Gerhard Nel
Waxhaw,NC
Summary
Results-driven executive with extensive experience in strategic leadership and operational excellence. Proven track record in driving growth, optimizing processes, and fostering team collaboration. Exceptional skills in strategic planning, financial management, and stakeholder engagement. Adaptable and reliable, consistently achieving high-impact results in dynamic environments.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
VP Digital Strategy & IT Governance
Albemarle
01.2025 - Current
- Established a comprehensive IT operations strategy, facilitating incident escalation and request methodology across global IT departments
- Collaborated with Digital Service Delivery to implement meaningful KPIs
- Provided project management oversight for complex global initiatives
- Ensured security, performance, reliability, and efficiency of regional infrastructure
- Championed improvements in IT processes and efficiency
- Led IT PMO, IT Risk & Compliance, Mergers & Acquisition, Enterprise Architecture, IT Service Delivery, Data & Analytics, and AI teams.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Negotiated high-value contracts that maximized profitability while mitigating risks for the organization.
Sr. IT Director – Global Support Services
Albemarle
12.2021 - 12.2024
- Led a global team responsible for desktop services delivery
- Oversaw metrics management, including KPIs related to ticket volumes
- Provided mentoring and career development for team members
- Oversaw budget and financial planning
- Enhanced IT infrastructure by implementing strategic technology upgrades and streamlining system processes.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing cost-effective services for the organization's IT needs.
- Implemented cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive company data and maintain compliance with industry standards.
Regional IT Manager – South America
Albemarle
09.2017 - 11.2021
- Aligned with corporate IT standards for synergy and standardization
- Established a robust IT service management framework based on industry standards such as ITIL, driving quality improvements and operational excellence.
- Acted as Business Relationship Manager to the Chile Leadership Team
- Developed custom IT solutions to address specific business needs, driving operational improvements and cost savings.
- Oversaw technology budget planning and allocation to optimize resource utilization while meeting organizational objectives.
IT Operations Manager
Enaex S.A.
02.2016 - 09.2017
- Headed the IT operations team, ensuring operational stability
- Managed the IT helpdesk, receiving 700 calls per month
- Managed IT projects to ensure timely and budget deliveries
- Negotiated favorable vendor contracts for cost-effective acquisition of technology resources and support services.
- Aligned IT strategy with organizational goals by collaborating closely with senior leadership on technology roadmap development.
Regional IT Project Manager
Oriflame
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Led the Latin American region in implementing a cloud-based contact center
- Planned the project in parallel with Oriflame Global Management
- Established project plan baseline
Senior Systems Engineer, Windows Technology Managed Services
Ventyx
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Enforced ITIL processes and implemented continuous improvement
- Led and implemented project activities of new technology
- Monitored and troubleshot backup and restore globally
- Provided Level 3 support for complex technical problems
- Joined 24/7/365 support model for customer service
IT Master Engineer
Monticello Casino, Sun International
05.2008 - 12.2011
- Planned annual infrastructure budget with IT Manager
- Aligned operation to ITIL-based processes
- Maintained and enhanced systems architecture
- Led Disaster Recovery Plan
- Ensured help desk service quality and SLA
- Validated contracts with service providers
IT Master Engineer
Sibaya Casino, Sun International
01.2006 - 04.2008
- Negotiated service and maintenance contracts with technology providers
- Led and controlled technology projects for the casino and hotels
- Created annual budget for IT services
- Reviewed processes and procedures with IT operations team
- Supported cost reduction objectives
IT Senior Engineer
Sibaya Casino, Sun International
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Created local procedures to improve IT operations
- Provided tier 2 support
- Ensured computer systems availability as per SLAs
IT Engineer
Sugarmill Casino, Sun International
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Provided first-level user support
Education
ITIL Foundations V4 - Information Technology
Prometric
01.2023
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals - Information Technology
Prometric
01.2021
PM Course for IT Professionals - Project Management
RMC Project Management
01.2013
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator - Information Technology
Prometric
01.2009
Certified Novell Engineer - Information Technology
Prometric
01.2005
ITIL Foundations V2 - Information Technology
Prometric
01.2004
Computer Engineering - Information Management
Damelin
South Africa01.2001
Interactive Intelligence CAAS Certified Professional (CCP 4.0) - Information Technology
Interactive Intelligence
01.2015
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager 6.3 Implementation And Administration - Information Technology
IBM
01.2013
Certification in Leadership/Communication/Delegation and Assertiveness - Leadership
MCA Training International
South Africa01.2003
Skills
- Cost Optimization Strategies
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Mentoring Experience
- Advanced Problem Analysis
- Collaborative Partnership Building
- Long-Term Strategy Development
- Operational Oversight
- Customer Relationship Management
- Operational Efficiency Enhancement
- Contract Management
- Budget Oversight
- Strategic Program Leadership
Accomplishments
- Created a global AI strategy and Responsible AI framework, leveraging RPA and Generative AI to achieve 5-25% productivity gains based on role, priorities, and systems maturity.
- Partnered with C-suite leaders to align IT and security strategies with business objectives, contributing to a 20% increase in operational efficiency.
- Oversaw IT operations for a Fortune 500 company, driving growth from $2B to ~$10B in revenue over five years through strategic operations management, M&A integration, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Implemented capital projects in IT infrastructure, managing annual budgets of $7-10 million.
- Managed an Opex budget of $5 million.
- Led an RFP Process to renegotiate AMS Contracts with a 30% reduction in cost.
Timeline
VP Digital Strategy & IT Governance
Albemarle
01.2025 - Current
Sr. IT Director – Global Support Services
Albemarle
12.2021 - 12.2024
Regional IT Manager – South America
Albemarle
09.2017 - 11.2021
IT Operations Manager
Enaex S.A.
02.2016 - 09.2017
Regional IT Project Manager
Oriflame
01.2014 - 01.2016
Senior Systems Engineer, Windows Technology Managed Services
Ventyx
01.2012 - 01.2013
IT Master Engineer
Monticello Casino, Sun International
05.2008 - 12.2011
IT Master Engineer
Sibaya Casino, Sun International
01.2006 - 04.2008
IT Senior Engineer
Sibaya Casino, Sun International
01.2002 - 01.2006
IT Engineer
Sugarmill Casino, Sun International
01.2001 - 01.2002
ITIL Foundations V4 - Information Technology
Prometric
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals - Information Technology
Prometric
PM Course for IT Professionals - Project Management
RMC Project Management
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator - Information Technology
Prometric
Certified Novell Engineer - Information Technology
Prometric
ITIL Foundations V2 - Information Technology
Prometric
Computer Engineering - Information Management
Damelin
Interactive Intelligence CAAS Certified Professional (CCP 4.0) - Information Technology
Interactive Intelligence
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager 6.3 Implementation And Administration - Information Technology
IBM
Certification in Leadership/Communication/Delegation and Assertiveness - Leadership
MCA Training International
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Afrikaans
Native or Bilingual
Us Work Visa
L1A
Personal Information
Nationality: South Africa Chile
US Work Visa
L1A
Personal Information
Nationalities: South Africa and Chile
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