methods, Project management UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Mathematics, Thermodynamics, Structural mechanics, Fluid mechanics PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS INTERNATIONAL SIX SIGMA INSTITUTE CSSBB - Certified Six Sigma Black Belt CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY (CIPS) MCIPS - Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply EUROPEAN LOGISTICS ASSOCIATION (ELA) EM Log - European Master Logistician CONTINUED EDUCATION GIBS Certificate in Finance Legislative, Institutional and Regulatory Frameworks for Public-Private Partnerships Financial management for Non-Financial Managers Project Finance Strategic Leadership Georgia Tech Institute - Warehouse Management Gustav de Monie - International Port Operations Optimal Demand and Supply Chains Systems and Software Engineering Systems Management and Specification Practises Leadership & AffiliationS Program Lead – Anglo American Buy Better Spend Better Chairperson of the DPE National Rail Policy Steering Committee Chairperson of DPE/Transnet Technical Steering Committee Member of DPE/Transnet Executive Steering Committee Chairperson of DPE Select Tender Committee Member of USAID/SADC Logistics Integration Project Member of Johannesburg Metro Freight Logistics Steering Committee Additional Information Committed to sustainability within the supply chain Engaging leader with an empowered mindset, effective communication and a thorough understanding of stakeholder management, team dynamics and individual performance. Leadership style particularly effective in complex and rapidly changing environments, where the need to build coherent and motivated teams is critical to success.