Operational Excellence Senior Manager

Lakshmy Gandhi

Sammamish, WA 980**-***-*** **** ad5tz8@r.postjobfree.com

Senior Manager

As a seasoned leader, I thrive on enabling people potential. I’ve built and managed high-performing, diverse teams globally, delivering breakthrough performance. I’ve led high-performing global teams, delivering complex projects on time and within budget. My passion for software development drives me to achieve technical excellence while fostering innovation. I’m committed to operational excellence, strategic planning, and mentoring diverse talent.

Areas of Expertise

Leadership and Team Management Strategic Balance and Technical Maturity Digital Transformation and Data Expertise Operational Excellence and Service Innovation Effective Communication and Cultural Awareness Track Record and Mentorship Community Involvement and Language Advocacy Supply Chain Solutions and Technical Acumen SAP Package Cloud ChatGPT Copilot AI Fintech Robotics Experience Summary

As an experienced leader, I’ve demonstrated a track record of excellence across various domains.

• Leveraged customer insights to shape product vision, strategy, roadmap, and priorities.

• Seamlessly integrated a customer-first mentality, representing customer priorities both internally and externally.

• Focused on operational excellence through a reliable operations scorecard. Conducted analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to identify root causes of issues and assess opportunity size and impact.

• Continuously optimized services with sensible technology adoption. Functioned as an innovation evangelist, championing the application and scaling of technical ideas across technologies and vertical departments.

• Supported analyzing future-state capabilities, performance, and solution designs to influence build vs. buy decisions.

• Consistently achieved excellent results and enabled breakthrough performance through effective leadership.

• Built and managed high-performing, diverse teams globally.

• Mentored diverse candidates, emphasizing core competency coaching.

• Translated ERP product/platform strategy into actionable plans driving value for the organization and its customers.

• Collaborated with ERP and Integration Development and Execution teams to build and communicate anticipated release schedules.

• Managed Planning Memo, Epic, feature and story elaboration activities across all Agile Teams throughout execution.

• Assisted in running beta and pilot programs for early-stage products and samples.

• Developed high-scale, distributed systems in SAP Package and surround systems, including cloud environments. Implemented best-in-class, scalable solutions.

• Proficient in SAP modules like SAP MM, PP, PP-PI, SD, WM, IM, MES, BW, MDG, S/4HANA, SAP Ariba

(Upstream and downstream), SAP APO Demand planning, SQL, and SDLC. Evaluated emerging technologies

(AI, ML, IoT, Blockchain) for solution optimization.

• Teaching Tamil language to elementary and middle school children since 2018. UC Berkeley University - Student 08.2023-04.2024

• Berkeley Technology Leadership Program is offered by Berkeley Executive Education for Strategic Change Agents and Champion transformation in the field of AI, Digital and Fintech.

• Understand trends in digital technologies and opportunities for digital transformation.

• Learn strategies and processes to lead technology implementation and drive change.

• Evaluate the value of AI-driven applications and formulate an AI strategy.

• Explore the fintech ecosystem and its impact on traditional banking and new business models.

• Hone leadership style and communication skills through live sessions and practical exercises. Microsoft 07.2018–10.2023

• Senior Software Engineering Manager of MDM/MDG team

• Led over 50+ DevOps resources globally. Groomed self-managing, self-motivated successful leaders, high- performing team.

• Fostered a culture aligned with Microsoft's values of Diversity and Inclusion, providing opportunities for diverse candidates, interns, and Year-Ups in the MDM Team.

• Proficient in SAP modules like SAP MDM, MDG (Materials, Business Partners, Vendors, Customers, Contract Accounts, GL Accounts, PC, CC, Internal Orders), MM, PP, PP-PI, SD, WM, IM, MES, BW, S/4HANA, SAP Ariba Upstream and downstream, SAP APO Demand planning, SQL, and SDLC.

• Implemented cutting-edge Microsoft technologies, such as ChatGPT and Copilot, to elevate team performance.

• Advocated for the strategic use of AI in automation, utilizing RPA, Chatbots, and Machine Learning for tasks like forecasting and anomaly detection.

• Led the development of a transparent, diverse, and self-organized team, fostering passion and cross- training for MDM team. Introduced Situational awareness and Live-site maturity, defined Roles and Responsibilities of DRI, and drove the implementation of a self-sustainable automated telemetry process. This initiative stabilized SAP MDM/MDG and the surrounding system, resulting in a 50% reduction in tickets within six months.

• Promoted a culture of innovation by encouraging team participation in Hackathons. Implemented RPA

(Robotic Process Automation) for Data Migration.

• Established a knowledge-sharing platform through monthly brown bag sessions, facilitating visibility and mutual learning across teams.

• Practiced the core principles of MODEL, COACH, and CARE, aligning with Microsoft's themes and supporting team members in their career growth.

• Acquired PMP training, applying tactical insights to introduce the Master file concept as a one-stop-shop for project execution, received positive feedback from the Senior Leadership team.

• Successfully guided the team in utilizing Microsoft project planning and the Master file to streamline project communication and execution, Change Management and overcoming challenges.

