Lenie Potgieter Minstr
Senior Research and Development Manager @Smith\'s Ep Uk
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WORK HISTORY
Senior Research and Development Manager @Smith\'s Ep Uk
South Woodham Ferrers, GB
Create strategic roadmaps and presentations for the Board, leading a team of 4 and matrix-managing a further 10 reporting to the MD. Identify and define the project scope, and guide the team to achieve optimal design outcomes. Liaise with a broad stakeholder group to support product focus, scope and budget. Key Achievements: Delivered improvement to the commercial fan convector range, resulting in an average of 20% improvement across the range, which supported a 50% increase in sales. Actively improved the relationship between Sales and R&D, facilitating improved product outcomes.
EDUCATION
North West University Potchefstroom Campus
Bachelor's degree, Mechanical Engineering
ABOUT LENIE POTGIETER MINSTR
I am a Technical Manager, Strategic Project Leader and refrigeration SME with significant experience across a range of roles in the UK and South Africa. I specialise in strategically leading engineering, operations and new product introductions internationally, delivering innovative, compliant and cost-effective products while driving operational excellence and sustainable business growth.My expertise encompasses delivering complex NPI / NPD projects end-to-end, from concept to launch, and strategically leading operations and engineering teams of up to 30. I consistently improve delivery performance. Compliance, QMS and regulatory standards, which are embedded into every project, and my stakeholder and network management spans from the frontline to the BoardroomA few of my career achievements: As Project Lead, I converted a freezer range to hydrocarbon refrigerant during COVID, producing risk analysis and ROI forecasts to secure buy-in. I managed modular redesign, international supplier collaboration and remote prototyping, delivering the only on-time and budget project during pandemic. I created a new warm water heating department, designing solutions, sourcing suppliers and recruiting a 3-person team. Across this project, I oversaw site planning, safety files and commissioning, negotiated a payment schedule and secured repeat projects, building a 1.5-year pipeline within 3 months. I developed a CO₂ commercial heat pump range from scratch, selecting suppliers and components, leading prototyping, drawings, testing and programming. I delivered 4 units that produce 80°C heat for commercial and light industrial use, enabling the company\'s diversification into the heating and natural refrigerant markets.As a skilled leader and individual contributor, I am focused on creating measurable long-term value through strategic project leadership, operational excellence, and effective stakeholder engagement.Specialties: NPI / NPD Project Leadership Engineering & Product Development Strategy Operations & Process Improvement ISO 9001 / QMS / Regulatory Compliance Agile / Scrum Master KPI & Performance Management Cross-Functional Team Management Customer-Focused Innovation Data Analysis & Technical Problem Solving Budgetary Control & Cost Reduction Stakeholder Engagement / Management Organisational Growth & Change Management
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