Sumit Katkani - Chief Manager (Manufacturing Engineering for Global factories, Technology Center)

Pune, India

Experience

Apr 2017 - Present

8 years 4 months

Led projects in manufacturing design, strategic planning, digital manufacturing advancements, and product process planning.
Registered an improvement in bill of material accuracy by 11% and throughput time reduction by 31%.
Managed cost reduction projects resulting in substantial product cost optimization ($5.7M savings).
Improved productivity by implementing innovation ideas and POCs, achieving a 22% increase.
Reduced inventory costs and product launch times using manufacturing process planning tools, virtual tools, 3D layouts, and factory master planning.
Coaching and mentoring initiatives drove innovation and employee engagement with high engagement scores.

Apr 2014 - Apr 2017

3 years 1 month

Strategic development in customer support solutions, diagnostics, technical training, and parts information development.
Directed aftermarket & customer service business projects to improve customer experience & operational uptime of machines.
Managed large, diverse global teams of 100+ engineers to meet business objectives.
Initiated environmental, health, and safety management for Deere Tractor factories.
Achieved talent development initiatives enhancing business flexibility, capability development, and cost savings.

May 2008 - Mar 2014

5 years 11 months

Manufacturing Strategy Planning for Global Crop Care Application & Specialty Harvesting Products manufactured at US, Europe & Brazil factories, including high-tech self-propelled & trailed sprayers, tillage, cotton & sugar harvesters, tractors.
Strategic development in Factory Master Planning, Manufacturing Process Design, Virtual Builds, DFM, Advanced Ergonomics Analysis, and Digital Manufacturing.
Developed framework, strategy, and communication plans to enhance business relationships and increase Technology Center penetration at various factories.
Led initiatives for Digitization & Industry 4.0, manufacturing planning tools, and manufacturing strategy.
Led Lean, Body Travel Analysis, Virtual Reality, Data Analytics projects to improve safety & productivity.
Focused on coaching, mentoring, talent development, cost reduction, and strategic projects.

Mar 2007 - May 2008

1 year 3 months

Mumbai, India

Managed productivity improvement, automation, and industrial engineering.
Achieved 15% man-hours reduction in transmission machining & tractor assembly.
Improved capacity by 5% in engine machining using low-cost automation and multi-manning guidelines.
Enhanced productivity by 41% at Punjab Tractors Plant, Chandigarh through MOST implementation, line balancing, single-piece flow, and Lean concept execution.

Mar 2006 - Feb 2007

1 year

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, India

Directed new product introductions focusing on manufacturing planning.
Managed engine and transmission process planning & implementation with a $2M budget.
Implemented gear tester, oil purification system, and automatic number punching machines for quality and efficiency improvement.
Oversaw supplier management for capital procurement.

Nov 2000 - Mar 2006

5 years 5 months

Pithampur, India

Planned and implemented a greenfield project for engine and transmission factory with multi-model mix line setup and a $2.5M budget.
Managed new product program implementation at the factory with cost avoidance projects.
Improved factory throughput time by 22-25%.
Upgraded engine assembly capacity from 35 to 100 per shift.
Accomplished mass production of 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder, and CNG engines for passenger segments.
Achieved sequence of events and line balancing within +/- 5% accuracy.

Apr 2000 - Nov 2000

8 months

Pithampur, India