Mitchell Cook

Background

About Mitchell Cook

While my professional career began in the natural resource industry, I am a data enthusiast at heart. When I began at University I found myself spending hours playing with Excel spreadsheets - editing formats, using conditional formatting, and using complex formulas to automate my spreadsheets. I soon realized I loved data. I have since spent time working in the Forests of the Eastern Cape and most recently joined a Ground Handling Agent in Johannesburg as a Continuous Improvement Lead. In this position, I am able to utilize my skills in data analysis to peek into the inner workings of our business and differentiate between Value-added and non-value-added (NVA) processes. Using the LEAN framework we then aim to reduce all NVA processes to assist in boosting the overall productivity of our company. I have key roles in monthly presentation preparation, where I present the monthly best practices and monthly reviews to our head of operational excellence and other international continuous improvement units. I use data analysis to aid the company through data-driven decision-making. An example of this is helping the finance department look through data on our current forklift fleet to find cost-saving initiatives. I create and maintain internal dashboards for the continuous improvement department. These dashboards use formulas, cross-referencing spreadsheets, and conditional formatting to make compiling monthly reports easier. In 2023 I will continue to gain knowledge and insight into the data industry by studying part-time for a Postgraduate diploma: Data analytics - focusing on data analytic tools and methodologies, stats and mathematical analysis, and data programming skills. I will also be certifying myself with a Green belt in 6Sigma. This course works hand in hand with LEAN management as a problem-solving methodology - aiding management to help make data-driven decision-making. I have a long journey in data ahead of me and relish the road ahead.