Daniel Despa
Consultant
Experience
Apr 2023 - Aug 2024
1 year 5 monthsConsultant
Carl Zeiss GmbH & Deloitte Consulting
- During the HANA S4 implementation, my consultant role was central, focusing on carefully developing critical specifications.
- I navigated technical and business requirements and guided the project through its complex phases.
- A key part of my involvement was orchestrating and supporting both the Integration Testing Cycle (ITC) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
- I implemented robust testing methodologies, documented and addressed findings systematically, contributing significantly to a refined pre-GoLive phase.
- Ensured a flawless implementation.
- Enabled effective train-the-trainer sessions.
- Conducted thorough unit and functional tests.
- Facilitated smooth alignment between development and business goals.
- Provided transparent progress reports.
- Maintained high documentation quality throughout all project phases.
- Developed Fiori apps focused on inventory management and material staging status.
- Maintained clear and effective communication during all project stages to ensure understanding and alignment among all stakeholders.
- Successfully designed and finalized development specifications to ensure all technical requirements were met and clearly documented.
- Provided key support during ITC and UAT to ensure thorough testing and prompt issue resolution.
- Delivered end-user training to ensure users had the knowledge and skills to navigate the new system efficiently.
- Conducted comprehensive unit and functional tests to ensure system stability and performance.
- Aligned development closely with business requirements to support core business processes and objectives.
- Consistently reported progress to give stakeholders clear insights into project status and upcoming milestones.
- Upheld high documentation standards.
- Tool-chain: S/4 HANA PP, SAP MM, Fiori, SolMan, Signavio, incident management software, JIRA.
Dec 2022 - Jul 2023
8 monthsSAP S/4 Stream Lead / MRP Solution Expert
Knorr-Bremse, BearingPoint
- The main part of the project was a feasibility study to analyze, design, and document business processes (level 1 to level 4) to identify key requirements for implementing SAP S/4 – SAP PP (SCM).
- Key tasks included process analysis to develop solution proposals for SAP S/4 – SAP PP (SCM) implementation.
- Analyzed the current process landscape.
- Documented improvement potential.
- Aligned the business process landscape.
- Analyzed current vs. target processes.
- Mapped business process management.
- Identified value drivers.
- Organized workshops and documented the current and target process landscapes.
- Identified the current landscape and uncovered improvement opportunities.
- Created detailed BPM documentation.
- Identified value drivers for future benefits of the implementation.
- Kept the Manufacture-to-Supply stream green until project completion.
- Tool-chain: SAP S/4 – SAP PP.
Oct 2022 - Jul 2023
10 monthsConsultant
Novartis / Fareva and SOA People
- On a comprehensive journey through the HANA S4 implementation, my consultant role involved meticulously crafting key development specifications.
- By carefully navigating technical and business requirements, I steered the project through its complex phases, focusing on aligning technology capabilities with critical business needs.
- Orchestrating and supporting both ITC and UAT was crucial, ensuring a robust testing methodology that systematically documented and addressed findings, paving the way to a refined pre-GoLive phase.
- Ensured a flawless implementation.
- Enabled effective end-user training.
- Conducted thorough unit and functional tests.
- Facilitated alignment between development and business objectives.
- Provided transparent progress reports.
- Maintained documentation quality at all stages.
- Kept communication clear and effective throughout all project phases to ensure stakeholder alignment.
- Successfully designed and finalized development specifications to meet and document all technical requirements.
- Offered critical support during ITC and UAT to ensure thorough testing and prompt resolution of issues.
- Delivered end-user training so users gained the knowledge and skills to use the new system effectively.
- Conducted comprehensive unit and functional tests to guarantee system stability and performance.
- Aligned development with business requirements to support core operations and objectives.
- Regularly reported progress, giving stakeholders clear insights into project status and upcoming milestones.
- Maintained top-quality documentation to ensure accurate records of data, insights, and process changes.
- Tool-chain: S4 HANA PP PI.
Oct 2022 - Jan 2023
4 monthsSAP S/4 Solution Expert MRP / Manufacturing Specialist
Eraneos (powered by Quint) – AWK Group / Bristol Myers Squibb Global Biopharmaceutical Company
- The core of the project involved analyzing, designing, and documenting business processes to identify key requirements for SAP S/4 – SAP PP PI, MM, EWM (SCM) implementation.
