Who Is Paballo?

Talk to us about your journey (career)

A: I started my career as an overeager graduate trainee at Nestle chocolate factory in East London soon after completing my MSc(Agric) in Food Science and Technology from the University of Pretoria. 

Instead of working in the lab as I should have, my curiosity and love for people soon led me to my first job as a Production Team Leader. The first few months were extremely challenging as I learnt to lead a team and manage line performance. 

With a few achievements in the bag, I then transitioned into Continuous Improvement and successfully led my factory through the pilot implementation of the Nestle Continuous Excellence program. I held a similar role at Danone, leading DaMaWay, their World Class Manufacturing program. I was later poached by Marley to come help implement the TPM program (Toyota Productive Maintenance). 

I joined SAB as an Executive Assistant to General Manager in Sales and Distribution. The other short-term roles I held include L&D Coordinator and Warehouse Services Consultant. When SAB transitioned into ABInbev, I became the first DPO (Distribution Process Optimisation) Manager for zone Africa, one of the then six global zones. I was tasked with rolling out the program to seventy-two DCs in zone Africa. I left three years later after having successfully implemented at thirty-two DCs (piloted four DCs in year one, rolled out to sixteen in year two, and thirty-two in year three). 

I joined the SAP4Hana implementation team when AB InBev embarked on a journey to implement SAP in the rest of Africa. I enjoyed being part of the digitisation project so much that the next role I took up was in the IT department as Transformation Lead for Logistics. 

After saying no to Barron twice, I eventually agreed to consult for them and help resolve the issues they were having in their warehouse after implementing MSD365. We tripled the throughput and reduced average order turnaround times from two weeks to dispatching 85% within 24hrs of order placement. 

I took a little detour from Logistics by joining Deloitte as a Consultant change manager for a CRM implementation project for an energy company. 

I joined CCBSA in November 2022 as an Executive Assistant to Logistics Director. I took up the role of Gauteng Regional Logistics Manager in March 2023.

What is your vision for the Gauteng Region, and what are the focus areas for 2023?

A: My dream is for Gauteng to be the place where everyone wants to work and/or benchmark for best practices. 

Gauteng Region has an interesting dynamic in that we’re at the Central Office and very close to the airport, so our DCs are the ones that are likely to be visited and give a first impression of CCBSA. We want that impression to be that of a world-class operation. 

How will you support the teams to achieve the goals?

A: My job is to help enable and help remove any blocks that prevent them from achieving their goals. This could include among others, resources (e.g., an ageing fleet), conflicting priorities, capability, difficulty in adapting to change, etc.

What is your approach to leadership?

A: My approach is that of a servant leader. I believe my job is to serve my teams and enable them to perform and empower them to make decisions, make mistakes and learn – while keeping them accountable. 

When performance is poor, there’s usually something in the system itself that has gone out of kilter. I like to look at problems holistically (process, machine, material, measurement, people, environment etc.) and address them at that level. 

I also believe that for a team to succeed, all members must play their part and do it well. This starts with ensuring that our team members are well-trained and fully capable of consistently executing our defined processes. When issues come up, the teams should be able and empowered to solve them and escalate where necessary for coaching and support. 

We should create an environment where the teams are free to openly and honestly tell us what the issues are – this way efforts to solve problems are directed at the real issues and not smoke screens created to cover up for fear of negative consequences.

What have been your biggest wins in your career?

A: I have achieved some results that I’m really proud of. My biggest wins entail where I’ve made an impact in people’s lives and helped them achieve results they didn’t know they were capable of. I’m a teacher and coach at heart, therefore, my wins are when my people win.

Who is Paballo Mokoena when you’re not at work?

A: I am a mother to two daughters. They are the drive behind most things I have achieved. I want to give them the best opportunities possible. I am also the firstborn of three and the only daughter, which makes me a deputy mom to my two brothers and cousin-sister. When I am not working, I like to watch cheesy romantic shows with my firstborn daughter or board games with my little one. I am a very curious and avid reader, which I haven’t done much of since I started dancing Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba.

What would you like to say to a young woman inspired by your journey?

A: There are now more opportunities for us to take advantage of. Not everyone is going to be happy for you. Don’t let that deter you. Put in the work. Add value. Remain curious, flexible and resilient. Sometimes the opportunities are wrapped in the very challenges you are experiencing. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Take ownership of your journey. Don’t be a victim. Don’t let life happen to you; happen to your life. #FetchYourLife