• Leveraged the Scale Agile Framework-SAFe methodology for Planning Increments (PI) and Semester planning. Contributed to Microsoft MDM Digital transformation by harnessing Microsoft technologies like Chatbot (robotics), Machine learning, Power BI telemetry, and automated alerts. Projects Delivered and supported as a Senior Manager are included but not limited to: 1. Cayman Retirement, BigCat Migration, Jarvis: Homegrown system retirement: Roles includes the data migration of Master data from legacy systems, redesign the CRUD process, Data integration with other surround systems, Reporting – Initial full load and daily delta. Etc., Accomplishment: Digital Transformation, Platform Maturity ROI: $460K/year Cost savings. 2. Elevate: Data Migration from legacy homegrown systems for Data Centers globally, Supply chain implementation for Data Center Assets (Capex) includes SAP ECC to SAP S/4 HANA MDG integration through IDOCS, SOAP. Integration to COSMOS event-based data publication, Integration to EDL, Webservices integration for OEM and VL customers. Data Bricks reports daily delta consumption by surround systems. Collaborated in cross-site and cross-functional project teams to ensure seamless execution of material transfers. Facilitated both process-based and systematic transactions during cross-site material transfers. Acted as the primary point of contact for troubleshooting and root cause analysis when issues arose during the transfer process. Collaborated with IT and PMO teams to ensure seamless execution of material transfers. Reviewed and revised BRD, including changes and standard operating procedures (SOPs), to maintain accuracy and compliance. Accomplishment: Digital Transformation ROI: $550K/year savings. 3. Mavericks – S/4 HANA Implementation for MM, Data Migration of Material Master, BPs, Vendor Master, Customer Master, Contract Accounts, Info record, Source lists, Open Pos, Inventory. End-to-End Project delivery. Integration with other systems and repositories like EDL, COSMOS, IBP, Azure Blob, Microsoft Ordering systems. Accomplishment: Digital Transformation, Platform hardening, E-2-E data tracking, cost savings. ROI: $870K/year cost savings.

4. Milan – Optimization of Pricing techniques for Software Materials including VL, OEM customers, Azure Customers. Accomplishments: Process Simplification, Process Automation, Great Customer Experience. ROI: $90K/year cost savings

5. Meliora – SAP IBP solutions support from MM front and Integration. 6. MOM – Microsoft Organization Master for Customer master, POC for MOM 7. EDL – Enterprise Data Lake (Data storage and retrieval from Azure Cloud thru Data Bricks - Goto Market) 8. TTM – Time to MARKET (product launch to market) 9. Engineering Redesign for Material Masters

10. Solution Redesign for Pricing technique

11. Product Hierarchy expansion changes in 72 systems including EDM, Phoenix, MPP, DML, EDL, POP, Bigcat, Ariba, Tidal, MDG – DGP, Worksoft scripts etc.,

12. KTLO – Keeps the lights on – Production support for all MM related issues. RCA analysis, Repair items and setup and execution.

13. Support month end and year end closure.

14. Virtual forge – ABAP code standard compliance

15. Test Automation using worksoft, POSTMAN,

16. CELA support: Legal compliance requirement from MDM/MDG front 17. Meta data maintenance – ISO standards update.

18. SAP Systems upgrade (Twice a year)

19. Disaster Recovery support with failover and failback processes. 20. Chatbot implementation for tickets correspondence and self-serve customer reports and reduce the ticket volume by 52%

21. SPIKE requirements handling.

22. Azure subscription setup and maintenance for the team. General Electric Power (Digital) 03.2017 – 06.2018 Supported Project GE Power and Alstom merger. Supported Digital Transformation of the GE Gas turbine factory to Alstom’s strategic platform.

• Delivered Business and Organizational transformation and moved $2.5B COGS to SAP.

• Reduced Order to Remittance cycle time by 25%.

• Improved the WIP stock visibility by creating a sub-ledger accounted for $700M.

• Eliminated COPICS Mainframe system and saved $3M. Deloitte Consulting LLP 11.2015– 03.2017

Client: Magic Leap: SAP Ariba SAP MDG SAP Supply Chain S/4 HANA Led the Implementation of SAP ECC, SAP Ariba upstream and downstream and S/4 HANA for Augmented Reality Display supply chain processes.

• Delivered the IT Strategy and Roadmap for Augmented Reality Display Unit’s Supply Chain process.

• Process defined for the Creation and Maintenance of Ariba catalogs and Ariba. Contract Compliance and other Purchasing activities in support of Line of Business using S/4 HANA Fiori apps.

• Managed the Project, Program development, Enhancement initiatives and Compliance management activities.

• Created project planning, requirements documents, and Stakeholders presentations for the project milestones.

• Designed and enabled 360 deg. end-to-end supplier performance management process.

• Personally prototyped & delivered project/event templates and managed fit/gap with Ariba for complex sourcing processes.

Client: Constellation Brands Inc. SAP MDG

CRUD process for Material master data and vendor/customer master data.

• Led the team to implement SAP MDG 7.5

• Enabled SAP MDG MM and BP models. Set up TREX and enterprise search in MDG, floor Plan Manager Activities for vendor master and customer master.

