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Sarat Sasi - Project Manager

[email protected]

Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Relocation:

Visa: H1B

Summary With over 15 years of proven experience spanning logistics, retail and financial services I bring a robust skill set in program, project, and delivery management. I specialize in Agile methodologies, systems integration, and cross-functional collaboration, with expertise in managing budgets up to $10M and leading teams across geographically dispersed locations. Leveraging strong business and technical acumen, I have consistently delivered high-value projects within strict timelines, driving measurable outcomes. My effective leadership and problem-solving abilities have ensured organizational goal attainment and a proven track record of achieving client satisfaction. Skills Project and Program management Tech Program Management Tech Project Management Delivery Management Product Management Scrum/Kanban/SAFe Gap Analysis Requirement Gathering Process Improvement and Innovation Testing and Automation Test Management (HP ALM, JIRA, Confluence) Test Automation Frameworks (QTP/UFT, Selenium) API and Web Services Testing Performance Testing and Monitoring Test Centers of Excellence (TCOE) Implementation Data-Driven Testing Defect Management and Triaging Regression, Functional, and Integration Testing Batch Job Automation Domain Expertise Retail and E-Commerce (RMS, OMS, PLM) Logistics and Supply Chain Management Financial Services Labeling and Artwork Management Learning Management Systems (LMS) Customer Payment Solutions (Klarna) Inventory and Warehouse Management General Ledger and Financial Systems Stakeholder Management Contracts Management Root Cause Analysis Financial Administration Conflict Management Risk Management Supply Chain Management Decision Making under Pressure Adaptability and Resilience Leadership and Communication Cross-Functional Team Collaboration Client Relationship Management Workshop and Training Facilitation Escalation Management Team Leadership and Mentoring Effective Communication and Reporting Storytelling for Stakeholder Engagement Technology and Tools ServiceNow (Ticketing and SLA Management) Microsoft Project Smartsheet Postman (API Testing) IBM Order Management System (OMS) Oracle Product LifeCycle Management (PLM) AWS Klarna Payments Java OKTA IAM TPRM One Trust Power BI (Dashboards and Reporting) Artwork Labeling Tool Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) SAP (Accounts Payable/Receivable, General Ledger) Borland Database Retalix and Fuel Management Software Jenkins, Git, SVN (Version Control) Agile Methodology Cross-Functional Collaboration Order Management Accounts Receivables/Payables General Ledger Software Development KPIs/OKRs Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Analytical and Strategic Planning Experience PROJECT MANAGER| SVATS INC Since Sept2018 Client: ODW LOGISTICS, BIGLOTS, TMARZETTI, ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH Managed end-to-end release processes for four development teams, overseeing weekly deployments and ensuring adherence to timelines, with zero critical post-release issues. Handled ServiceNow ticket management and SLA adherence for client requests and incidents, achieving a 95%+ SLA compliance rate and improving ticket resolution efficiency. Led governance calls and GCAB review meetings, successfully aligning client priorities with project goals and securing additional work, resulting in increased client engagement and trust. Directed "sprint of sprint" meetings for cross-functional alignment, overseeing Scrum Masters who led individual team ceremonies. This streamlined agile processes across four projects, enhancing team coordination and reducing sprint delays. Compiled and presented weekly progress reports for the entire team, providing stakeholders with clear visibility into project status, resource utilization, and risk mitigation. Led multiple new implementation projects, from concept calls to execution, conducting workshops and gathering requirements to ensure accurate project scope. Delivered projects within budget and on time, increasing customer satisfaction. Partnered with presales and sales teams to support new project opportunities, preparing project charters and detailed Microsoft Project plans that contributed to a 20% increase in project approvals. Managed escalations effectively, resolving critical issues promptly to maintain project momentum and uphold client satisfaction. Conducted project workshops with stakeholders, gathering and documenting requirements, and translating them into actionable project plans, ensuring alignment with client expectations. Maintained strong governance practices across all projects, improving process compliance and project delivery quality through structured governance calls and performance tracking Implemented IBM Order Management System (OMS): Led the end-to-end implementation of IBM OMS, enhancing order processing efficiency and accuracy across the organization. Developed and Executed Test Cases using Postman: Created