Meet The
Team
JAMES BYRNE
Managing Director
James began his professional journey as a Quantity Surveyor within a large corporate environment, where he quickly advanced into senior management roles. Driven by a passion for innovation and growth, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding successful ventures in residential development, real estate, and housing finance.
With a career spanning over two decades in the cosmetics and personal care industry, James brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to his role as Managing Director at Lee-Chem. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into new markets, strengthened its brand portfolio, and achieved sustained growth.
James is passionate about customer satisfaction, and his leadership style encourages collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement — building a workplace culture where people and ideas thrive.
"People are the foundation of everything we do. We treat each other with respect and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards. We work hard to create an environment where people thrive personally and professionally and empower staff to deliver to the highest standards. We have built a strong team that is committed to exceptional, customer-first solutions.”
Jason Smith (JJ)
National Sales & Marketing Manager
JJ Smith leads Lee-Chem’s Sales and Marketing divisions, driving performance across local retail channels and key accounts. Backed by an honours degree in Exercise Science and over 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, FMCG, and personal care sectors, he brings deep industry insight and a proven track record of success.
Known for his analytical acumen and keen attention to detail, JJ constantly challenges the norm to uncover smart, results-driven strategies that fuel growth and enhance efficiency.
A natural leader and team builder, JJ fosters a collaborative culture and is passionate about mentoring talent to reach their full potential. His dynamic, forward-thinking approach keeps the business agile and ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving market landscape.
Bhavna Sanker
Marketing Manager
A passionate marketing professional with over 12 years of experience in marketing and brand management, Bhavna brings a wealth of expertise and a strategic mindset to every project. Armed with an Honours degree in Marketing & Business Management and a Diploma in Packaging Technology, she has the perfect blend of skills to develop innovative marketing strategies that deliver results.
Bhavna is highly motivated, driven, and excels at identifying market opportunities, crafting compelling brand narratives, and delivering measurable outcomes that propel business growth.
Her career is marked by a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of consumer behaviour.
Brenda Stanfield
Export Sales Manager
Brenda’s journey with Lee-Chem began in 1998, when she joined as a Debtors Clerk and Sales Administrator. By 2002, her talent and dedication saw her promoted to Product Manager for Salon Specifics, where she led national distribution and local salon sector sales with great success.
Over the past 26 years, Brenda’s role has evolved to encompass professional sector account management, customer relations, and export operations. Her deep institutional knowledge and extensive industry experience make her a key asset to the team.
Brenda is known for her commitment to continuous improvement, her ability to build and nurture lasting relationships, and her passion for supporting the sustained growth of the company.
Themba Ndwandwe
Production Manager
Themba began his career in 1995 as an operator in the equipment manufacturing sector and has steadily progressed into key management roles over the years. His career spans several industries, including automotive, footwear, and personal care, giving him a broad and valuable perspective on production management.
Qualified in Supply Chain Management, Themba excels in optimising production processes, managing costs, and leading high-performing teams with precision and purpose. His strong operational focus and hands-on leadership style ensure consistent quality and efficiency on the factory floor.
Outside of work, Themba is a dedicated family man and a passionate soccer enthusiast, always ready to enjoy the game and support his team.
Clinton Pillay
Financial Manager
With over 15 years of experience in finance and administration, Clinton plays a pivotal role in driving financial efficiency and operational excellence at Lee-Chem.
His expertise includes financial planning, budgeting, and administrative management, with a strong focus on streamlining processes and enhancing data accuracy. Clinton has successfully led the implementation of advanced financial software solutions, revolutionising the way financial data is managed and reported across the business.
These improvements have not only saved time but also provided deeper insights into financial performance — empowering more strategic, data-driven decision-making.
Roxann Morrison
R&D Manager
Armed with a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and over 15 years of research experience, Roxann brings a wealth of technical expertise and a passion for cosmetic science to her role at Lee-Chem. Proudly calling herself the "Chief Technical Nerd," she combines deep knowledge of formulation chemistry with a natural flair for creative problem-solving in product development.
As an active member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists South Africa, Roxann thrives on applying cutting-edge scientific principles to innovate, refine, and elevate our cosmetic offerings — ensuring every product meets the highest standards of performance and quality.
Ziningi Ntombela
HR Manager
Ziningi leads the development and execution of Lee-Chem’s People Strategy, driving performance and engagement through strategic people management. With over 10 years of HR experience across manufacturing, financial services, and retail, she has partnered with some of South Africa’s most respected organisations.
Her expertise includes HR business partnering, strategic project delivery, and talent development, with a strong focus on aligning people strategies to business goals. Passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential, Ziningi is dedicated to cultivating a workplace where talent thrives and people feel valued — because at Lee-Chem, our greatest asset is our people.
Sanjana Ramsunder
SHEQ Manager
Sanjana is responsible for overseeing quality, safety, health, and environmental compliance at Lee-Chem, ensuring that the company upholds the highest manufacturing standards. Holding a degree in Biotechnology and with ten years of experience in the cosmetics industry, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Her proficiency in quality management systems, coupled with her focus on auditing and root cause analysis, plays a critical role in identifying and addressing potential risks. Sanjana’s proactive approach not only resolves operational challenges but also anticipates them, helping to foster a resilient and efficient production environment.