Janakiraman Gopalakrishnan
Somerset,NJ
Summary
Highly accomplished IT and Transformative Leader with 30+ years of proven experience within a global, multi-billion-dollar enterprise, strategically guiding complex digital transformations and optimizing enterprise IT operations. I have been recognized for successfully delivering large scale technology implementations with several full-cycle SAP ERP implementations including S4 HANA, developing high-performing teams, and delivering significant, sustainable business outcomes. I am now seeking to leverage this extensive transformative experience to advise CIOs and other C-suite executives. My focus will be on providing actionable insights and leadership to navigate their critical transformation journeys, with a particular emphasis the human aspects of organizational alignment and change management.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Transformation Officer
L'Oreal Group
NJ, USA
09.2024 - Current
- Oversaw strategic transformation project aimed at integrating global governance practices for improved operational and financial efficiency.
- Cultivated a global mindset within a diverse team of over 400 professionals to drive successful adoption of new ways of working
- Implemented a captive IT organization in Hyderabad, resulting in improved capabilities and increased operational efficiency by 10-20%.
Director Transformation IT
L'Oreal Group
Paris, France
09.2018 - 09.2024
- Directed pivotal IT and business transformation projects, focusing on innovative solutions at L'Oréal.
- Directed implementation of SAP S/4HANA-based ERP solution, utilizing AI-driven automations on SAP RISE to enhance operational efficiency.
- Analyzed and refined processes, achieving over 30% reduction in global ERP run costs while enhancing overall operational efficiency.
SVP IT Americas Operations and Finance
L'Oreal Group
NJ, USA
11.1993 - 09.2018
- Implemented innovative digital strategies at L'Oréal, resulting in improved operational workflows and increased business value.
- Executed integration of various legacy technologies into a unified single-instance SAP ERP system, modernizing organizational architecture.
- Analyzed and refined supply chain processes to boost stock visibility and drive financial performance improvements at L'Oréal USA.
Education
Certified Change Practitioner - Change Management
PROSCI
08-2025
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
Rutgers The State University of NJ
New Brunswick, NJ01-2000
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) - Mechanical Engineering
IIT Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi, India01-1986
Skills
- Strategic IT Leadership: IT Strategy & Road mapping, Technology Governance, Enterprise Architecture, Digital Transformation, Innovation Management, Vendor Management, Budget Management
- Systems Delivery & Management: Strategic oversight and design of large-scale system implementations and transformation programs including and not limited to SAP S4 HANA and AI based process automations
- Organizational Transformation: Culture change & Human-centric adoption, Business Process Re-engineering, Organizational Design, Stakeholder Engagement and Consensus Building
- Leadership & Development: Executive Leadership, Team Building & Mentoring, Performance Management, Communication & Presentation Skills
Accomplishments
- Guided global transformation initiatives resulting in over 30% optimization of IT run costs and 10% annual operational efficiencies.
- Established a captive IT organization in Hyderabad, India, internalizing critical capabilities and supporting global business objectives.
- Led several full-cycle SAP ERP implementations (including migration to SAP S4 HANA and RISE) for L'Oréal Groupe, unifying diverse legacy systems into a modern digital architecture.
- Fostered a global mindset across a 400+ professional team, enhancing governance and ensuring local stakeholder engagement for successful global programs.
Timeline
Global Transformation Officer
L'Oreal Group
09.2024 - Current
Director Transformation IT
L'Oreal Group
09.2018 - 09.2024
SVP IT Americas Operations and Finance
L'Oreal Group
11.1993 - 09.2018
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) - Mechanical Engineering
IIT Banaras Hindu University
Certified Change Practitioner - Change Management
PROSCI
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
Rutgers The State University of NJ