Pradeep Gopinath

• Managing complete processes for setting up IT Operations in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain and Lebanon Region.
• Managing and leading more than 75 technical personnel providing help desk, front line support, procurement, project management and deployment.
• Team responsibilities include all IT aspects of retail stores, restaurants & Alshaya Head Office.
• Managing infrastructure technologies, connectivity, store environment, Data Center all user requirements.
• Overseeing all IT operations infrastructure. Developing, implementing, and evaluating IT projects in line with organizational objectives.
• Liaising with other departments to determine and address their IT needs and requirements.
  Managing and supervising employees in the IT department. Ensuring the maintenance of current projects and technology systems.
• Identifying vulnerabilities, the need for upgrades, and opportunities for improvement.
• Preparing financial budgets and performance reports.
• Building and maintaining relationships with external advisors and vendors. Ensuring reported issues are resolved in a timely manner

Roles & Responsibilities: - Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon.

• Hardware BOQ preparation according to host brand requirement.
• Design Stores & Mall Networks.
• Build up Network infrastructure in Stores & Malls.
• Enable Date & Voice communication.
• Install Server, POS systems & Foot Count Devices in Stores.
• Recruiting specialists and sub-contractors.
• Monitoring sub-contractors to ensure guidelines are maintained.
• Overseeing the accounting, costing and billing.
• Coordinate internal resources and third parties/vendors for the flawless execution of projects.
• Making sure the quality standards are met.
• Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget.
• Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility.
• Ensure resource availability and allocation.
• Develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress.
• Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule, and project costs using appropriate verification techniques.
• Report and escalate to management as needed.
• Successfully manage the relationship with the client and all stakeholders.
• Perform risk management to minimize project risks.
• Establish and maintain relationships with third parties/vendors.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.

Number of Store Opened: - 700Plus.

Major Malls Opened

Kuwait: - The Avenues, Marina Mall, Gate Mall, Bairaq Mall, Khiran Mall,

Bahrain: - Bahrain City Centre.

Jordan: - Mecca Mall, City Mall, Taj Mall.

Lebanon: - Beirut City Centre, ABC Achrafieh.

International Brands opened

Fashion & Footwear

Mothercare, BHS, DEBENHAMS, H&M, American Eagle, MUJI, Victoria's Secret, NEXT, Topshop, Topman, COS, Harvey Nichols, Jack Wills, Express, River Island, Coast, Dorothy Perkins, EVANS, MILANO, Miss Selfridge, OASIS, WALLIS, Claire's, Justice, Icing, Footlocker, Payless.

Food Brands

Starbucks, P.F Chang's, The Cheesecake Factory, Dean & Deluca, Le Pain Quotidien, Texas Road house, Shake Shack, IHOP, Potbelly, Pizza Express, Raising Cane's, Pei Wei, Teavana, Asha's, Brasserie, Sprinkles, Al Forno, Castania Nut, Katsuya, Café Coco.

Home Furnishing:

Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma.

Health & Beauty:

The Body Shop, MAC, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Jo Malone

Pharmacy: Boots

Optics: - Vision Express

Leisure & Entertainment: KidZania & Tekzone Kuwait.

• Employed advanced troubleshooting and expert application knowledge to solve system user interface problems.
• Troubleshot operating systems, hardware and software problems to identify root causes.
• Combined technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills to diagnose and resolve issues remotely.
• Investigated and diagnosed customer's technical and product queries.
• Configure and install the network servers (Windows 2000/Novell/Linux)
• Enforce organization information security standards, procedures, and guidelines.
• Handle on / off site computer hardware and Network problems at any point of time.
• Upgrade and migrate operating systems and software applications.
• Assemble and install point of sale systems (IBM, Micros)
• Maintain internal systems to ensure quality and continuity of standards, including the delivery of internal and external service level agreements.
• Supervise a team within the Department. Develop internal and external relationships and liaise with key areas to benefit the Business. Responsible for managing access control within one's area of IT.
• Enforce organization information security standards, procedures, and guidelines

• Analyze customer issues and develop necessary actions and ensure optimal levels of customer satisfaction to provide appropriate support for same.
• Administer all resources and ensure delivery of product fixes within timeframe.
• Manage all customer issues and if required escalate it to required departments.
• Assist all junior engineers in complex cases and evaluate products for customers.
• Perform troubleshoot on all network and application issues and recommend resolutions to ensure better customer services.
• Maintain accurate customer documents and prepare reports for all issues and resolutions.
• Provide solutions to all customers and partners and ensure effective deployment.
• Take ownership of customer issues reported and see problems through to resolution.
• Research, diagnose, troubleshoot and identify solutions to resolve customer issues.
• Follow standard procedures for proper escalation of unresolved issues to the appropriate internal teams.
• Provide prompt and accurate feedback to customers.
• Ensure proper recording and closure of all issues.

• Oversee the installation and configuration of new systems to customize them for the organization
• Conduct testing to ensure that the systems work as expected.
• Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
• Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
• Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client/server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
• Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility and so information can be shared.
• Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
• Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
• Read manuals, periodicals, and technical reports to learn how to develop programs that meet staff and user requirements.