Saravanan Chandran
Summary
Dynamic Managing Consultant with over sixteen years of experience in digital and strategic transformation, specializing in ERP and CRM implementations, sales automation, and customer data analytics. Proven track record in assessing business needs, generating innovative solutions, and driving successful project delivery through effective collaboration with clients and stakeholders. Expertise in leading cross-functional teams across diverse projects, encompassing budgeting, resource planning, risk management, and scope control. Passionate about leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance customer service automation, successfully spearheading initiatives on Google Cloud Platform and SAP Joule. Led and contributed to significant revenue wins ranging from $5M to $40M across global markets and clients.
Overview
1
1
Certification
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Consultant – Consulting
Ernst & Young (EY – New Jersey, USA)
08.2022 - Current
- Led large-scale business transformation and digital transformation engagements ranging from 2M USD to 40M USD
- Led end-to-end delivery of engagement from pre-sales to delivery across multiple client engagements within various sectors like Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Retail, Utilities, Insurance, and FinTech.
- Worked with key stakeholders to understand their needs and advise on solution design (solution architect capacity), business process improvement, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Delivered multiple go-to-market materials to promote the capabilities and service provided to the client across different processes, including CRM, Order Management, Service Management, Customer Data Platform, Marketing Automation, Reporting/AI, and Customer Service.
- Provided service offerings covering program management, assessment and reviews, data management capabilities, and end-to-end application development lifecycle.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions for client challenges.
- Managed stakeholder relationships to drive project alignment and client satisfaction.
- Analyzed market trends to inform strategic recommendations for clients' business growth.
- Facilitated workshops to identify process improvements and enhance operational efficiency.
- Implemented data-driven strategies that optimized resource allocation and reduced costs.
- Championed change management initiatives within client organizations, facilitating smooth transitions during periods of transformation or restructuring.
- Implemented innovative approaches to problem-solving, leading to breakthrough solutions for clients.
- Delivered impactful presentations to C-level executives, showcasing the value of proposed strategies and recommendations.
- Managed the financial aspects of engagements by organizing staffing, tracking fees, and communicating issues to project sponsors.
- Building, managing, and motivating high-performing teams, including supporting people-related initiatives (recruitment, retention, training, competency development).
Senior Manager – Consulting Digital and Emerging Technologies
Ernst & Young (EY India)
05.2021 - 07.2022
- Led large and complex digital transformation projects from strategy to execution.
- Acted as a leader across all aspects of CX solutions (SAP and Salesforce) – CRM, Mar Tech, Sales Automation, Service Management, and Customer Data Management.
- Architecting, designing, and implementing effective technology solutions that enable value and growth across the client’s business.
- Led GTM strategies for CX solutions and ERP (Order Management and Service Management) in the US, India, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asian markets.
- Provided deep insight into a function or specialism through thorough analysis and knowledge of best practices to solve complex problems, driving thought leadership and innovation.
- Identified new technologies that can make a material impact on the sector and competitive advantage.
- Developed proposals, responding to client requirements and providing subject matter expertise.
- Identified sales opportunities to generate new business and sales.
- Managed the financial aspects of engagements by organizing staffing, tracking fees, and communicating issues to project sponsors.
- Incorporated a collaborative working style to leverage a business-led, process-based, and technology-enabled eco-system.
- Led cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives and enhance client service delivery.
- Developed and implemented operational frameworks to optimize project management processes.
- Streamlined reporting processes, improving accuracy and reducing turnaround times for client deliverables.
- Conducted risk assessments to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices.
- Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
- Enhanced team performance with regular coaching sessions, focusing on individual strengths and areas for improvement.
Manager - Technology Consulting
Ernst & Young (EY – New York, USA)
07.2013 - 03.2021
- Advised clients on digital solutions to bridge the gap between business and IT.
- Worked with key stakeholders to understand their needs and advise on product/solution design, business process improvement/automation, and digital transformation engagements.
- Initiated requirement gathering, architect solutions, blueprinting, functional design, system validation, workflow definition, system configuration, and documentation (BPDs and functional documentation), data conversion activities, go-live/hyper care, and change management activities.
