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Sonja Shear

@sonjashear1

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Executive operator at PivotPoint360, turning business priorities into accountable execution and measurable performance.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I'm open to remote, hybrid, interim, fractional, project-based or permanent senior operating roles. I'm comfortable working across South African, UK, European and US time zones.

At PivotPoint360, I work directly with owners and leadership teams to diagnose performance constraints and turn priorities into clear workstreams, ownership, and follow-through. I also provide interim and fractional executive support when businesses need senior operational leadership or execution capacity.

As CEO of The Wanderers Club, I helped restore operational and financial performance after six consecutive loss years, reaching break-even within 18 months. I also grew active membership by more than 20% and strengthened financial governance and operating discipline.

At Sony Ericsson, I led commercial, channel, supply-chain, and organisational realignment across South Africa and Nigeria, moving the business from approximately €16.5m EBITDA loss to approximately €3.5m EBITDA profit. Earlier, at Ster-Kinekor Entertainment, I established a retail business unit and helped grow the acquired rental portfolio by more than 30% within 18 months.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Managing Director & Lead Consultant

Current

PivotPoint360

Mar 2026 - Present (7 months)

Provides business performance advisory and executive support focused on operational improvement, commercial performance, turnaround, and execution. Works directly with owners and leadership teams to diagnose growth constraints and convert priorities into practical workstreams.

operational improvements Commercial Performance Turnaround Management Execution AI Research AI Synthesis AI Assisted Drafting Tools Workflow Improvement

Chief Executive Officer

The Wanderers Club

May 2022 - Mar 2026 (3 years 10 months)

Appointed after six consecutive loss years to restore operational and financial performance. Stabilised performance and achieved break-even within 18 months while managing a complex mix of membership, hospitality, events, facilities, people, suppliers, and governance stakeholders.

Financial Governance Procurement Control Operational Discipline Commercial Recovery Market Expansion Stakeholder Management Board Level Communication

Managing Director/Founder

LeadingLight Business Evolution

Oct 2014 - May 2022 (7 years 7 months)

Leadership, organisational effectiveness and advisory business serving mid-market clients across retail, manufacturing and services. Supported clients with operational restructuring, overhead reduction, commercial realignment and management-capability improvement.

Operational Restructuring Overhead Reduction Commercial Alignment management skills Accountability Leadership Communication Skills

Corporate Executive – Direct Market Launch

Fujifilm South Africa

Jan 2012 - Oct 2014 (2 years 9 months)

Led the end-to-end establishment of Fujifilm's direct corporate presence in South Africa. Delivered strategic positioning, regulatory compliance and the commercial infrastructure required for direct-market operations.

Strategic Positioning Regulatory Compliance Commercial Infrastructure Market Entry

Managing Director – Southern Africa & Nigeria

Sony Ericsson

Jan 2007 - Dec 2011 (4 years 11 months)

Held full P&L accountability across two African markets during rapid technology and channel disruption. Led commercial, channel, supply-chain and organisational realignment that moved the business from approximately €16.5m EBITDA loss to approximately €3.5m EBITDA profit.

P&L management Channel Management Supply Chain Strategic Realignment Cost Control Performance Accountability

COO – Retail & Rental Division

Ster-Kinekor Entertainment

Feb 1998 - Dec 2006 (8 years 10 months)

Built and scaled retail and rental commercial operations within a leading entertainment group. Established the retail business unit from inception and grew an acquired rental portfolio by more than 30% within 18 months across regional operations.

Retail Operations Rental Operations Business Unit Launch Team Leadership Customer Service Distributor Management