Vijay Raj Pandey
Driving IT Innovation & Transformation
Group IT Manager & CTO | UAE Top 50 Digital Transformation Leader | Expert in ERP, AI, Cybersecurity & OpenAI Integrator/Developer
View My WorkWhy me?
Group IT Manager & CTO | UAE Top 50 Digital Transformation Leader | Expert in ERP, AI, Cybersecurity & OpenAI Integrator/Developer
View My WorkA distinguished Group Head of Information Technology with 14+ years of Gulf experience, I specialize in ERP systems (MS Dynamics365, Oracle NetSuite, SAP Business One), cybersecurity, and AI-driven innovation. Recognized as one of UAE’s Top 50 Digital Transformation Leaders, I’ve led cost-effective IT projects, saving millions while driving business growth.
Expert in MS Dynamics 365, Oracle NetSuite, SAP, Sage.
CISM-certified; skilled in ISO 27001, GDPR, and threat mitigation.
Experienced in AWS, Azure, VMware, Hyper-V, LPAR/LDOM environments.
Leading business-aligned IT transformation across global teams.
Driving high-performance teams, reducing IT spend, and enabling data-driven decisions.
Driving innovation through no-code/low-code AI platforms and automation tools.
Industry: ERP Support | Regions Served: SAP support and implementation
At inoA tech, Chennai, India, a global SAP support and implementation expert specializing in the aerospace, oil & gas, and manufacturing sectors, I led IT operations to drive digital transformation across multiple regions. My role focused on optimizing SAP landscapes, strengthening cybersecurity, enhancing cloud infrastructure, and enabling data-driven decision-making through advanced ERP and business intelligence systems.
ERP Management & Process Automation:
Streamlined operations through ERP customization and workflow automation, improving sales lead management and data accuracy across departments.
Data Visualization & Reporting:
Built dynamic MIS dashboards and reports using Power BI, Jet Reports, and Tableau, delivering real-time insights for executive decision-making.
Cybersecurity & Risk Mitigation:
Deployed enterprise-grade firewalls, VPNs, and multi-layered backup & disaster recovery protocols to protect against cyber threats, including ransomware and phishing.
Cloud & Infrastructure Optimization:
Managed hybrid cloud environments using Azure, AWS, and tools like Oracle VM and Google Cloud VM Manager. Integrated Azure AD, Microsoft Exchange, and biometric access controls.
AI & Innovation-Driven Projects:
Spearheaded AI-powered solutions to enhance operational efficiency and support strategic, data-driven decisions.
Project Leadership & Team Coordination:
Led cross-functional teams in project planning, budgeting, and delivery, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
ERP (Oracle E-Business Suite, NetSuite, Sage 300, Microsoft Dynamics CRM) | BI (Power BI, Tableau, Jet Reports) | Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) | Security (Fortinet, Cisco Meraki, VPNs) | Web Dev (HTML5, CSS, PHP, JavaScript) | CRM (Salesforce, monday.com) | Databases (SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle DB) | DevOps & Tools (Postman, SharePoint, Office 365, AWS IAM, CLI)
Industry: F&B, Investment & Management | Brands: CZNBurak, CZNBurak Burger, CZNBurak Gurme, CZNBurak Döner
At Dives Holding, a renowned group managing innovative F&B concepts and global brands, I led end-to-end IT operations across subsidiaries. I specialized in Oracle NetSuite ERP administration and strategic IT planning to align technology with business objectives, improve efficiency, and ensure security.
IT Leadership & Infrastructure Management:
Led a team responsible for maintaining IT systems and infrastructure across multiple business units, aligning IT initiatives with operational goals.
ERP Strategy & NetSuite Administration:
Spearheaded the implementation and optimization of Oracle NetSuite, including module customization, SuiteFlow automation, and real-time reporting.
Cybersecurity & Compliance:
Introduced firewall enhancements, regular security audits, and staff training programs, significantly reducing security incidents and ensuring data compliance.
Cloud Services & Digital Transformation:
Migrated communication systems to Microsoft 365, improving collaboration and reducing costs by 30%. Facilitated cloud adoption for scalable and remote operations.
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity:
Developed and executed a company-wide backup and disaster recovery plan, reducing downtime and data loss risks by over 90%.
