Behind the Innovation: Production Plant Leadership Crafting Quality Excellence

As the Responsible Pharmacist, she ensures full compliance with GMP and regulatory requirements across all manufacturing and quality operations at the plant. She oversees medicine quality, safety, and legal control; supports audits and inspections; and drives continuous improvement in quality systems. Her role helps safeguard patient safety, reduce quality risks, ensure regulatory adherence, and confirm that all products released from the site meet the highest standards.

Kirsty has a strong interest in optimising manufacturing processes, integrating new pharmaceutical technologies, and driving operational excellence through problem-solving. She has built her career in the pharmaceutical industry working across manufacturing operations, project management, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

At a glance

• In the role of responsible pharmacist since February 2025, following a decade of dedicated service at the site since 2015
• Extensive expertise in aseptic manufacturing, quality systems, compliance management, and cross-functional collaboration
• Enthusiastic about people and leads with a hands-on, collaborative approach

Responsible for managing the finance controlling team, overseeing the budgets, forecasts and actual results for the production unit in Gqeberha. A Chartered Accountant by profession, she completed her articles at one of the major accounting firms. With over 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, she has managed a wide range of finance functions, including tax, accounting reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury, and fixed assets.

Haanim is technically minded with strong problem-solving skills, and she approaches challenges with precision and analytical clarity - essential in finance.

At a glance

• Head of Finance at Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing SA since 1 March 2025
• Holds a BCom Honours degree and is a registered Chartered Accountant (SA)
• Leads her team with empathy and believes that a motivated, supported team is the foundation of sustained success

Sharmila is a seasoned supply chain professional with a strong foundation in finance, which has bolstered her strategic approach to managing supply chain operations. With a customer-focused mindset, she is dedicated to ensuring the timely delivery of critical products to patients. Her expertise includes managing the delicate balance between demand, supply, and the company's broader objectives. Sharmila's experience in sterile manufacturing is extensive, encompassing the startup of new sterile facilities and the successful launch of new products. Her prior roles include key positions at Intramed (now Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing South Africa) and Aspen Pharmacare, where she contributed to operational excellence and innovation.

At a glance

• Supply Chain Manager at Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing South Africa (Since September 2018): Leading supply chain operations for a global pharmaceutical leader, ensuring efficient delivery of critical healthcare products
• Over 25 Years of Experience in Supply Chain Management with a Finance Background: Combining deep financial expertise with supply chain leadership to drive strategic decision-making and cost-effective solutions
• Extensive Expertise in Sterile Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Specialising in managing the complexities of sterile manufacturing environments, including the coordination of production, demand planning, and product delivery within stringent regulatory frameworks

As Operational Excellence Manager at Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing SA, Jaco leads the site’s Operational Excellence agenda, driving continuous improvement, efficiency gains, and long-term operational sustainability in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Jaco cultivates a data-driven culture and promotes cross-functional collaboration to strengthen quality, compliance, and operational discipline – supporting the site’s mission to deliver safe, reliable, high-quality healthcare solutions.

With a proven record of delivering cost reductions, eliminating waste, and improving operational performance, he is skilled in leading cross-functional teams and building high-performance environments grounded in structured processes and disciplined execution.

At a glance

• More than 25 years of experience in operational excellence and large-scale business transformation across pharmaceutical manufacturing and other industries
• Strong expertise in Lean Six Sigma, process optimisation, and organisational change management
• Passionate about embedding continuous improvement through decision making that drives long-term operational and business success

As the Safety, Health, Environment and Risk (SHER) Manager, Fransie protects employees and company assets by maintaining ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001 management systems and strengthening loss-control practices across security, safety, fire protection, emergency response, occupational health/medical, and site services. She also develops, reviews, and aligns site procedures to ensure compliance with current legislation as well as corporate policies and guidelines.

She brings more than 2 decades of SHER experience in large organisations across diverse industries, including manufacturing, agricultural research and development, timber and forestry, mining, and pharmaceuticals, with exposure to both local and international operations.

At a glance

• SHER Manager since July 2018 with 18+ years in leadership roles
• Holds a BTech in Safety Management as well as an MSc in Safety Engineering
• A multi-international award-winning SHER Manager known for being flexible, responsive, and adaptable, as well as detail orientated, highly organised, goal and results-driven

As Production Manager, Ryan oversees the full production lifecycle, ensuring efficient operations and strict adherence to safety standards. He drives accountability by fostering a culture of responsibility, continuous improvement, and quality excellence. His focus is on optimising processes, safeguarding employees, and meeting production objectives without compromising safety or product integrity.

He began his career as a Junior Industrial Engineer in automotive and progressed into senior operations and production leadership roles across automotive, polymers, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and engineering services. He has worked across Sub-Saharan Africa, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the United States of America, leading product launches, continuous improvement programmes, and manufacturing performance and compliance improvements.

At a glance

• Production Manager since December 2025
• 15 years of experience in leadership and management roles
• His passion for engaging individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds shapes his collaborative approach to problem-solving, fostering inclusion and teamwork to develop solutions that are both effective and equitable

As the HR and Organisation Development Manager, Ephraim serves as the HR Business Partner for Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing South Africa leadership team. In partnership with the HR Team, he creates, leads, and delivers a broad range of HR services with a focus on retention, talent management planning, culture, and development. Ephraim has worked for Sumitomo Rubber, Cipla, Tongaat Hulett and other companies before joining Fresenius Kabi.

At a glance

• HR and Organisation Development Manager since October 2022
• Over 15 years of management experience
• Extensive experience in strategic thinking, communication, problem-solving, and employee relations

As the Technical Manager of Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing South Africa, Jeremiah is responsible for the Plant Utility and Automation Services, Energy, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety (EEOHS) Management Systems, Capital Expenditure and Project Management as well as the overall Asset Care Management Systems for the site. Jeremiah holds a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree in Electrical Engineering (NMU) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (MANCOSA) qualification and more than a decades worth of experience in the pharmaceutical industry (Sterile Manufacturing).

At a glance

• Technical Manager – Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing South Africa since November 2023
• Over 22 years experience in Engineering and Project Management
• Over 15 years experience in Pharmaceutical industry (Sterile Manufacturing)