VARUN THAGGALA
Brookfield,WI
Summary
Results-driven project management professional with over 10 years of experience leading complex projects across diverse industries. Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing efficient processes, managing high-budget projects, and meeting critical business deadlines. Adept at engineering product management, with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions and driving strategic initiatives to successful outcomes. Known for strong leadership, effective communication, and commitment to excellence in project execution.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr Project Engineer
Milwaukee Tool
Brookfield, WI
06.2021 - Current
- Managed diverse short- and long-term projects across various Milwaukee Tool accessory product lines in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. Tracked project KPIs to ensure alignment on goals, deliverables, and deadlines.
- Effectively led cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams in two high-impact global projects. Successfully developed, patented products vital to the company's strategic growth.
- Ensured alignment of engineering deliverables with NPD philosophies, executed risk assessments, and developed risk response protocols during each toll gate process.
- Collaborated with marketing and sales teams to understand customer needs, market trends, and competitive products. Performed benchmark testing, prototyping and product validation to formulate the Project CTQs.
- Accountable for technical elements of project execution including integration of complicated components and assemblies, material selection, packaging, and safety, regulatory and standards compliance
- Scheduled, developed agendas, facilitated, and documented project meetings by engaging with product marketing, supply/ demand planning, sourcing, packaging, manufacturing plants (Domestic & international) and distribution centers
- Delivered clear and concise project status updates through progress reports and presentations
- Implemented strategies to effectively handle project constraints based on critical path analysis, resulting in a 20% improvement in project completion time
- Proactively assessed and addressed project risks through the implementation of comprehensive risk reduction strategies.
Product Manager (Engineering)
Paraflex Industries/ Swifter Fans
Denville, NJ
05.2017 - 05.2021
- Created and executed short and long-term product development strategies, managing capex allocations for R&D, product qualification, and market launch
- Managed vendor relationships and coordinated product certifications such as UL, ETL, and DLC for mass production
- Responsible for creating and maintaining product specification sheets, marketing materials, pricing sheets, maintenance manuals, etc.
- Drove product improvement efforts by conducting root cause analysis (RCA) on customer warranty claims, leading to valuable feedback for the Engineering department.
- Assisted Engineering in designing airfoil blades using fan engineering and FEA tools, wind-tunnel testing, and CFD analysis of air movement systems.
Senior Engineer (Mechanical)
Quest Global Services NA, Client GE Power
Houston, TX
04.2012 - 03.2017
- Managed gas turbine packaging design projects from concept to final delivery, overseeing project estimation, scheduling, and implementation for NPI, DMP, and RAM initiatives.
- Efficiently utilized diverse CAD tools to expertly handle 3D modeling tasks involving F&ID layouts, general arrangement, and transportation drawings
- Accountable for generating BOMs, NCRs, SDRs and managing closure of Engineering Change Requests/Orders.
- Organized and chaired change control board gatherings among sourcing, manufacturing, and requisition departments to decide on product upgrade schedules.
- Contributed to the successful implementation of variant management, part commonality, and multi-vendor feasibility by working closely with the configuration management team.
Jr Project Engineer/Field Engineer
Avion Systems
Atlanta, GA
11.2010 - 02.2012
- Install and test network cell site
- Mechanically troubleshoot network modules and circuits
- Collect physical measurements for cell sites
- Verify cell site functionality
- Identify antenna positions, antenna directions or tilt and swapped feeders
- Perform audits on electrical and mechanical parameter settings of cell sites.
Education
Master of Science - Industrial Technology
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Fresno, CA01.2010
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
JNTU
Hyderabad, India01.2007
Skills
- Project Planning & Scheduling
- Process Optimization
- Supply Chain Management
- Budget Management
- Risk Assessment
- Project Management
Certification
- PMP (In Progress)
Timeline
Sr Project Engineer
Milwaukee Tool
06.2021 - Current
Product Manager (Engineering)
Paraflex Industries/ Swifter Fans
05.2017 - 05.2021
Senior Engineer (Mechanical)
Quest Global Services NA, Client GE Power
04.2012 - 03.2017
Jr Project Engineer/Field Engineer
Avion Systems
11.2010 - 02.2012
Master of Science - Industrial Technology
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
JNTU
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