Swaminathan Narayanan

Head of Technology | Digital Transformation Leader | Enterprise Architect | AI & Cloud Strategist
Chennai, IN.

About

A highly accomplished and results-driven Head of Technology with over two decades of experience spearheading digital transformation, enterprise architecture, and strategic IT initiatives across diverse industries including retail, e-commerce, and logistics. Proven expertise in leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, Cloud, and data analytics to optimize operations, enhance customer experience, and deliver substantial business value. Adept at building and leading high-performing global teams, managing complex projects, and fostering innovation to achieve ambitious organizational objectives.

Work

Ecom Express Private Limited
|

Head of Technology

Gurugram, Haryana, India

Summary

Leading the technology strategy and digital transformation initiatives for a leading logistics and e-commerce services provider, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience.

Highlights

Spearheaded the integration of AI/ML solutions into core logistics operations, optimizing routing algorithms and predictive analytics for delivery efficiency.

Directed the modernization of the cloud infrastructure, improving system scalability and reducing operational costs by 15% within the first six months.

Developed and executed a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap, aligning technology investments with business growth objectives and market demands.

Managed a diverse team of over 50 engineers and IT professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and high performance in a fast-paced environment.

The Label Life
|

Head of Technology

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Led the technology function for an e-commerce fashion brand, driving platform development, system architecture, and digital product innovation to enhance online presence and sales.

Highlights

Architected and implemented a scalable e-commerce platform, improving site performance by 25% and supporting a 30% increase in user traffic.

Introduced data-driven analytics for customer behavior, leading to personalized marketing campaigns that boosted conversion rates by 10%.

Managed the end-to-end development lifecycle for new digital products, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business goals.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate new technologies and streamline operations, reducing manual effort by 20%.

Bestseller India
|

Head of Technology

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Summary

Oversaw technology strategy and operations for a major fashion retailer, focusing on enterprise architecture, digital initiatives, and IT infrastructure management.

Highlights

Directed the digital transformation of retail operations, implementing omnichannel solutions that increased online sales by 40% year-over-year.

Led the migration of critical business applications to cloud-native platforms, enhancing system resilience and reducing infrastructure costs by 18%.

Managed an annual IT budget exceeding $5 million, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring high ROI on technology investments.

Built and mentored a high-performing technology team of 30+, fostering skill development and strategic alignment with business objectives.

Future Retail Limited
|

Chief Technology Officer

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Served as CTO for a leading retail conglomerate, responsible for technology vision, strategic planning, and the delivery of innovative IT solutions across diverse retail formats.

Highlights

Defined and executed the technology roadmap for multiple retail brands, driving innovation in areas such as supply chain optimization and customer engagement platforms.

Implemented enterprise-wide ERP systems, streamlining business processes and improving operational efficiency by 25% across 500+ stores.

Spearheaded the adoption of big data analytics, enabling data-driven decision-making that resulted in a 15% improvement in inventory management.

Led a team of 100+ technology professionals, fostering collaboration and delivering complex projects on time and within budget.

Future Retail Limited
|

General Manager - IT

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Managed IT operations and infrastructure for Future Retail, focusing on system reliability, security, and support for retail business functions.

Highlights

Oversaw the successful implementation of new POS systems across 200+ retail outlets, enhancing transaction speed and accuracy.

Optimized IT infrastructure, reducing system downtime by 20% and improving overall network performance.

Managed vendor relationships and negotiated contracts, achieving cost savings of 10% on IT services and hardware.

Provided strategic guidance on technology solutions, supporting business expansion and operational excellence initiatives.

Future Value Retail Limited
|

Head - IT

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Led IT operations and strategic technology initiatives for Future Value Retail, driving efficiency and innovation in retail technology.

Highlights

Implemented enterprise-wide IT policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and enhancing data security across all retail formats.

Managed the development and deployment of custom software solutions, improving supply chain visibility and inventory control.

Directed IT support and infrastructure for a network of 100+ stores, ensuring seamless operations and minimal disruption.

Collaborated with business leaders to identify technology needs, translating requirements into actionable IT projects that delivered measurable value.

Future Group
|

Head - IT

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Oversaw IT functions and strategic technology initiatives for a segment of Future Group, focusing on system integration and operational support.

Highlights

Managed the integration of IT systems following mergers and acquisitions, ensuring continuity of business operations.

Implemented robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans, minimizing risks and ensuring data integrity.

Led projects to upgrade network infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and supporting increased data traffic.

Provided technical leadership and mentorship to a team of IT professionals, fostering skill development and operational excellence.

Pantaloon Retail India Ltd
|

Head - IT

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Directed IT operations and strategic technology initiatives for Pantaloon Retail, focusing on enhancing retail efficiency and customer experience.

Highlights

Successfully rolled out new retail management systems across multiple stores, improving sales processing and inventory accuracy.

Implemented IT security protocols and data backup solutions, safeguarding critical business information.

Managed a team of IT specialists, providing technical support and strategic guidance for ongoing projects.

Collaborated with business units to leverage technology for competitive advantage, supporting growth and market expansion.

Pantaloon Retail India Ltd
|

Senior Manager - IT

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Managed key IT projects and infrastructure components for Pantaloon Retail, focusing on system implementation and operational support.

Highlights

Led the implementation of a new ERP module, streamlining financial reporting and inventory management processes.

Managed the deployment of network infrastructure upgrades, improving data transfer speeds by 15%.

Provided technical expertise and support for critical business applications, ensuring high availability and performance.

Trained and mentored junior IT staff, enhancing team capabilities and operational efficiency.

Pantaloon Retail India Ltd
|

Manager - IT

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Managed IT systems and provided technical support for Pantaloon Retail, ensuring smooth operation of business technologies.

Highlights

Administered and maintained core IT systems, ensuring 99.9% uptime for critical retail operations.

Provided first-line technical support, resolving IT issues promptly and minimizing business disruption.

Assisted in the implementation of new software solutions, contributing to process automation and efficiency gains.

Documented IT procedures and policies, improving knowledge sharing and operational consistency.

Pantaloon Retail India Ltd
|

Assistant Manager - IT

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Summary

Supported IT infrastructure and systems for Pantaloon Retail, focusing on daily operations and user support.

Highlights

Managed daily IT operations, including system monitoring and troubleshooting, ensuring continuity of retail services.

Provided technical assistance to end-users, resolving hardware and software issues efficiently.

Assisted in data backup and recovery procedures, ensuring data integrity and business continuity.

Contributed to IT asset management, maintaining inventory and optimizing hardware utilization.

Education

University of Madras
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Master of Computer Applications (MCA)

Computer Applications

Courses

Software Engineering

Database Management Systems

Data Structures

Computer Networks

University of Madras
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Computer Science

Courses

Programming Languages (C, C++)

Operating Systems

Discrete Mathematics

Languages

English
Tamil
Hindi

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Digital Transformation, IT Strategy, Enterprise Architecture, Technology Roadmapping, Business Alignment, Innovation Management, IT Governance, Vendor Management, Budget Management, Risk Management.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), Data Center Operations, Network Architecture, System Scalability, IT Infrastructure Management, Cybersecurity, Disaster Recovery, IT Operations.

Software & Data

ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle), E-commerce Platforms, Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, AI/ML Integration, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Agile Methodologies, Database Management, POS Systems.

Team & Project Management

Team Leadership, Global Team Management, Project Management, Program Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Mentoring, Talent Development, Change Management.

Industry Expertise

Retail Technology, Logistics Technology, E-commerce, Supply Chain Management, Omni-channel Strategy, Fashion Retail.