- Key tasks included process analysis to develop solution proposals and creating training materials for the SAP S/4 – SAP PP PI, MM, EWM (SCM) implementation.
- Built knowledge management for end users, including process analysis.
- Conducted business process and gap analysis – SAP S/4 template development.
- Identified possible optimizations and advised on implementation.
- Prepared training for end users and key users.
- Delivered training for end users and key users and defined optimizations.
- Prepared UAT (user acceptance test).
- Defined responsibilities for business process analysis, optimization, and documentation.
- Prepared end users and key users for the SOP (start of production).
- Tested and improved work practices.
- Researched E2E automation processes (with other workstream experts) and recommended optimizations.
- Conducted SAP S/4 PP PI, MM, EWM training.
- Tool-chain: SAP S/4 – SAP PP PI, MM, EWM, MES, IBP.
Dec 2020 - Sep 2022
1 year 10 monthsProject Manager
Schaeffler Technologies AG
- The main part of the project was analyzing, designing, and documenting business processes of individual business divisions to optimize internal processes for master data SCM.
- Key tasks included weakness and potential analysis to develop solution proposals in process documentation, based on processes prepared and modeled with specialists, including checking information for plausibility.
- Established knowledge management through process analysis and documentation.
- Facilitated workshops with business and IT leaders to optimize business and IT processes.
- Built a central source for material master data/rules for the entire business division (Software Data 360).
- Defined KPIs and process corrections ("self-healing").
- Analyzed, designed, and documented business processes for involved business divisions.
- Led and conducted workshops to define and document process solutions.
- Optimized and implemented new/relevant business processes.
- Calculated savings/improvements and set KPIs.
- Tool-chain: SAP R3 – SAP PP MRP, MM, SAP S4 – SAP PP, DATA 360, Jira, Confluence.
Oct 2020 - Jul 2022
1 year 10 monthsProject Manager SCM Corporate
Schaeffler Technologies AG
- The main part of the project involved analyzing, designing, and documenting business processes to identify key requirements for developing internal solutions.
- Key tasks included process, weakness, and potential analysis to develop requirements and optimize and introduce new business processes, based on processes prepared and defined with specialists, including plausibility checks of provided information.
- Built knowledge management, facilitated workshops, and modeled processes.
- Conducted workshops with business and IT leaders to analyze business and IT processes.
- Established the SCM Agreement between business divisions under defined rules and processes.
- Responsible for project plan, resource planning, and rollout plan from senior management to end users.
- Conducted business process analysis, optimization, and implementation.
- Performed requirements analysis for specifications and functional documents for new rules and processes.
- Defined the implementation concept for different plants/regions.
- Aligned and implemented the SCM Agreement between business divisions.
- Implemented Add One software extension.
- Optimized existing and introduced new process and software solutions.
- Improved KPIs (inventory, delivery reliability, backlog).
- Tool-chain: SAP R3 – SAP PP MRP, MM, SD, Add One, Confluence, Jira.
Sep 2020 - Sep 2022
2 years 1 monthSME (Subject Matter Expert) / Specialist
Schaeffler Technologies AG
- The project focused on analyzing, designing, and documenting business processes to identify key requirements for implementing SAP S4 HANA (SCM, IBP) – SAP PP.
- Key tasks included process analysis to develop solution proposals in the form of specifications and creating training materials for SAP S4 HANA (SCM, IBP) – SAP PP implementation.
- Prepared the SAP S4 HANA – SAP PP rollout plan using the developed deployment strategy.
- Established knowledge management by facilitating workshops for process analysis and documentation.
- Conducted workshops with business and IT leaders to analyze business and IT processes.
- Prepared materials for IT training.
- Defined the authorization strategy and SAP PP structure.
- Prepared the deployment strategy.
- Planned sprints including defining responsibilities.
- Tool-chain: SAP S4 HANA (IBP, interfaces with SAP PP/DS) – SAP PP MRP, MM, SAP R3 – SAP PP, MM, Confluence, Jira.
Jan 2018 - Nov 2020
2 years 11 months Irapuato, Mexico
Project Manager SCM, Head of SCM
Schaeffler Technologies AG
- The core project was implementing end-to-end planning across production lines, segments, plants, and regions.
- Key tasks included facilitating workshops with business and IT leaders to analyze processes, plan resources, and optimize processes.
- Organized the entire SCM setup at the Irapuato plant.
- Developed an "SCM culture" at the Irapuato plant.
- Achieved key KPI improvements (backlog, delivery reliability, inventory).
