Prasad R

Result-oriented professional with robust background in program management and new product introduction. Known for driving projects to successful completion while fostering team collaboration and adaptability. Reliable and committed to delivering impactful results, leveraging strong organizational and communication skills to exceed expectations.

Successfully managed and executed programs for Caterpillar, Visteon, STELLANTIS, Mahindra, Renault Nissan and Mitsubishi, collaborating with cross-functional teams from concept phase to industrialization. I have also demonstrated expertise in quality assurance and control, layout optimization, Manufacturing engineering, process & facility planning, simultaneous engineering, productivity improvement, and cost management. My goal is to deliver innovative and customer-centric solutions that meets global market requirements and achieve organizational excellence., Program & Launch Management, Product Development, Delivery Management, Planning & Cost Management

Program /Project Management

• Lead Vehicle Programs (Renault Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mahindra & Stellantis) from Project Advance phase to SOP by keenly collaborating with key stakeholders like Product Design, Sourcing, Validation, Vehicle Performance, SCM and Industrial teams to have successful Launch of New Models meeting Quality, Cost & Delivery Targets in consistent with the contractual scope, standards & Specifications.
• Lead NPI for Caterpillar India, managing introduction of 3 New Products at Tiruvallur Facility. Responsible for Industrialization & facility transformations required for the projects collaborating with all business stakeholders.
• Lead Product Development of IVI System involving Hardware, Software, Mechanical & Display Optics for SKODA VW Global Projects
• Prepared Project Business Cases and proposals by understanding Project requirements from Product Strategy team.
• Established Project Master Schedule in MSP with detailed planning, Scheduling, to monitor & control key projects milestones and Deliverables.
• Successfully driven Projects by creating & reviewing Program L2 & L3 Plan with Key Project Stakeholders.
• Lead Program Milestone/Gate Reviews and reported Program measurables through Management Dashboards.
• Established Product sourcing plan and piloted the proceedings from RFQ phase until Tool Kick and ensured Parts Delivery against the Parts Maturity plan.
• Prepared & managed Overall Project Budget with regular tracking there by ensuring Project Financials (EBITDA, IRR & Material Margin)is within approved Project Target.
• Identified Critical Path in the Project & Effectively managed Project RIO (Risk/Issue/opportunities) mitigation and Corrective action plan & monitored until closure.
• Managed Project PIC (Proposal/Ideas/Changes) with complete analysis with cross-functional teams & tabled the impact to Project Financials.
• Established Change Management Process during Project Phase to have right track of ECNs until SOP.
• Formulated Project DVP plan to have robust Validation plan across the Project Phase to have First Time Right Launch
• Lead Program Pilot Builds with intended parts maturity for each Trial Phases & ensured proper Feedback Cycle to have seamless product launch.
• Drove Project QRQE reviews (Quick Response Quality Engineering) to identify and resolve build Quality/Process/Design issues during Trial Stages & conducted effective PDCA to have Process and Product Convergence & achieve Project KPI with 100% OTD.
• Piloted Homologation Certifications, Android Auto & Car Play certifications for the Projects.
• Improved Program Cost by working along with CFT’s generating VAVE ideas & improving Material Margin.
• Managed Customer relationships, identified and supported for new business opportunities.

Operations/Functional Management

• Project Launch leader - Executed Vehicle Projects by collaborating with Body Shop, Paint Shop & Vehicle assembly Shop for New Model and Minor Model Launches.
• Lead System Engineering team & worked along with Client Partners across ISU to bring in New Business Opportunities across US, Europe & Asia Pacific
• Worked on multiple opportunities like Productivity Improvement, Line Transfer, Line Balancing & Throughput optimization, Material Handling System by giving Frugal Engineering Concepts & Solutions.
• Piloted Industrialization Plan and lead Manufacturing Engineering team for Green Field Project to Establish Process and New facilities/ upgrade facilities, Jigs, Fixtures, Sub Stations for New Projects.
• Spearheaded Project Upstream activities from Plant include front loading activities like Simultaneous Engineering, Facility confirmation & workstation simplification activities.
• Ensured plant readiness with micro planning and regular reviews for Process, Tools, Skids, Pallets, Conveyors & EOL Equipment’s.
• Handled Multi-Model manufacturing line to streamline vehicle assembly process through integrated production management system.
• Established Change Management Process through 4M mechanism (Man /Machine /Method /Material) to facilitate smooth change over process in production line.
• Responsible for preparing CAPEX proposals sheets with Return on Investments / Pay back Calculations for new equipment’s.
• Drove facility expansion for capacity planning and expansion of body shop and Assembly shop engineering activities; support Engineering challenges and changes, VA/VE proposals with strict timelines and achieved in-house & supplier cost reduction.
• Facilitated Project Contracts with 3rd Party Agencies on need basis in Product development and ensured delivery in line to project schedules as per the scope defined.

• Appreciation & Award received for managing and launching Infotainment Project for VW South Africa on time within Visteon CFT’s spread across India/China/Germany.
• Appreciation & Award received for developing detailed Master Schedule for Mahindra New Thar (W 501).
• Best Performance Award for Streamlining Change Management System in Renault Nissan.
• Best Performance/Appreciation Award received for the effective implementation of Material movement for Q-car Manufacturing Line @ Hindustan Motors – Mitsubishi Cars.
• Best Performance/Appreciation Award received for Developing Jigs & Fixtures for CAT CON Assembly In-house @ Hindustan Motors – Mitsubishi Cars.