Stephan Barkhuizen

Accountable for operational performance, compliance, workforce capability, and execution stability in a regulated pharmaceutical environment. Defined role-specific capability expectations aligned to procedures, quality standards, and inspection readiness. Implemented structured learning and reinforcement routines embedded into management processes. Increased employee engagement scores by 15 percent within twelve months. Maintained two consecutive years of clean regulatory audits with no critical findings. Led operational readiness for a major system implementation with zero customer disruption. Delivered year-over-year productivity improvement while doubling operational volume and workforce size. Introduced digital and artificial intelligence supported tools improving reporting quality and follow-through. Initiated continuous improvement projects delivering approximately $1M savings in 2025 Led McKesson Specialty Distribution through major technology and growth transformation

Launched the national Continuous Improvement strategy and roadmap for Canada, creating a consistent framework for performance, problem solving, and waste reduction. Designed and deployed a standardized capability framework defining expected leadership behaviors. Conducted learning needs analyses directly linked to operational and financial performance gaps. Exceeded annual improvement targets in consecutive years through repeatable capability cycles. Enabled leaders to link improvement initiatives to verified financial outcomes.

Led national performance and operating model initiatives across 20+ distribution sites. Directed operating model and capability design for facilities exceeding one million square feet. Improved utilization and cost effectiveness through centralized equipment strategy. Led automation design and business case development across South Africa operations

Led engineering and pricing teams responsible for operating model design and cost development. Designed compliant operating and capability models for new and renewing clients. Contributed to the business unit’s first breakthrough year in sales performance in five years.

Led national continuous improvement deployment across multiple operations. Built capability through structured learning, coaching, and governance. Delivered measurable improvements in cost, service, and quality performance.

Supported implementation and change adoption to ensure realized operational benefit Led analytics‑based diagnostics identifying cost, capacity, and productivity improvement opportunities Connected transactional drivers to operational constraints to unlock measurable performance gains Designed end‑to‑end distribution operating flows using data‑driven layout and process engineering Built labor and capacity models to optimize staffing, throughput, and service performance Performed advanced operational data analysis linking WMS/transactional data to physical flow bottlenecks

Lean six Sigma II : Advanced certification demonstrating expertise in leading complex, cross-functional improvement projects. Focused on strategic problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and sustainable change. Includes mentoring, training, and delivering measurable business impact through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.