comprehensive test scenarios and utilized Postman for API testing, ensuring seamless integration between OMS and other enterprise systems. Validated OMS Business Rules: Analyzed and validated OMS rules to align with business requirements, improving order fulfillment processes and reducing errors. Utilized System Center Service Manager (SCSM): Managed incident and service request processes through SCSM, enhancing IT service delivery and support responsiveness. Managed Inventory Systems: Oversaw inventory management operations, optimizing stock levels and reducing discrepancies by implementing best practices and system enhancements. Collaborated with Cross-Functional Teams: Worked closely with development, QA, and operations teams to ensure successful deployment and functionality of OMS solutions. Optimized Operational Workflows: Identified bottlenecks in existing processes and implemented solutions that increased operational efficiency. Provided Training and Support: Conducted training sessions for team members on OMS functionalities and best practices, fostering a knowledgeable and efficient team environment. Monitored System Performance: Regularly analyzed system metrics and performance data to proactively address issues and improve system reliability. Facilitated Stakeholder Communication: Coordinated with key stakeholders to gather requirements, provide updates, and ensure project objectives were met on time and within budget. Implemented Oracle Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Successfully led the deployment of Oracle PLM, streamlining product development processes, managing product data, and ensuring compliance across the product lifecycle. Enhanced Collaboration Across Teams: Improved collaboration between R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain teams using Oracle PLM, ensuring seamless data sharing and alignment of product strategies. Optimized Product Data Management: Developed and implemented best practices for managing product data, reducing errors, and enhancing product development timelines. Streamlined Regulatory Compliance: Utilized Oracle PLM tools to ensure all products met regulatory requirements, minimizing risks and maintaining high-quality standards. Improved Change Management Processes: Automated and standardized change management workflows in Oracle PLM, increasing efficiency and reducing process cycle times. Implemented New HRIS Solution: Spearheaded the deployment of a modern Human Resource Information System (HRIS), improving employee data management, payroll accuracy, and reporting capabilities. Power BI Implementation: Directed the rollout of Power BI dashboards and reporting tools, enabling data-driven decision-making and enhancing visibility into business metrics. Deployed New Labeling Tool (Artwork): Implemented Artwork, a labeling solution to standardize and streamline the creation of product labels, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and improving time-to-market. Introduced New Payment Solution (Klarna): Successfully implemented Klarna as a new payment method, providing customers with flexible payment options and enhancing the overall checkout experience. Led Cross-Functional Integration Efforts: Collaborated with development, finance, and operations teams to integrate Klarna into existing systems, ensuring seamless functionality and compliance. Improved Payment Processing Workflows: Streamlined payment processing by aligning Klarna s features with organizational workflows, reducing transaction time and improving efficiency. Enhanced Customer Payment Options: Expanded payment options to include buy-now-pay-later functionality, increasing customer satisfaction and boosting sales. Ensured Compliance and Security: Conducted thorough testing and validation of Klarna integration to meet security standards and regulatory requirements. Launched the OKTA Identity & Access Management (IAM) for 40+ applications, enhancing security protocols and user access. Introduced New Payment Solution (Klarna) for Abercrombie and Fitch: Successfully implemented Klarna as a new payment method, providing customers with flexible payment options and enhancing the overall checkout experience. Improved Payment Processing Workflows: Streamlined payment processing by aligning Klarna s features with organizational workflows, reducing transaction time and improving efficiency. Enhanced Customer Payment Options: Expanded payment options to include buy-now-pay-later functionality, increasing customer satisfaction and boosting sales. Ensured Compliance and Security: Conducted thorough testing and validation of Klarna integration to meet security standards and regulatory requirements. Implemented 3D Secure for Payment Processing: Enhanced transaction security by integrating 3D Secure authentication, reducing fraud risk and ensuring regulatory compliance. PROJECTMANAGER | TECH MAHINDRA | MAY 2014 SEPT 2018 Client: ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH Directed and led ERP integration projects, overseeing a team of 30+ with a budget of $5 million, providing strategic guidance for seamless execution. Supervised