Megharaj Chandrashekaramath

As a Logistics Project Manager at Apple, I oversee the Apple Finished Goods projects, ensuring the seamless integration and communication of business systems and processes across multiple stakeholders and platforms.

Manage end-to-end logistics projects, including planning, coordination, and execution, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business objectives.
Oversee project phases from mobilization and requirements gathering to UAT, cutover, go-live, and golden transaction support.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams across APAC, EMEIA, and the US, fostering communication and alignment across different regions.
Conduct regular project reviews and facilitate stakeholder meetings to address logistics performance, resolve issues, and implement improvements.
Utilize project management methodologies, including both Agile and Waterfall, to adapt to project needs and ensure efficient execution.
Monitor logistics milestones in systems such as SAP and across other ERP platforms.
Coordinate with third-party logistics providers (3PLs) to streamline shipping processes and improve overall supply chain performance.

Supply Chain Risk Monitoring

• Review daily alerts, identify potential events.
• Analyze the potential events with 3PLs and Molex sites.
• Identify shipments which will have potential delay.
• Change the Route code in consultation with planning team.
• Communicate to Transportation Lead team on the potential impact of the identified event.

RFQ & Cost Analysis

• Raise Forecast requests and consolidate forecast from Molex plants.
• Float forecast data to various 3PLs for bidding.
• Develop the dashboard using the power BI for analytics of the lowest, incumbent and market benchmark rate.
• Finalize the lane awards and communicate to the 3PLs with validity period.

Shipment Visibility

• Identify key shipment milestones which will cover end to end visibility.
• Map the milestones in in consultation with Infor Nexus and 3PLs.
• Develop the dashboard using the power BI for analytics of the low performing milestones region wise.
• Review the milestone transmission performance in infor nexus and highlight key pain points to 3PLs.
• Request the EDI files from 3PLs to validate with Infor nexus and communicate with 3PLs to correct in the next EDI transmission.

Control Tower Operations

• Monitor shipments globally at various stages starting from PGI to GR.
• Escalate to 3PLs and Molex site to seek feedback to find the root cause, work closely with regional manager to mitigate the delay.
• Use Control Tower as a an additional tool to proactively monitor the shipment milestone performance.

Spot Quote Request

• Raise the Spot request with 3PLs for the lanes not available in the standard RFQ process.
• Compare the rates among various 3PLs and finalize the award.
• Communicate the lane award to the respective 3PLs.

Process Optimization

• Identify opportunity for automation of the process where repetitive and manual work is being followed.
• Compare the hours before and after automation and arrive the savings aligning to economic thinking.

Stakeholder Requirements

• Discuss with stakeholders and understand the project requirements.
• Finalize the requirement and create a project charter for sign off.
• Identify team members with potential skills based on the project requirement.
• Assign the project to the identified team and layout the project plan.
• Track the project status weekly/biweekly based on the urgency.

Parts Planning and Supplier Collaboration

• Managed expediting of critical parts from diverse suppliers and interplant facilities on a daily basis, aligning with customer requirements
• Demonstrated proficiency in creating and releasing purchase orders to suppliers with updated data
• Authorized pull of parts from production facilities based on criticality
• Supported New Parts Introduction (NPI) by collaborating with suppliers to ensure timely availability before launch
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams (Global purchasing, Inventory management, Quality, and Engineering) to resolve critical part issues

Effective Demand and Supply Chain Management

• Managed forecast and demand coverage across Caterpillar's network using DRPr, with a deep understanding of bill of distribution
• Supplier Management and Performance Enhancement:
• Monitored supplier production schedules and addressed EDI data mismatches, ensuring on-time delivery
• Negotiated with suppliers for early shipments to accommodate unplanned demand spikes

Inventory and Transportation Management

• Efficiently maintained minimum inventory levels through De-expediting process and supplier-driven inventory strategies

Vendor Development

• Led vendor identification, selection, and performance enhancement initiatives, fostering competitive environment
• Conducted pre-qualification of vendors, executed necessary agreements, including EHS audits
• Supported suppliers to ensure delivery adherence and quality compliance, with focus on converting trial orders into scheduled orders
• Provided training to suppliers on purchase order, quality, drawing, and specification requirements

Cost Estimation and Price Negotiation

• Developed cost estimates for new products/parts, including estimation of Bill of Materials (BOM) cost
• Tracked commodity prices and made recommendations for price claims
• Data Analysis and Reporting:
• Generated and analyzed Inflation & Deflation reports monthly using Oracle 11i e-business Suite applications
• Prepared and analyzed monthly copper consumption reports
• Monitored and reported on-time delivery performance of suppliers

Compliance and Safety Management

• Conducted EHS audits at Interplant and supplier sites, ensuring compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations
• Effectively communicated audit findings to suppliers and monitored prompt closure of identified issues
• Reviewed documentation from Pollution Control Boards, MSDS sheets, and safety drills
• Worked to improve safety practices on machines and material handling and managed procurement of PPEs based on plant requirements.