Vikram Chellappa
STATEN ISLAND
Summary
Senior SAP S/4 Technical Program Manager with extensive experience in S/4HANA implementations and program management at SmartShift. Achieved over 90% automation in custom code remediation, enhancing stakeholder communication and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Expertise in performance optimization and delivering measurable results through software and hardware improvements. Proven ability to lead agile projects and motivate teams to develop innovative business solutions.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior SAP S/4 Technical Program Manager
SmartShift
New York
01.2023 - Current
- Directed enterprise-wide SAP S/4HANA Greenfield and Brownfield implementations across North America for 4,000+ users, including SAP Fiori app rollout and real-time analytics enabled by embedded SAP HANA reporting.
- Led SAP S/4HANA transformation initiatives, partnering with business stakeholders and cross-functional IT teams to ensure strategic alignment and operational efficiency.
- Developed and implemented technical program management strategies that enhanced stakeholder communication and improved project outcomes.
- Utilized portfolio management techniques to prioritize and manage multiple technical programs, enhancing delivery timelines and achieving cost reductions.
- Spearheaded a KPI-driven smartShift remediation program, achieving over 90% automation in custom code remediation while maintaining high ATC compliance.
- Streamlined pre- and post-upgrade dual maintenance cycles, reducing transport turnaround times by 30%.
- Delivered zero major post-merge defects through rigorous quality assurance and proactive risk mitigation, including defining fallback/rollback plans.
- Led Clean Core strategy by minimizing custom code and leveraging standard SAP functionality, promoting SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) for side-by-side extensions, improving upgrade readiness and achieving reductions in total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Partnered with development teams to retire over 60% of legacy Z custom code, significantly improving system performance and stability.
- Applied mitigation strategies leveraging ATC (ABAP Test Cockpit) and SAP Readiness Check for code analysis.
- Analyzed SAP S/4HANA system usage with ST03N by user groups (SUSG) to identify key areas (Finance, Sales, Supply Chain) for decommission findings.
- Acted as a crucial liaison between executive leadership, global business users, and delivery teams, ensuring transparency and alignment through clear and effective communication.
- Built and maintained KPI-driven performance dashboards using OpenAir PSA AI-powered tools to engage stakeholders continuously and support data-driven decision-making.
- Championed risk management, change control, and governance practices using Jira, ServiceNow, and Agile methodologies, regularly updating RAID logs.
- Coordinated vendor teams and internal stakeholders to meet enterprise goals under tight deadlines, facilitating hybrid collaboration across locations and business units.
- Led change management efforts across 12 departments to drive user adoption and business readiness; collaborated with functional and BASIS teams to resolve downtime dependencies for smooth cutover.
- Directed workshops with business and IT stakeholders to assess custom developments and identify simplification aligned with SAP Best Practices.
- Facilitated global workshops to harmonize business processes and reduce duplication during template design.
- Conducted biweekly portfolio review cadences across North America regions.
- Strong team player and quick learner with excellent interpersonal skills; effectively communicates at all levels and collaboratively solves complex problems.
SAP HCM Applications Technical Functional lead
NBC Universal
New Jersey
01.2016 - 01.2023
- Played a key role in managing and delivering SAP HCM technical functional initiatives across PA, OM, Benefits, and HCM BW, with responsibilities including interface development (Towers Watson, Fidelity), NGA portal enhancements, and ABAP HR based mass data loads for clients such as DreamWorks and Sports Engine.
- Led implementation and rollout of Org. Manager for NBCUniversal employees, addressing challenges of forecasting and fragmented solutions to enhance organizational structure.
- Enabled advanced workforce planning, real-time organizational charting, and collaborative decision-making across HR functions, significantly eliminating manual HR reporting efforts and enhancing organizational transparency.
- Spearheaded SAP HANA code remediation and optimization, including dual maintenance and API lifecycle development, to support HR object transformation during the SAP HANA and cloud migration (ROC project).
- Designed and implemented ESS/MSS self-service functionality on "The Now" portal, enabling employees to perform event-driven life event changes (e.g., address, tax, benefits, onboarding, retirement).
- Facilitated blueprint workshops and documented processes to gather requirements for new HR enhancements.
- Delivered technical documentation and disaster recovery readiness for complex system landscape of 12 conversions, 43 interfaces, and 30 reports, facilitating integration of SAP and non-SAP systems.
- Continuously stayed updated on industry trends and best practices in IT operations and governance to drive innovation and ensure compliance.
- Received 3 Gemstone Awards for outstanding contributions and successful delivery of critical SAP HR transformation milestones.
- Recognized by senior leadership for seamless rollout of self service functionality (ESS/MSS) on “The Now Portal,” enhancing employee experience and reducing HR service tickets by 40%.