significant enhancements across India, Canada, and the USA for Oracle PLM and RMS, ensuring global alignment and operational efficiency. Successfully migrated Oracle solutions to the cloud, enhancing performance by 40% while reducing costs by 50%. Transformed on-premises applications to hybrid environments, resulting in substantial savings of $800K on yearly renewals. Executed DevOps practices and implemented CI/CD frameworks using Jenkins, Docker, and Git across 90% of projects in the supply chain, ensuring agile and efficient development. Spearheaded the creation of Test Centers of Excellence (TCOEs), standardizing testing processes and tools, including Selenium, Java, Cucumber, Jenkins, and Docker, to improve time-to-market and enhance pipeline efficiency. Automated critical systems such as eCommerce, OMS, RMS, and PLM, designing reusable test automation scripts to drive efficiency and accuracy in regression, functional, and performance testing. Managed end-to-end testing strategies, including test case design, execution, and defect triaging, using tools like HP ALM, JIRA, and Confluence. Optimized testing pipelines through automation, improving efficiency by 30% while maintaining high-quality standards. Developed test automation frameworks using HP QTP (Quick Test Professional) and Selenium, streamlining end-to-end testing processes across geographically dispersed teams. Onboarded the HRIS tool ICIMS, enhancing brand value and reducing onboarding time by 70%. Contributed to resource allocation and budget tracking, ensuring optimal utilization of resources and adherence to project budgets, leading to a productivity increase of 2-5% every quarter. Delivered successful digital transformation initiatives in collaboration with consulting services, incorporating foundational AWS cloud tools for improved scalability. Applied Agile methodologies to streamline e-commerce project delivery, utilizing project scheduling platforms like JIRA, SharePoint, and Confluence. Led key project management activities, including KPI tracking, forecasting, performance evaluations, and onboarding, while driving agile transitions from waterfall methodologies. Engaged in proactive stakeholder collaboration, aligning business unit goals with technical teams to ensure seamless integration of project deliverables. Applied process mapping techniques to identify gaps in operations, driving initiatives that improved team coordination and addressed stakeholder requirements effectively. Led contract negotiation and managed program financials for a $10M portfolio. Led governance and compliance efforts, ensuring test automation adhered to industry standards and best practices. TECHNICAL LEAD. INFOSYS LTD | USA | MARCH 2010 MAY 2014 Client: TARGET Led a large team of testers, including manual, automation, and performance testing professionals, across geographically dispersed locations for high-impact banking and retail projects. Directed test-focused project management efforts for a loan origination system, using in-house tools for test case tracking, performance monitoring, and defect forecasting. Achieved billing accuracy and elevated projects from CMM Level 1 to 5 compliance during successful audits. Utilized advanced testing tools such as HP ALM (QC), JIRA, and SharePoint to manage test schedules, track progress, and ensure seamless collaboration among global teams. Streamlined test case documentation and communication processes, reducing delays in defect resolution by 15% and improving team coordination across regions. Achieved 100% on-time delivery of critical testing milestones, optimizing test resource utilization through effective scheduling and load balancing techniques. Spearheaded Test Centers of Excellence (TCOE) implementations for major clients such as Target, Ahold, GameStop, and Nordstrom, standardizing test automation frameworks and enhancing automation efficiency across diverse platforms. Developed and implemented reusable automation frameworks using tools like Selenium, UFT, and Jenkins, improving regression and functional test efficiency while reducing manual testing efforts. Collaborated with sales teams as an SME in test automation, contributing to RFP discussions by providing technical expertise in automation tools, frameworks, and best practices. Streamlined API and web services testing through data mining and integrations, reducing operational errors by 30% and enhancing data reliability across systems. Directed e-commerce transformation projects with a focus on testing strategies, utilizing scheduling tools to manage complex timelines and ensure test coverage for critical functionalities. Applied Six Sigma principles to testing workflows, minimizing errors, optimizing defect triaging, and ensuring continuous improvement in test processes for dynamic e-commerce environments. TEST LEAD, ACCENTURE | July 2008 March 2010 Client: ABACUS Spearheaded test automation efforts for end-to-end testing processes across critical systems, ensuring comprehensive test coverage and reducing manual testing time by 40%. Designed and implemented reusable automation frameworks using