Thiagaraja Manikandan

As President & Group CIO of Olam Group, a US$40+ billion global food and agribusiness giant, instrumental for driving industry leading technology strategy, digital transformation, and innovation for business growth. The journey has been one of relentless dedication to driving transformative initiatives across a diverse range of industries, leaving an indelible mark on businesses and its operations. A proactive and versatile technocrat, renowned for leveraging cutting edge technologies to deliver business results spanning across multiple industries including food, agribusiness, IT Services, manufacturing, retail, CPG, global logistics, direct marketing consumer durable, and media across 60+ countries. Adept in building high performance global teams, deft in sensing technology trends and business opportunities, seasoned in partnering with business stakeholders to drive growth, transformation, and business results. Expert in digital business transformation, IT business management, value chain optimization, M&A/Carve-out/demerger, strategic partnerships, IT risk management, global service delivery models, negotiation, and leading large-scale global initiatives to success. Skilled in scale out technology architecture, platform/product development, Scaled Agile Framework, Cybersecurity/SecOps and cost optimization. Career Highlights: • Spearheaded industry leading technology and digital transformation strategy for 10x business growth. • Built 10+ digital technology platforms/products to drive disintermediation, ecommerce, value chain efficiency, and digitized business ecosystem. • Successful spin-off of IT business model for enhanced value creation. • Seamlessly integrated 100+ M&As/carve-outs, including a complex US$ 1.3 billion single deal. • Designed a unique demerger architecture to capitalize on economies of scale while minimizing dis-synergies. • Built high-performance global teams from the ground-up with a cost-efficient operating model. • Possess specialized expertise in tough markets such as Africa. • Expanded fashion retail business into Europe and North America through innovative omni channel electronic auction business model. • Effected turnarounds in CPG and Global Logistics businesses, enhancing profitability through technology and optimization techniques. • Played a pivotal role in establishing direct marketing consumer durable business in India, achieving best market entry status within 3 years. • Implemented cutting-edge broadcasting and media technologies for the launch of India’s 2nd private TV channel.