Quality Assurance Business Transformation
Resume:
Latishia Naidoo
Transformation & Program Management Leader
********.*********@*****.*** • 317-***-****
http://www.linkedin.com/in/latishia-naidoo • Chicago, IL Dynamic global business transformation and program leader with extensive experience in spearheading and delivering complex SAP S/4HANA initiatives across multiple continents. Proven track record of driving strategic alignment and operational excellence by collaborating with IT experts and executive teams to redefine project scope and financial plans. History of success in leading diverse teams, fostering adaptability, and cultivating a culture of continuous learning. Skilled in optimizing global processes, enhancing financial transparency, and implementing large-scale efficiency initiatives. Adept in promoting strategic planning and quality assurance, leveraging Six Sigma methodologies, and attaining significant operational improvements and cost efficiencies. Committed to delivering transformative results and advancing organizational growth in competitive markets.
Areas of Expertise
• Project & Program Management
• Global Business Transformation
• SAP S/4HANA Implementation
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Quality Assurance & Control
• Strategic Planning & Execution
• Process Improvements
• Change Management
• Six Sigma Methodologies
Professional Experience
Hollister, Inc., Libertyville, IL
Global Business Transformation & Program Director, Fit for Growth 2023 — 2024
Directed strategic SAP S/4HANA transformation for a global leader in medical products, rejuvenating a previously unsuccessful project through cohesive collaboration and innovative planning. Partnered with IT experts and consultants to define and refine strategies, project scope, and financial plans to ensure clear communication with executives for alignment on project goals and interdependencies. Introduced initiatives to equip employees with the necessary skills through targeted training, fostering a culture of adaptability and continuous learning. Implemented a global planning process to optimize departments, including corporate sales, operations, R&D, engineering, and supply chain to accurately project and fulfill market demands.
● Drove alignment of strategic goals and outcomes with international executive teams.
● Pioneered a turnaround for the SAP S/4HANA initiative after prior failures over four years.
● Led a comprehensive team comprising eight direct and 50 indirect reports in executing the transformation project.
● Oversaw a team of eight direct and 50 indirect reports, providing guidance to 50-member project teams across multiple continents.
● Oversaw project budgets and timelines, leading master planning and resource allocation across multiple stakeholders, departments, and vendor teams to ensure flawless execution and alignment with project goals.
● Built and mentored high-performing teams of project professionals, providing coaching on delivery excellence, scope control, and stakeholder engagement.
● Led project post-mortems and continuous improvement sessions to capture lessons learned and refine processes for future initiatives. Indianapolis, IN / Johannesburg, South Africa
Global Business Transformation and Deployment Director, Distribution, Cummins Indianapolis 2017 — 2023
Drove global operational transformation and financial optimization, transitioning across roles in finance, Six Sigma, and quality leadership across diverse regions, comprising U.S., Europe, and Africa/Middle East. Executed partnerships with executive teams and consulting firms
(Ernst & Young, Salesforce, McKinsey) to capitalize on large-scale efficiency and profitability initiatives. Advanced customer insights and system integrations by replacing outdated systems with SAP S/4HANA across Africa and Middle East. Enhanced financial transparency with unified accounting systems across multiple regions, leading to comprehensive global business insights.
● Laid groundwork for $500M revenue growth and $245M cost reduction through a broad customer-centric initiative.
● Secured $20M savings in Europe via the launch of a global B2B eCommerce platform for enhanced digital sales.
● Collaborated to develop an end-to-end SAP distribution solution for streamlined global processes, extending its adoption to Europe, APAC, and the Americas.
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● Managed four direct and 17 indirect reports, alongside project teams of up to 60 members worldwide.
● Collaborated with product, operations, creative, and technology teams to deliver integrated solutions across digital, print, and retail channels, ensuring strategic alignment and consistent execution.
● Built and mentored high-performing teams of project professionals, providing coaching on delivery excellence, scope control, and stakeholder engagement.
Quality Champion & Director, Cummins Africa & Middle East 2013 — 2017 Spearheaded quality assurance efforts by directing six leaders in enhancing processes and analyzing NPS for feedback-driven improvements. Synergized with executive team to advance strategic planning and cultivate a mindset focused on quality across three continents. Communicated importance of maintaining high standards and external client feedback adaptation in organizational practices. Executed post-implementation exercises to identify ongoing improvement opportunities and capture operational strengths.
● Achieved between $10M and $20M in efficiency savings through robust training programs and leadership development.
● Enhanced service productivity by 75% through gap analysis in Nigerian aftermarket sales and service operations.
● Orchestrated training and certification of 30 Black Belts, three Master Black Belts, and 500-600 Green Belts, directly contributing to efficiency savings.
● Steered the establishment of a quality organization as the sole Master Six Sigma Black Belt for the region, addressing cultural and business distinctions across Africa and the Middle East. Six Sigma Master Black Belt 2007 — 2013
Collaborated with leadership to define strategic goals, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Coordinated continuous improvement initiatives, analyzing their impact on business outcomes. Supported a team of 120, adapting Six Sigma training to meet diverse cultural and linguistic needs while advocating for the methodology's value to customers.
● Advanced from Finance Leader to Six Sigma Black Belt to Six Sigma Master Black Belt by demonstrating performance efforts that went above and beyond.
● Championed the introduction of Six Sigma processes across African, Middle Eastern, and European regions, serving as the first Master Black Belt in these areas.
● Developed customer-focused projects landing from zero to over 2K annually, implementing quality frameworks essential for ISO Certification at two sites.
● Attained Six Sigma Chairman's Award and Rio Tinto Business Impact Award by generating $15M in annual savings over three years and improving mine shoveling efficiency by 80%.
Additional Experience
Financial Director, Datanet, Johannesburg, South Africa Commercial Director, Datatech, New York, NY / Johannesburg, South Africa Education & Certifications
Higher Diploma, Theory of Accounting (BCTA)
University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Master of Business Administration
Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting Science
University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt
Certified Six Sigma Sponsor
SAFe 6 Agilist
AI Fundamentals for Non – Data Scientists
AI Applications in Marketing and Finance
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Community Leadership
Mentor, Girls, Inc.
Member, Steering Committee for United Way activities
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