- Liaised with the stakeholders and technical team to translate needs into business solutions.
- Managed the financial aspects of engagements by organizing staffing, tracking fees, and communicating issues to project sponsors.
- Provided service offerings covering program management, assessment and reviews, data management capabilities, and end-to-end application development lifecycle.
- Managed and motivated teams with diverse skills and backgrounds.
- Maintained long-term client relationships and networks and cultivated business development opportunities.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement innovative solutions enhancing operational efficiency.
- Developed strategic plans aligning with client objectives to improve service delivery.
Specialist – Digital Solution Design
Verticurl Private Ltd. (India)
09.2012 - 04.2013
- Developed program builders to enable execution of multi-channel campaigns in the Eloqua marketing automation tool.
- Worked on the integration of Eloqua and Salesforce CRM, promoting the lead generation, campaign management, and reporting.
- Created customized reports in the system to measure campaign performance, customer interactions, and lead source.
- Involved in the account management process – requirement gathering, resource allocation, task allocation, billing, and reporting.
- Developed and implemented process improvements enhancing operational efficiency across teams.
- Analyzed data trends to inform strategic decision-making and optimize project outcomes.
System Analyst
Infosys Technologies (India)
09.2008 - 08.2012
- Analyzed business requirements and created business process documents.
- Defined web application testing strategies by describing the types of tests that will be conducted.
- Involved in defining test scenarios, test scripts, and managing test execution for both manual and automation test cycles.
- Participated in requirement gathering, client status meeting, onsite-offshore interactions, prepared status report, and project tracker in an efficient manner.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement system enhancements and improve user experiences.
Education
Master of Science - Management of Information Systems
SUNY at Buffalo
New York, USA09-2012
Executive MBA - Business Administration and Management
Amrita School of Business
India09-2012
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
SRKV University
India05-2008
Skills
- Strategy and Transformation – Digital Transformation, IT Strategy, Business Process Improvement, Technology Roadmap, Large-scale ERP Transformation, Organizational Change Management
- Management and Leadership – Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Management, Large-scale Engagements – Planning and Execution, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Resourcing and Forecasting Design Thinking, Client Management
- Tool, Technologies and Methodologies – SAP ERP (S/4 HANA), SAP CX, Salesforce CRM, Customer Data Platforms, Agile/Scrum Methodologies, AI/RPA/Process Automation, Data Analytics
- Industry Sectors – Power & Utilities, Manufacturing, Retail, FinTech, Telecommunications, IT
- Market/Regions – North America, Europe (UK&I, Germany), MENA, India, Asia-Pacific (Singapore)
Accomplishments
- Won “I am Exceptional” individual award under the “Digitally Transforming” category.
- Won multiple “EY US Bravo” awards for contributions towards engagements.
- Won “EY US Value Award” for living EY values.
Certification
- Elements of Artificial Intelligence from the University of Helsinki
- SAP Business Suite – SAP CX from SAP
- Google Cloud Platform Big Data and Machine Learning Fundamentals offered by Google Cloud
- Smart Analytics, Machine Learning, and AI on Google Cloud Platform offered by Google Cloud
- SAP Leonardo - Enabling the Intelligent Enterprise offered by SAP
- Six Sigma Green Belt from IIT Delhi, India
Timeline
Managing Consultant – Consulting
Ernst & Young (EY – New Jersey, USA)
08.2022 - Current
Senior Manager – Consulting Digital and Emerging Technologies
Ernst & Young (EY India)
05.2021 - 07.2022
Manager - Technology Consulting
Ernst & Young (EY – New York, USA)
07.2013 - 03.2021
Specialist – Digital Solution Design
Verticurl Private Ltd. (India)
09.2012 - 04.2013
System Analyst
Infosys Technologies (India)
09.2008 - 08.2012
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
SRKV University
Executive MBA - Business Administration and Management
Amrita School of Business
Master of Science - Management of Information Systems
SUNY at Buffalo