KAILASH SEKHAR P
Program Manager
Chennai
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Program Manager with 17 years of experience in Program Management, complemented by a robust background in R&D within the automotive sector. Holds an MBA in Operations Management from SJMSOM, IIT Bombay, demonstrating a strong foundation in strategic planning and execution. Expertise in initiating, developing, and delivering successful New Product Development (NPD) projects, with a commitment to driving innovation and achieving organizational goals. Proven track record of fostering collaboration and leading cross-functional teams to exceed project objectives and enhance overall performance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
5
5
Languages
Work History
Head, PMO, R&D
TAFE Limited
05.2025 - Current
- Vector Pro (Project Management software) implementation for all NPI projects across TAFE & TAFE Motors & Tractors Ltd.
- NPI process improvement for reducing time to market & improve quality of new products.
Team Manager
ROYAL ENFIELD (A unit of Eicher Motors Ltd.)
09.2022 - 04.2025
- Worked as a Program Manager in Global Program Management(GPM) function.
- Updated the New Product Introduction (NPI) process for Royal Enfield in Mar'2022
- Written and published Master Project Standard (MPS), a guideline with best practices and standard processes from PMI for RE Program Managers to manage NPI projects effectively and efficiently
- Devised a Project Scoring system to measure the year end project scores of all RE NPI projects
- Identifying the gaps and pain points in the NPI process and defining Process Flows to address/improve them
- Value Stream Mapping of the workflows and tasks in NPI process, identifying NVAs and eliminating them. Reducing manual intervention and automating the processes wherever possible.
- Periodic maintenance & revision of RE NPI standard documents based on best practices and project learnings
- Cascading down the KPIs of Chief Program Manager(CPM) to direct reports & further levels down at the beginning of a financial year and track & monitor the month wise KPI adherence of all team members of GPM function. Represent the GPM function in Hoshin Kanri(HSK) audit twice in a year for compliance check
- Ensure IMS best practices are followed and complied by GPM function and represent GPM function in yearly IMS audit
Associate Consultant
TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Worked as Planning Lead, electric car project for Citroen(Stellantis).
- Planning & monitoring the execution of project activities
- Tracking project critical path, identify risks and mitigate them with corrective actions
Manager
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA FARM SECTOR
09.2013 - 09.2021
- Worked as Program Manager handling Domestic & Export projects of 50-75 hp tractor platform.
- Program management of R&D projects (new tractor platforms/variants/product refreshes) throughout the entire product life cycle (from project kick off till project closure)
- Finalize & sign off the time, scope, cost, and quality targets for the projects after taking the inputs & consensus of all stakeholders
- Meticulous preparation of Project Plans to meet the target timelines
- Coordinate the preparation of Business Case
- Manage, control & document scope changes with time, cost & quality impact
- Identify key risks, prepare risk mitigation plan and maintain risk register throughout the project lifecycle
- Control & monitor timelines, technical performance, budget, production, quality deliverables, and project documentation
- Preparation and presentation of monthly project status to The President & Senior VPs & escalation of critical issues with solutions to address them
- Adherence to stage-gate process of product development and ensuring gateway clearance for projects
- Project closure with proper documentation and handover
Business Development Manager
YASH TECHNOLOGIES
06.2012 - 08.2013
- Worked as Business Development Manager, handling marketing of entire Kerala region.
- Marketing SAP A-One, Business By Design(ByD) and Application, Maintenance & Support(AMS) of SAP products and services
- Interaction with CIO,GM and other executives of top management of various companies and close the business deals with them
Asst. Manager
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR
08.2006 - 05.2010
- Worked as an Assistant Manager in Driveline department, R&D.
- Understanding the voice of the customer & converting it into technical features through Quality Function Deployment(QFD)
- Design and analysis of transmission components as per the target requirements specified by the vehicle project team
- Co-ordination with Materials Management team for the development of components at minimum cost and intended quality
- Interaction with Production team to optimize and streamline the manufacturing processes of in-house made parts
- Co-ordination with foreign consultants (FEV, Germany and Ricardo, UK) during concept development and testing phase
- Collaboration with Quality department to ensure adherence to standard guidelines in the development phase of the project
- Interaction with other vehicle system teams to resolve interface issues and collaboratively improvise the design
- Procurement Planning of transmission parts for the prototype assembly based on the requirements from the vehicle team
- Inventory management of prototype parts using online system and generate purchase requisitions as per planned schedule
Education
Master of Management (M. Mgmt) - Operations management
Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management
01.2010 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) - Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering
01.2002 - 01.2006
Skills
Program Management
Strategic Planning
Project monitoring
Risk Management
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving
Business Process Improvement
Team management
Excellent communication
Certification
APICS - Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM): Basics of Supply Chain Mgmt
Accomplishments
- Best Excellence Igniter award (2017) in M&M
- Presented a research paper on "Aligning technology licensing strategies and business competitiveness-A case of photovoltaic technology firms in India" at PICMET'11 International conference in Portland, USA
- Nominated for the Outstanding Student paper award in PICMET'11 International conference by SJMSOM
- Recognized as ‘Top performer of the department’ by Mahindra & Mahindra in the year 2009(among top 2 out of 20 executives)
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Interested in cricket, participated in tournaments at college and organizational level
- Keen interest in photography, listening to music, watching Formula 1
Publications
- IEEE – “Aligning technology licensing strategies and business competitiveness: A case of photovoltaic technology firms in India” – 12th Sep'11
Timeline
Head, PMO, R&D
TAFE Limited
05.2025 - Current
Team Manager
ROYAL ENFIELD (A unit of Eicher Motors Ltd.)
09.2022 - 04.2025
Associate Consultant
TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES
09.2021 - 09.2022
Manager
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA FARM SECTOR
09.2013 - 09.2021
Business Development Manager
YASH TECHNOLOGIES
06.2012 - 08.2013
Master of Management (M. Mgmt) - Operations management
Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management
01.2010 - 01.2012
Asst. Manager
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR
08.2006 - 05.2010
Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) - Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering
01.2002 - 01.2006
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