HP QTP, enabling efficient regression testing and standardizing test execution across multiple projects. Enhanced workflow automation by leveraging Control-M for scheduling and monitoring, ensuring streamlined processes and faster defect resolution cycles. Managed complex web service integrations, implementing robust test strategies to validate API functionality, ensuring seamless communication between systems and meeting SLA requirements. Developed detailed test plans for functional, integration, and performance testing, effectively identifying and addressing system vulnerabilities during early project phases. Led cross-functional testing teams, coordinating efforts between developers, testers, and business analysts to ensure alignment with client expectations and successful project delivery. Collaborated with stakeholders to develop and refine user stories, translating business requirements into actionable test cases that supported customer-centric solutions and ensured traceability. Utilized defect tracking tools to monitor and resolve issues, improving test cycle efficiency and ensuring high-quality deliverables for enterprise-level applications. Applied advanced debugging techniques to identify root causes of system failures, improving system reliability and reducing downtime. Conducted workshops on test automation best practices, upskilling team members and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the testing organization. Streamlined network engineering services testing, improving the validation of configurations and protocols, and ensuring system robustness under varying operational conditions. Implemented data-driven testing techniques, enhancing the scalability and reusability of test scripts, resulting in faster execution of complex test scenarios. TEST LEAD, CAPGEMINI | June 2007 July 2008 Client: Telfort Led the testing efforts for Telfort s Number Porting System (NPMS), ensuring seamless integration with Amtrix and XIB billing systems. This comprehensive testing approach significantly enhanced the system's reliability and scalability. Developed and executed comprehensive test plans and strategies, including functional, regression, integration, and performance testing, to validate the system's end-to-end workflows and ensure compliance with telecom standards. Spearheaded the automation of test cases using tools like HP QTP and customized scripts, reducing manual testing efforts by 50% and enabling faster test execution for recurring test cycles. Conducted data migration validation testing, ensuring the accurate porting of customer numbers across systems, leading to improved porting accuracy and reduced processing times. Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including developers, network engineers, and business analysts, to resolve defects and enhance the system s performance, achieving a defect leakage rate of less than 5% in production. Performed system performance testing under peak load conditions, ensuring the NPMS could handle high-volume transactions for over 1 million users within the initial months of deployment. Streamlined integration testing between NPMS, Amtrix, and XIB billing systems, ensuring that complex workflows, such as billing synchronization and customer updates, functioned without interruptions. Designed and implemented reusable automation frameworks, enabling quick validation of new features and updates, thereby improving the overall agility of the testing process. Introduced robust defect management processes, leveraging tools like HP ALM to track and resolve critical issues promptly, ensuring system readiness before deployment. Conducted root cause analysis (RCA) for high-priority defects, implementing corrective measures to prevent recurrence and improve overall system quality. Championed user acceptance testing (UAT) sessions with end-users, incorporating their feedback to fine-tune the system for optimal performance and usability. Ensured regulatory compliance testing, validating the system against telecom industry standards and minimizing risks associated with regulatory penalties. Managed stakeholder expectations, providing regular updates on testing progress, risks, and mitigation strategies through detailed reports and dashboards. Enhanced customer experience by optimizing the porting process, reducing service interruptions, and achieving over 95% customer satisfaction rates post-deployment. Facilitated training sessions for the QA team on best practices in test automation and defect management, fostering a high-performing and quality-focused testing culture. SENIOR ANALYST IBM Jan 2007 Jun 2007 Client: Deutsche Bank Led end-to-end testing efforts for Deutsche Bank's 3D Cash application, focusing on validating intricate financial transaction workflows, ensuring seamless integration, and maintaining system accuracy under high-volume transactions. Developed and executed comprehensive test plans, including functional, regression, and performance testing, to validate the application's capabilities and ensure adherence to banking standards and regulatory compliance. Designed reusable and modular test cases to cover a wide range of scenarios, addressing both typical user interactions and edge cases, thereby minimizing post-deployment issues. Implemented automation testing strategies using tools such as HP QTP to streamline the validation of repetitive tasks, reducing overall test execution time by 40%. Conducted performance testing to identify and resolve system bottlenecks, leveraging monitoring tools to analyze transaction latency and throughput, which reduced processing times by 25% and enhanced system reliability. Validated financial workflows and data integrity, ensuring accurate fund transfers, account updates, and transaction reports across distributed systems. Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including developers, business analysts, and compliance officers, to ensure testing met business requirements, industry standards, and regulatory compliance. Streamlined defect tracking and resolution processes, employing HP ALM for defect lifecycle management and achieving a significant reduction in critical bugs pre-deployment. Performed root cause analysis (RCA) on high-severity defects, implementing preventive measures that enhanced system resilience and minimized future occurrences. Validated multi-currency transaction scenarios, ensuring accurate conversions and adherence to global financial regulations, enhancing the application's international usability. Monitored and improved batch job performance, validating nightly transaction processing and ensuring data accuracy in reports provided to clients. Provided regular testing progress updates to stakeholders through detailed dashboards and reports, ensuring transparency and timely communication of risks and mitigation strategies. Facilitated user acceptance testing (UAT) by creating test scenarios that mirrored real-world banking operations, collaborating with end-users to ensure alignment with operational expectations. Enhanced testing efficiency through the introduction of data-driven testing approaches, enabling scalable and reusable test scenarios for complex financial workflows. Ensured compliance with banking standards such as Basel II/III, safeguarding data integrity and operational reliability. QA LEAD, RELIANCE INDUSTIES Ltd | Oct 2003 Jan 2007 Led strategic quality assurance and operational readiness efforts during Reliance's retail expansion from 3 to 2,500 outlets, ensuring robust testing and seamless integration of hardware, software, and operational processes. Spearheaded firmware testing for fuel pumps and handheld terminals, validating system reliability under various operational conditions and ensuring adherence to performance and compliance standards. Automated test procedures using Rational Functional Tester and WinRunner, developing reusable test scripts to address complex scenarios and accelerate test cycles by 30%. Developed batch jobs in MS-DOS, automating routine system processes and improving operational efficiency across retail locations. Performed end-to-end testing of Retalix software, ensuring seamless integration with hardware systems for automated gas station operations, enhancing operational accuracy and reducing manual interventions. Conducted functional and integration testing for back-office systems, ensuring the accurate synchronization of petrol pump firmware with fuel servers and central databases. Validated data integrity and system performance by querying Borland databases, analyzing critical operational metrics to ensure alignment with business objectives. Leveraged Telnet for secure connectivity, enabling efficient access to remote devices for testing and troubleshooting in distributed environments. Directed on-site inspections and commissioning of retail outlets, verifying system installations, integrations, and readiness for operational launch. Collaborated with vendors like HCL, Cisco, and IBM to ensure timely delivery and integration of hardware and software solutions, maintaining high-quality standards throughout the deployment process. Developed test cases and scenarios to simulate real-world operational conditions, ensuring systems were capable of handling peak loads and unexpected scenarios. Optimized system performance by identifying bottlenecks during testing and implementing enhancements to reduce downtime and increase reliability. Monitored and resolved defects using defect tracking tools, ensuring smooth deployments with minimal post-implementation issues. Trained field staff on operational procedures and system functionalities, enhancing their ability to troubleshoot and maintain equipment. Implemented best practices for quality assurance, ensuring all systems and processes adhered to organizational and industry standards. Facilitated UAT sessions with stakeholders to validate systems against business and operational requirements, achieving a 98% approval rate for go-live events. Trainings & Certifications Project Management Professional (PMP )| Certified Scrum Master (CSM )| Keywords: continuous integration continuous deployment quality analyst business intelligence rlang information technology golang hewlett packard microsoft