- Implemented system-side KPIs (SAP R3 – SAP PP, SAP APO – SAP PP).
- Created rollout and resource plans including implementation.
- Planned and conducted kick-offs and workshops.
- Managed project progress and reported to senior management.
- Developed benchmarks and lessons learned.
- Implemented an MES system.
- Conducted process, weakness, and potential analysis to develop solution proposals.
- Optimized and implemented internal business processes.
- Built knowledge management through workshops for process analysis and documentation.
- Improved key KPIs (inventory, delivery reliability, backlog).
- Greatly improved and standardized process organization.
- Made technical SCM adjustments (SAP R3 – SAP PP) to optimize end-to-end processes.
- Had a strong impact on North and South America through the successful SCM strategy and processes implementation.
- Tool-chain: SAP R3 – SAP PP MRP, MM, SD, PM, SAP APO – SAP PP, SAP APO (CS and detailed planning logic - SAP PP/DS) CS Excel, Business Analyzer, Jira, Confluence, MES system.
Apr 2016 - Jun 2017
1 year 3 months Korea, Republic of
Consultant / SCM Specialist
Schaeffler Technologies AG
- The main project tasks were analyzing, designing, and documenting business processes to identify key requirements for implementing SAP R3 – SAP PP (SCM).
- Key tasks included process analysis to develop solution proposals in the form of specifications and creating training materials for the SAP R3 – SAP PP (SCM) implementation.
- Built knowledge management through process analysis and documentation.
- Analyzed and optimized business and IT processes.
- Developed optimal process solutions for the South Korean organization.
- Supported on-site SAP R3 – SAP PP, MM (SCM) implementation.
- Led and conducted workshops to define and document process solutions.
- Successfully implemented SAP R3 – SAP PP (SCM) and optimized new business processes.
- Gained valuable experience by understanding the Korean organization and APAC processes.
- Tool-chain: SAP R3/P95 – SAP PP MRP, MM, SD, Jira, Confluence.
Jul 2009 - Present
16 years 1 month Herzogenaurach, Germany
Senior Consultant for Supply Chain Management
Despa Consulting
- In my impactful career as a consultant and project manager, my supply chain management experience is finely tuned, specializing in articulating, improving, and documenting business processes to ensure the successful rollout of complex systems and procedures.
- My track record shows dedication not only to implementing standard processes and software systems but also to designing tailored solutions that meet my clients' unique needs.
- I further expand my expertise by carefully planning and delivering business process management training and workshops on various supply chain management aspects, ensuring my clients have the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their goals.
- My foundation in process and project management, complemented by leadership and change management skills, enables me to guide clients in refining their organizational structures and boosting process efficiency.
- By identifying resource-saving opportunities and providing stakeholders with nuanced insights, I help clients realize their desired outcomes and drive their businesses to success.
- Additionally, my career has been enriched by extensive international experience across three continents and countries such as Romania, Germany, Mexico, the USA, Korea, the Netherlands, Hungary, Switzerland, and Slovakia.
- This broad geographic and cultural exposure has enhanced my professional perspective and allowed me to develop a deep understanding of various market dynamics and organizational cultures, refining my ability to tailor and execute strategies across different business settings.
Summary
In my impactful career as a consultant and project manager, my supply chain management experience is finely tuned, specializing in articulating, improving, and documenting business processes to ensure the successful rollout of complex systems and procedures. My track record shows dedication not only to implementing standard processes and software systems but also to designing tailored solutions that meet my clients' unique needs. I further expand my expertise by carefully planning and delivering business process management training and workshops on various supply chain management aspects, ensuring my clients have the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their goals. My foundation in process and project management, complemented by leadership and change management skills, enables me to guide clients in refining their organizational structures and boosting process efficiency. By identifying resource-saving opportunities and providing stakeholders with nuanced insights, I help clients realize their desired outcomes and drive their businesses to success.
Languages
Romanian
Native
English
Advanced
German
Advanced
Spanish
Advanced
French
Elementary
...and 1 more
Education
Oct 2003 - Jul 2009
Transilvania University, Brașov - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Diploma Engineer · Transportation Engineering · Brașov, Romania
Sep 1999 - Jul 2003
Mircea Cristea Technical High School
High School Diploma · Electronics / Telecommunications · Brașov, Romania
Sep 1990 - Jul 1999
Primary and Secondary School
Brașov, Romania
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