Manager, Marketing Operations
Resume:
ROBERT M. GAURA
Raleigh, NC 27616
*******@*****.***
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PROGRAM / OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
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Staff Management - Budget & Resource Prioritization - Business Operations Turnaround
Insightful and solution-focused management professional with a track record of streamlining operations to enhance staff productivity and morale, reduce costs,
improve inventory control, and revitalize underperforming operations. Demonstrated
success developing and leading high-performing teams and coordinating
cross-organizational resources to achieve program, project, and business goals. Core
competencies include:
* Program & Project Management
* Asset Management & Inventory Control
* Operational Leadership
* Staff Training & Development
* Budget Development & Cost Control
* Technical Innovation
* Capital & Expense Planning
* Customer Relationship Management
* Continuous Improvement
* Marketing Operations & Pre-sales Support
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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IBM CORPORATION – Research Triangle Park, NC 1981 to 2009
Manager, Marketing Operations, Storage Systems (2004 to 2009)
Managed a team of 7 marketing operations professionals who supported the Storage
Division with monthly analyses of product pipeline data, competitive analyses,
product launch readiness assessments, product demonstrations and customer briefings. Performed expense tracking / forecasting and funding reviews, conducted internal
product launch compliance audits, and tracked action items, supporting 7 senior
divisional executives.
* Organized and executed 4 worldwide system storage advisory councils for customer
executives and business partners to discuss product trends, gather requirements, and
gain feedback on potential new products.
* Analyzed the division’s annual funding priorities formulated recommendations and
analyses of head count costs and program expenses and developed periodic reports for
executive management.
* Quickly resolved funding questions and reviews by outside organizations for senior
marketing executive, identifying top funding priorities and ensuring adherence to
contractual obligations
Manager, Innovation Center, ISV & Developer Relations (1999 to 2004)
Managed 2 IBM Innovation Centers (Chicago and San Mateo) to enable independent
software vendors (ISVs) to port, test, and tune their applications on IBM hardware
and software platforms. Oversaw the day-to-day operations, supervised a staff of 35
technical, marketing, and managerial personnel at each site, and collaborated with
ISVs to publish results.
* Successfully developed and opened highly publicized Chicago Innovation Center
within 8 months, designing network infrastructure and earning recognition from mayor
for bringing new technology to the city.
* Assumed the role of manager for San Mateo center, the largest of 13 worldwide
facilities and reestablished the center’s reputation as the leader in ISV enablement
within 18 months increased the number of ISV enablements by more than 50% and
reduced capital inventory loss from 8.9% to less than 0.1%
* Boosted team morale by resolving many personnel issues and increasing educational
opportunities.
* Developed new scheduling procedures that enabled the center to maximize use of
available equipment and reduce overall equipment expenditures.
Senior Project Manager (1998 to 1999)
Project Manager (1997 to 1998)
Developed and managed ServerProven Program to help independent software vendors
(ISVs) validate their applications on IBM’s Intel line of servers.
* Led initiative to streamline validation process, requirements, and legal
documentation required for partner participation to facilitate rapid program
expansion from 25 to several thousand ISVs within 2 years as the pilot program
gained acceptance in the ISV community.
* Co-created ServerProven Program for Netfinity and xSeries to establish IBM Intel
servers as a viable alternative in the marketplace and improve customer confidence
in product compatibility with business applications.
System Architect / Technical Consultant (1995 to 1997)
Consulted with customers in aerospace, power generation, rubber products, and
storage devices on how modifying ProductManager (IBM’s product data management
application) could solve the unique challenges encountered in their engineering and
manufacturing environments.
* Conceptualized and developed ProductManager, IBM’s solution for handling product
data and managing that data between the engineering and manufacturing environments.
* Partnered with customers to gather requirements, modify application, and implement
custom software solutions in engineering and manufacturing environments to improve
cross-facility data-sharing.
IT Support Professional (1994 to 1995)
Provided technical support to over 50 people; resolved all technical questions
related to software applications.
* Designed and managed a small local network for a channel development and marketing
organization.
Senior Marketing Support Representative (1992 to 1994)
Worked with universities, software vendors, and customers in migrating high
performance applications to IBM hardware platforms, including mainframes, UNIX
workstations, and Intel environments as part of the Engineering and Scientific
Support Center.
* Served as team leader for Technical Computing Solutions in Earth and Environmental
Sciences, including 3090 vector facility and RISC cluster / server product
offerings.
Early Experience: Progressed through early roles with IBM as a Senior Associate
Scientist, Early Support Program Coordinator, Market Development Planner, and
Product Planner, developing strengths in new product identification, requirements
and marketplace definition, customer relationship management and technical problem
solving.
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EDUCATION & TRAINING
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Doctoral Coursework in Chemistry – WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY – Pullman, WA
Master of Science in Chemistry STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT PLATTSBURGH – Plattsburgh, NY
Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT PLATTSBURGH – Plattsburgh, NY
American Management Association Certification Program (in progress)
Professional Development
Completed more than 200 hours of continuing education in the following areas:
Technical Management
Project Management
Quality Practices
Consulting & Management Training Data Analysis
Microsoft Office/Lotus Notes
Technical Proficiencies
Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint & Outlook
Lotus Smart Suite
Lotus Notes
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PUBLICATIONS
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Co-authored over 15 scientific articles which were published in chemistry and chemical physics journals. Authored two application briefs applying magnetic resonance techniques to analyze moisture and oil content in various materials.
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COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & INVOLVEMENT
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Marshals Co-chair & Marshal at Rex Hospital Open Golf Tournament (2004 to 2010)
Transportation, US Women’s Open (2007)
Marshal, Charles Schwab Cup Championship (2000)
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