Business oriented and non-traditional IT Management executive who is well experienced in utilizing technology to improve business processes, incorporate required controls with data transparency and bringing the data integrity. Who is having experience in all facets of Information Technology and managed 8+ times business process re-engineering projects through ERP implementations. Have experienced with Microsoft Dynamics AX, Navision, GP also with Epicor, iScala, QAD Mfg/Pro ERPs. However, who believes business process sits on top of any ERP and the right mapping of the requirements to the ERP is the real challenge which requires experience, knowledge and maturity.
Have worked in all three verticals of IT i.e., IT Project Management (Managed several Digital Transformation, ERP implementations, HR/ Payroll implementations, Infrastructure Upgrades and Business Intelligence Project in diversified industries including retail bank i.e., ANZ Grindlays (now Std. Chartered bank) where I have served as an Analyst Programmer and core Banc system admin for 5 years and therefore having clear knowledge about business processes of retail banking of all the departments including remittance, deposits, credit, cash, clearing (inward/ outward), locker. Have designed credit and locker management systems, responsible for audits. However, from 2005 onwards I am managing different IT projects, IT Governance (designed and implemented group level IT policies and procedures, risk identification and its management, provided IT direction to remain aligned with corporate Governance), IT Service Management (Service Desk, Technical, Operational and Application Management, Vendor Management, Change Management, Demand Management, Service Portfolio Management, Business Relationship Management, Information Security Management, Release and Deployment Management, Team Management), Academically, having Master Degree in Computer Science along with certifications in Prince2 Practitioner, ITIL V3 Foundation, ISO/ IEC 20000 - ITSM, Java.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Head of IT Aug 2017 – Present
Starwood Industries LLC – EMAAR INVESTMENT GROUP
Dubai – UAE
Reports to CEO.
Providing guideline/ roadmap for alignment of technology with corporate goals. Interacting with other functional heads to understand their business requirements and where technology can play its role. Managing different system/ ERP implementation projects including MS Dynamics NAVISION, CAD+T Engineering system, Doccept – Document Management System, Reviewing MS Dynamics CRM as a potential project. Designing IT budget in line of corporate objectives. Creating IT Procedures/ Policies in line of ITIL best practices. Moving towards cloud based solutions. Providing guideline/ supervision for day-to-day operations. Vendor management, SLA/ agreements, hiring, motivating, grooming of staff.
IT Applications Manager Jan 2017 – Jul 2017
IMG – Worlds of Adventure (World’s largest indoor theme park)
Dubai – UAE
Reports to CIO
Managing MS AX ERP implementation along with its integrations to front-end systems. Additionally, managing business critical/ revenue generating systems including ticketing, F&B, Retail which are running on different POS, HHT, desktop etc.
Managed technology based cross/ upselling projects which significantly increases the revenue. Managing projects as well as operations through a team of internal and external resources. Managing suppliers/ consultants and ensuring getting support/ services as per agreed SLAs. Reviewing vendor agreements/ AMCs. Having close coordination with internal/ external customers and providing solutions to their business problems. Involve in staffing/ training/ coaching of team members.
Manager Business Systems Department Dec 2013 – Nov 2016
DNO International (Norwegian Oil & Gas - E & P Company), Dubai-UAE
Reports to Oslo based CIO
Assisting Project Manager for ERP implementation across 6 countries in 4 different time zones while interacting more than 10 nationalities.
Implemented centralized IT service desk through web based ticketing system across DNO. Performing close monitoring and administrating task of IT Service Desk while making sure that agreed SLAs should be honored. Delivered effective support of all business systems including EPICOR ERP, EPICOR HCM, ISCALA PAYROLL, Contract Management System, Invoice Approval System etc. Organized several user trainings for business systems. Arranging 3rd party contracts for certain IT tasks. Successfully delivered different IT processes as per ITIL which includes Service Desk, Problem Management, Business Relationship Management, Incident & Deployment Management, Change Management and other related processes. Personally handling critical tasks of system administration and user security. Reviewing & approving systems interface architecture and ensuring data integrity and security should not be compromised. Interacting with senior management/ departmental heads to understand their business IT needs and work from planning till delivery. Close monitoring of licensing requirements/ renewals, supplier agreements, team building/ staffing, supplier management, preparing annual budgets (CAPEX/ OPEX), auditing, using MS SharePoint for document management system.
Regional IT Manager, UAE & Saudi Arabia Sep 2008 – Oct 2013
Building Solutions Sector, Al-Rajhi Holdings, RAK-UAE
Reports to Sector COO
Building solution sector is mainly concerned with building construction companies e.g., Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEB), Cladding, Interior Designing/ Furniture, pre-casting, water proofing, gypsum board manufacturing, these activities are being performed in 7 different manufacturing facilities located in RAK-UAE and Yanbu-KSA. Having project centric and make-to-order business environment. Successfully managed project of implementation of Epicor ERP to 6 sector companies. Interacting directly with Epicor US/ UK/ UAE for Mabani Steel implementation. Also implemented iScala Payroll, centralized service desk, MS Exchange, 24x7 server room, network upgrades, disaster recovery plan/ procedure, IT Policy & procedures, IT security measures vetted by E&Y – external auditors. Head of IT Division
Adamjee Insurance Company Limited, Karachi-Pakistan Mar 2005 - Aug 2008
Reports to CEO
Transformed AICL from stone-age to most modern IT driven insurance company of the region by implementing state-of-the-art web based Insurance ERP (PREMIA) across HO and 50+ branch network in Pakistan and Dubai. Setting up a new trend in insurance business in the sub-continent region and utilizing Information Technology at its best including web interface, mobile SMS, workflows, document management, 24x7 server room, implemented Merimen motor claim system, bancassurance, IT Policies/ procedures etc. Availability of real time underwriting and claim ratios. Formalized an effective winning team in IT department. Implemented ITIL based best practices in all sections of IT including service desk. Managing end-to-end IT sections i.e., Operations, Projects, Governance.
Systems Analyst Nov 1999 – Feb 2005
Unilever Pakistan Ltd., Karachi-Pakistan
Reports to Business Systems Manager
Provided quality user support function as per agreed SLA in tea, ice-cream, soapry and cooking oil business segments. Being an effective communicator I was become prime trainer from my team. Enjoyed while establishing excellent working relationship with the users due to customer focused approach. Providing MFG/PRO ERP support, delivered number of ERP and BI trainings to all level of users. Designed several Business Intelligence universes while using SAP BO.
Analyst Programmer/ System & Network Administrator Aug 1994 – Aug 1999
ANZ Grindlays Bank, Karachi-Pakistan
Reports to Application Development Manager
Effective support provided to branch users including LAN (Novell Netware), administration of core banking (PC Banc) system, updating of master data, maintaining user security, responsible for internal/ external audits, providing trainings to new hires, performing daily/ monthly/ yearly run for
business closing, performing start-of-the-day and end-of-the-day processes, daily backups etc., in line of strict ITIL compliant environment. In recognition of my outstanding performance in Y2K project, Melbourne HO had provided cash award along with recognition certificate.