- Acknowledged by business stakeholders for bridging functional technical gaps, especially during dual maintenance, API modernization, and critical Payroll/Benefits testing cycles.
- Led ROC cloud re-platforming project under tight deadlines, managing cross-functional team of 5, achieving system readiness and securing disaster recovery certification ahead of go live to ensure stability and compliance for HR systems on HANA platform.
- Analyzed market trends to inform strategic decision-making and planning efforts.
- Managed stakeholder relationships to ensure alignment with business objectives.
- Implemented best practices for project management to enhance team productivity and effectiveness.
- Mentored junior staff, fostering professional development and knowledge sharing within the team.
SAP Applications Technical Functional lead
MOURI Tech LLC
01.2005 - 01.2016
- Led global SAP HCM, Payroll, and Cross-Module (SD/MM/FI) initiatives, managing onshore and offshore teams to ensure end-to-end delivery excellence.
- Directed integration testing, stakeholder enablement, and ECC 6.0 upgrade support across HR, SD, MM, and FI landscapes.
- Delivered custom WebDynpro ABAP, Adobe Forms, and BSP applications supporting the full employee lifecycle (hire to retire), compensation planning, and self-service transactions.
- Architected and integrated secure regulatory reporting and interfaces with state systems (EHDB, SPB, DPA) for compliance and payroll processing.
- Led payroll integration projects, including DOMUS interface, LSMW loads for IT0008/0209/0210, and cross-system conversions with high accuracy.
- Created SAP Business Workflows, dynamic MSS/ESS forms, and manager dashboards to streamline approvals, tax form processing, and employee inquiries.
- Designed audit and compliance reporting solutions using ALV, MACROs, and class-based HR logic; built eligibility extractors and custom InfoTypes.
- Developed ABAP programs and enhancements in the SD module, including custom pricing routines, delivery note forms, order status ALV reports, and BAPI-based sales contract creation.
- Implemented MM enhancements such as custom PO reports, BAPI interfaces for material master updates, and ALV tools for vendor cost and inventory analysis.
- Delivered FI module reports including AR/AP aging, GL reconciliations, and automated batch jobs for payment processing and PO creation.
- Enterprise Global solutions | Global Clients
- Received multiple client appreciation emails recognizing consistent delivery excellence, technical leadership, and proactive collaboration on SAP S/4HANA migration projects across HCM, SD, MM, and FI modules.
- Developed and documented functional requirements for software solutions to align with stakeholder needs and project objectives.
- Managed system integrations to enhance operational efficiency and data accuracy.
- Coordinated user acceptance testing to ensure system functionality met performance standards and user expectations.
- Managed resources across multiple projects while ensuring on-time delivery within budget constraints.
- Facilitated team collaboration sessions for problem solving activities around various issues faced during SDLC cycle.
Education
MBA - Information Technology
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT11-2016
Skills
- S/4HANA implementation
- Program management
- Project leadership
- Project planning
- Agile methodologies
- Performance optimization
- Process optimization
- Process improvement
- Data analysis and reporting
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Team leadership
- Stakeholder communication
Accomplishments
•[Award] 3 Gemstone Awards in recognition of outstanding contributions and successful delivery of critical SAP HR transformation milestones, demonstrating consistent excellence and leadership.
• Recognized by senior leadership for seamless rollout of self service functionality (ESS/MSS) on 'The Now Portal,' enhancing employee experience and reducing HR service tickets by 40%.
• Acknowledged by business stakeholders for bridging functional technical gaps, especially during dual maintenance, API modernization, and critical Payroll/Benefits testing cycles.
• Successfully led the ROC (cloud re-platforming project) under tight deadlines, managing a cross-functional team of 5 including 2 contractors. Achieved 100% system readiness and secured disaster recovery certification ahead of go live, ensuring stability and compliance for HR systems on the HANA platform.
• Recognized by senior leadership for seamless rollout of self service functionality (ESS/MSS) on 'The Now Portal,' enhancing employee experience and reducing HR service tickets by 40%.
• Acknowledged by business stakeholders for bridging functional technical gaps, especially during dual maintenance, API modernization, and critical Payroll/Benefits testing cycles.
• Successfully led the ROC (cloud re-platforming project) under tight deadlines, managing a cross-functional team of 5 including 2 contractors. Achieved 100% system readiness and secured disaster recovery certification ahead of go live, ensuring stability and compliance for HR systems on the HANA platform.
Timeline
Senior SAP S/4 Technical Program Manager
SmartShift
01.2023 - Current
SAP HCM Applications Technical Functional lead
NBC Universal
01.2016 - 01.2023
SAP Applications Technical Functional lead
MOURI Tech LLC
01.2005 - 01.2016
MBA - Information Technology
Western Governors University