• MDG DRF and Import Framework IMG activities, MDG Key mapping and value mapping functionality settings, integration of MDG with other systems to replicate master data and cross-reference data, DQM integration with MDG to leverage duplicate checks and address standardization functionality in MDG. Client: Dart SAP Supply Chain & APO Demand Planning Created APO Demand Planning Process flows in Visio, APO DP Requirement Metrics, and DP project plan methodology.

• Configuration Guide, security and Authorization Template, master data Template, integration template, defined Roles and Responsibilities, and Metrics and built Integration and UAT test scripts. Client: Deloitte, Preconfigured solution SAP Supply Chain & Recipe Management Consultant (SAP PT Package)

SAP Food and Beverage Pre-Configured Solution. Hands-on Team Lead for the upgrade of SAP Logistics and Procurement systems.

• Subject Matter Expert in Repetitive Manufacturing and Detailed Line scheduling.

• Secured Procurement Contracts and Procurement Manufacturing Stock.

• Team leads for configuring & testing BPPs end-to-end scenarios.

• Subcontracting, Subcontracting with Excise duty, Purchase Rebate, and Returns complaints. Raw Material Sales, Stock Transfer with and without delivery, Cross company stock transfer, WM, and QM inbound and outbound, Transportation Management, tested Component specification, In-Process Inspection, Source Inspection, and Formula Management.

Client: Verizon Communications Inc.

Inventory Management Process Reengineering: Design and implement innovative business processes and enterprise-wide governance standards. Delivered projects as a S/4 HANA MM Procurement and BW Logistics Reporting Specialist.

• Gathered legacy systems requirements, responsible for Configuration, built specifications for BW reports, bex queries.

• Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR) process documentation provided OCM and COE recommendations to support VzW’s “To-Be” Process, furnished end-user training plan and materials. Conagra Foods, INC Senior Systems Engineer - 06.2013 – 10.2015 Projects: Printed Packaging Display: Objective: Improve the capability to execute PPD planning and build to improve service to customers and reduce costs. PPDs are integral to ConAgra's growth strategy and increased with opportunities to combine branded and PB products on a single display. ROI: $254K/Year obsolescence reduction, $310K - $620K/Year on margin improvement Pilot Plant: To bring ConAgra's Research and Development Plant which is called as the Pilot Plant into compliance with new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. Directly supports Al Bolles FY15 objective to become "FSMA ready" ROI: Estimated Cost Saving is $53K One Ardnet Mills and Neo Mills Divestiture: To form Ardent Mills, the parents, Cargill and ConAgra, need to divest four mills to one or more buyers. Per a decree by the Dept. of Justice (DOJ), the parents must effectively support the potential buyer(s) to operate competitively on Day 1. IT must determine effort and impacts for all possible buyer and TSA scenarios.

Oracle Database R3 Move (R3VM): The project involves moving R3 Oracle database to our DC 2.0 infrastructure to reduce maintenance downtimes, provide more flexibility in infrastructure maintenance, and avoid annual recurring costs by reducing use of Symantec cluster software. ROI: Hard cost savings: $168K, Soft savings:

$150K

Common Business Language: Objective: Set the definition of SAP hierarchies / attributes for the new ConAgra structure moving forward, request/update master data, restate forecast / historical / annual operating plan

(AOP) SAP data and align reporting and transactional systems. Sterling Integrator (SI) Upgrade: Objective: is nearing end of support and the hardware is nearing end-of-life. Upgrading SI to version 5.2, moving into the DC 2.0 environment and migrating to Oxford framework. Data Integration: is a Data Migration project to bring data from Non-SAP system like JD Edwards, LX BPCS, PRISM to SAP system for the products like Pasta, CEREAL, Azusa OTC, Cliff bars, Indy South Harlan Colt, 3Cs

(Cookies, Crackers and Condiments), 3Ps, Azusa SC, Snack Nuts and Candies, Peanut Butter (project Ghost), Streator and Buckner, Bakery, International.

Other Relevant Experience

ERP and ERP CORP, US SAP MM/IM/LE Functional - NOV 2012 – JUN 2013 IBM Corporation SAP MM/IM/LE/WM - DEC 2008 – NOV 2012 Hewlett-Packard, INDIA SAP MM - JUL 2008 – NOV 2008 Lenovo, INDIA SAP MM/SD (Implementation)–Environment: SAP ECC 6.0 - JAN 2007 – JUL 2008 HCL Technologies, INDIA SAP MM Functional Environment: ECC 4.7 - DEC 2005 – JAN 2007 IBM, INDIA SAP MM - MAY 2003 – DEC 2005

Certification & Trainings

Leading with Vision

Technical Product Management

Collaboration Principles and Process

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, India B. Tech (Electronics and Communication Engineering) Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry, India Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy MIT SLOAN CSAIL, MA, USA Jan 2024 Berkely Technology Leadership Program Berkeley Haas, CA, USA April 2024 LinkedIn Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshmygandhi/

Work Authorization

GC EAD Valid till Jan 2029

Contact this candidate