IT Director
Samra International DMCC
Total years of experience :34 years, 1 Months
Established in 1941, Samra commemorates the third generation of family jewelers and is preceded by the family’s impeccable reputation and history in the gold and diamond industry. Samra International DMCC is the worldwide manufacturer and distributor for Versace Fine Jewelry with Manufacturing plants in Dubai and Bangkok.
Implemented centralized ERP within the group (Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3) with a strong focus on Finance, Retail, Manufacturing, and logistics, delivering reduced warehousing cost. Further 2 instances/entities deployed at a reduced cost of the original project.
Implemented and Managed delivery of eCommerce activities including activation of local and regional promotions SEO, PPC, on-site retailing, Shipping and Logistics, Payment Gateway integration, social media, and more. Deep functional and technical knowledge of e-commerce business, IT operations management, enterprise application deployment, change management, and project delivery.
Delivery of Annual Budget Savings YOY through vendor rationalization, outsourcing of IT operations, and launch of unified comms and collaboration platform.
Implemented the HRMS System and HR Employee Self Service portal reducing HR transactional costs and increasing the speed of services to employees from days to hours. Ensure IT services and initiatives are aligned with business objectives. Manage the selection and delivery of new technologies.
Ensured the projects are delivered on time and within budget while ensuring stable and efficient operation of all IT services provided to the organization, partners, and clients.
Defined and monitored Service and Operational Level (SLA/OLA) performance for IT services against agreed levels, and managed remediation actions when necessary.
Implemented Disaster recovery and business continuity for the group.
Developed and Implemented IT Policies and Procedures.
Ensured operational services comply with organizational standards and policies.
Ensured IT resources, capabilities, and capacity meet both existing and new business demands.
Continuous service improvement.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive relationships with team members and other team members of the organization.
Responsible for identifying, evaluating, and recommending all IT vendors and contractual agreements, in turn, obtaining a 12% reduction on the annual license of the Microsoft Enterprise contract management of channels, suppliers, technology & business partners.
Experienced in service strategy and operations (ITIL V3 Certified).
Head of IT Operations (IT Infrastructure, Security, Network & Service Delivery )
Responsible for the day to day IT requirements of the company such as user management, troubleshooting. Maintaining desktop applications, local area networks, IT security, and telecommunications.
Duties / Tasks
Strengthening the IT infrastructure by implementing new technologies.
Responsible for hardware and software installation, maintenance.
Performing routine audits of systems and software.
Manage the IT budgets and expenditure on hardware and software.
Developing & maintaining the company IT systems, software, and databases.
Recommending and implementing improvements and efficiencies.
Evaluate, test, advise, train and support I.T. related projects.
Procurement of IT hardware, software, and maintenance products & services.
Bureau Veritas Middle East Region Oct 1999 to Jan 2005
Regional IT Manager
Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas is a global leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC), delivering high-quality services to help clients meet the growing challenges of quality, safety, environmental protection and social responsibility. As a trusted partner, Bureau Veritas offers innovative solutions that go beyond simple compliance with regulations and standards, reducing risk, improving performance, and promoting sustainable development.
Group Key Facts & Figures:
- Revenue: €3.9 billion
- 59, 000 employees,
- 1, 330 offices and laboratories, in 140 countries
Responsibilities/Tasks
Engage/partner with executive management by proactively aligning enterprise technology solutions for business, products, and strategies.
Implemented ERP (JD Edwards) Within the Region ( 9 countries).
Setup IT Departments within the region with Dubai as the Regional Data Centre.
Developed strategic plans to lead cost efficiency and process improvement initiatives involving
business and IT leaders. implement and track KPI’s, SLA’s, and budget spend to deliver business value through technology solutions, assets and services improving alignment and visibility across the
organization.
Proactively collaborate with internal and external IT business partners on strategic initiatives to research long-term IT solutions in the areas of CRM, Field Service and other Application
Lifecycle Management and Infrastructure Technology Services.
Provide management oversight/direction for IT control audits, Disaster Recovery, process mapping, process improvement and IT project implementations.
Provide IT leadership in ensuring adherence to Regional/Global Governance standards.
Lead, develop, inspire, and nurture the team of technology professionals to create centers of technological excellence and build resource talent pool to meet future business needs.
Started as their IT Manager for Dubai and then promoted to the position of their Regional IT Manager, In-charge of the entire Middle East IT operations, of the organization. Which includes managing the IT departments in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
Bureau Veritas Middle east July 1997 to Oct 1999
IT Manager
Design, Develop and maintain IT Department
Strategize, plan, develop and implement the company’s IT infrastructure and budget.
Recruit, manage, and mentor the IT support team.
Evaluate user needs and system functionality.
Ensure that the IT Department meets the needs of the end-users with appropriate advice & support.
Introducing and installing new system upgrades and security backups for hardware and software systems.
Ensure the smooth running of all the systems, including anti-virus software, print services, e-mail, and Applications.
Adhere the software licensing laws.
Provide secure access to network and Application for remote users.
Manage crisis situations, this may involve complex technical hardware or software problems.
Oversee troubleshooting, system backups, archiving, disaster recovery Testing, and provide expert support whenever necessary.
Build and maintain vendor relationships
Manage the purchasing of all software, hardware and other IT supplies.
Ensure that company assets are well maintained.
Updating and upgrading with the latest in Technologies.
Thomsun Computer International Sept. 1994 to July 1997
Manager Networking and Communication
One of the trusted names in system integration, LAN and WAN solutions.
Headed the Networking and Connectivity division which involves
installation and support of L.A.N Internet / Intranet and L.A.N to Host (AS/400, System 36), Connectivity products from Farabi, Eicon Cisco and Netsoft,
Liasioning with different vendors and Principals, Customer
support, Trouble shooting of all networking and Connectivity Products which includes, LAN's, Gateways, Routers etc. Product Sourcing /Testing, Post Installation and Support, for Corporate Customers.
Technical Associate: 1990 April
In charge of Company's LAN, W.A.N Division at Madras working with a Team of 8 Technical and Marketing Executives. providing LAN to LAN and LAN to HOST connectivity solutions to various customers throughout India.
Apcom Computers Pvt Ltd. Jan 1991 to Aug 1994
Manager Networking
In-charge of Networking and Connectivity Division, Providing customer support, scheduling activities of Support Engineers, In house trouble shooting, with additional responsibility in terms of setting up and maintaining a full fledged service/ Warranty centre, Which involved recruiting H/W engineers and procuring the necessary equipment's from Singapore. Evaluation and Testing of new products was also handled by this Division.
In-charge of Networking and Connectivity Division,
Providing customer support, scheduling activities of Support Engineers, In house trouble shooting, with additional responsibility in terms of setting up and maintaining a full fledged service/ Warranty centre,
Was involved in recruiting H/W engineers, selecting and procuring equipment’s from Singapore.
Evaluation and Testing of new products was also handled by this Division.
ISMS Lead Auditor Course
IRCA QMS Lead Auditor Course
Microsoft SNA Server
LAN to AS/400 Connectivity Solutions
Post Graduate Diploma in Systems Management From National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) . Madras, INDIA 1988 Mar. to 1990 Sept.
B.A. Sociology, Madras University, Madras, INDIA. 1986 Jun. to 89 June