Open to opportunities

Samantha Panday

@samjgm5

Message

Results-driven operations leader with 20+ years optimizing multi-site facilities and logistics.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I am seeking a senior operations role where I can lead multi-site facilities, improve processes, manage procurement/logistics, and mentor teams in a safety-focused, growth-oriented organization.

I am a results-driven operations leader with over 20 years of progressive experience managing complex facilities, logistics, procurement, and project operations across multiple industries. I specialize in multi-site operations management, process optimization, and building high-performing operational frameworks that drive measurable improvements in efficiency and compliance.

Throughout my career I have led end-to-end procurement and inventory systems, overseen large-scale facilities programs across dozens of sites, and managed payroll, export certification, and project logistics for specialized maritime and packhouse operations. I have a proven record of delivering projects on time and on budget, developing policies adopted nationally, and implementing systems that reduce costs and improve operational accuracy.

I am committed to operational excellence, health & safety compliance, and people development, with hands-on experience in vendor management, quality systems (ISO 9001/14001), and staff training. I bring strategic problem-solving, clear stakeholder communication, and a practical, process-driven approach to help organizations scale and sustain reliable operations.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Buyer - Coega Packing

Current

Coega Packing

Jan 2025 - Present (1 year)

Lead procurement and inventory management for a citrus packhouse, implementing a new stock system and SOPs to improve accuracy and ensure compliance with client specifications and audit standards.

Procurement Inventory Management SOP Development Quality Control Vendor Management Health & Safety Reporting

Administrative Operations Coordinator

Perishable Products Export Control Board

Apr 2024 - Oct 2024 (6 months)

Supported export certification operations, coordinated weekly payroll for 230 seasonal staff, and managed invoicing and document audits to maintain regulatory compliance during peak export season.

Export Certificates Payroll Management Document Control Invoicing Regulatory Compliance

Project Coordinator

Transocean

Jun 2023 - Sep 2023 (3 months)

Coordinated logistics, procurement, vendor relations, and crew rotations for the Deepwater Orion Reactivation Project, supporting invoice verification and project reporting to meet timelines and budget controls.

Project Coordination Logistics Procurement Vendor Management Crew Management Report Preparation

Facilities Operations Supervisor

MTN

Aug 2015 - Jun 2022 (6 years 10 months)

Managed facilities operations across 32 regional sites, leading preventative maintenance, health & safety compliance, contractor management, and capital projects to improve efficiency and ensure 100% regulatory compliance.

Facilities Management Contractor Management Health & Safety Project Management Vendor Relations Procurement Compliance

Regional Depot Supervisor

MTN South Africa

Jun 2007 - Dec 2014 (7 years 6 months)

Led regional depot operations across the Eastern Cape, implementing ERP-based forecasting and national policies that improved inventory accuracy and achieved depot KPI targets.

Inventory Control ERP Systems Forecasting Policy Development Team Leadership Audit Management Budgeting Training

Distribution Operations Controller

Distell

Oct 2003 - Jun 2007 (3 years 8 months)

Oversaw distribution centre administration, load planning, quality audits, and forecasting to support senior management decision-making and improve departmental efficiency and KPI performance.

distribution management Loading Plan Audit Forecasting Reporting Customer Service KPIs

Inventory Operations Supervisor

MTN South Africa

Dec 1997 - Feb 2003 (5 years 2 months)

Managed inventory control and logistics, led rollout of barcode scanning systems, and improved stock accuracy and warehouse efficiency, earning a promotion to supervisor within five months.

Inventory Management Warehouse operations Stock Audits Process Improvement Training

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of South Africa

Bachelor's Degree, Communication Science

Completed a Bachelor's degree in Communication Science from the University of South Africa, focusing on communication theory and professional practice.