Team Development & Support:
Conducted user training and mentoring to boost productivity, improve system adoption, and reduce support requests by 40%.
Cross-System Integration & Reporting:
Integrated NetSuite with other platforms to streamline data flow and enhance efficiency. Delivered custom dashboards for actionable business insights.
Industry: Real Estate, Education, Healthcare, Travel & Hospitality | Location: United Arab Emirates
As Group IT Manager at Bin Ham Group—a diversified enterprise aligned with the UAE’s vision of progress and development—I led IT operations across the headquarters, project sites, and multiple subsidiaries, including real estate, schools, medical centers, and travel agencies. I implemented secure, scalable, and business-aligned IT systems to support organizational goals and resilience.
Strategic IT Leadership:
Oversaw the planning, budgeting, and implementation of IT infrastructure and operations aligned with enterprise objectives.
Enterprise IT Systems & Security:
Directed full lifecycle IT system deployment to enhance service quality, business continuity, and operational efficiency. Developed company-wide IT policies, BCP (Business Continuity Plan), DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan), and SOPs.
Risk Management & Compliance:
Implemented security controls including FortiGate firewalls, Symantec Endpoint Protection, and Qualys scanning, ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing risk exposure.
Systems Integration & Application Management:
Configured and managed critical applications such as Oracle NetSuite, Customer Care & Billing (CC&B), EPMS, and in-house CRM platforms.
Unix/Linux/Storage Infrastructure:
Administered and supported complex infrastructure including AIX, Solaris, Linux, IBM Power Series, and Sun T-series systems. Migrated environments from Power 7 to Power 8 and built SUSE on Power for HANA compliance.
Virtualization & Cloud-Ready Architectures:
Managed LPAR/LDOM environments, initiated Kubernetes on-prem cluster planning for microservices, and introduced Infrastructure as Code using Ansible.
Disaster Recovery & High Availability:
Successfully implemented and routinely tested DR solutions, ensuring IT resilience. Designed and maintained virtualized and containerized systems for high availability and operational agility.
Industry: Food & Beverage (Middle Eastern, Mediterranean & International Cuisine) | Regions: UAE, KSA, Qatar | Headquarters: Dubai, UAE
AWJ Investments is a rapidly growing F&B holding group recognized for its innovative culinary concepts and global ambitions. As Senior IT Manager, I was responsible for overseeing IT operations across 37 outlets, a 24/7 call center, central production units, and head office infrastructure across the GCC region.
Multi-Site IT Management:
Directed IT operations across 37 outlets, supporting over 1,000 employees in UAE, KSA, and Qatar. Managed infrastructure for central kitchens, call centers, and corporate offices.
Infrastructure Deployment & Modernization:
Implemented and maintained modern IT solutions for hardware, POS systems, servers, and software to ensure operational excellence and system uptime.
New Outlet IT Setup:
Led end-to-end infrastructure planning and deployment for new restaurant openings, including network architecture, POS configuration, and system integration.
System & Database Management:
Oversaw company-wide software platforms and databases. Ensured proper backups, disaster recovery routines, and system audits were in place.
IT Budgeting & Procurement:
Managed IT budgets, optimized expenditures, and ensured cost-effective procurement of hardware and software across the organization.
Executive Reporting & Strategic Planning:
Reported directly to the CEO; played a key role in strategic IT planning, process improvements, and overall system performance optimization.
IT Support & Uptime Assurance:
Ensured 24/7 IT support, hardware reliability, and high network availability to keep operations running smoothly across all business units.
Certified Information Security Manager, specializing in cybersecurity and compliance.
Master of Computer Applications, focusing on software development and systems design.
Deployed enterprise-grade security solutions, reducing threats by 30%.
Led NetSuite customization for logistics, improving efficiency by 25%.
Customized NetSuite for logistics, automating workflows and improving operational efficiency by 25%.
Implemented Dynamics365 for retail, streamlining operations.
Led successfully delivered SAP B1 solutions tailored to the unique needs of diverse industries.
Proven track record of full-cycle implementations, user training, and system integration, I ensure SAP Business One works as a strategic asset for your business — not just a software tool.
Exploring trends and challenges in IT innovation.
July 18, 2023
Strategies to combat phishing attacks.
May 22, 2023
Reach out via email, phone, or scan the QR code for my vCard.
