Ashok Shinde

Results-driven Business Leader with 18+ years of progressive experience driving sales and business development for Industrial Networking & Industrial Automation solutions across the India, Middle East, SEA, and SAARC regions. Proven track record of achieving sustained year-on-year business growth of 15% to 20% by developing strategic accounts, strengthening partner ecosystems, and positioning rugged, mission-critical networking technologies within Rail, Power Utilities, Oil & Gas, and Manufacturing sectors. Experienced in enabling resilient, secure, and high-availability industrial networks & Industrial Automation that support digitalization and Industry 4.0 initiatives from concept to deployment.

Country Head – India & Middle East at KLG Smartec (Kyland Group) (2024-06 – Present)

• Led product localization initiatives, ensuring successful adaptation to local standards and market requirements
• Lead regional strategy and operational execution across India and the Middle East, driving adoption of industrial networking solutions in infrastructure and automation sectors
• Heading market strategy and operational execution for the India & Middle East region
• Responsible for driving sales growth, and expanding market share in the Power, Rail, O&G, and Factory Automation verticals
• Deliver consistent YoY business growth through expansion in Rail, Power, Oil & Gas, and Factory Automation verticals
• Lead all sales, marketing, and channel management activities; tasked with appointing and developing new channel partners
• Drive end-customer product approval and specification processes
• Lead/member of the team responsible for product approval at an accredited testing laboratory – KEMA
• Designed and implemented industrial networking and automation solutions for renewable energy projects
• Strengthened partner relationships and reduced channel conflicts by implementing clear, transparent communication and alignment strategies
• Acted as the regional interface with HQ, delivering real-time market intelligence to support strategic planning and demand forecasting

Business Development Manager - Middle East & SAARC at HMS Networks (2024-04 – 2024-05)

• Accelerate revenue growth and market penetration across the Middle East and SAARC regions
• Channel partner & System Integrator Development

Business Development Manager - Middle East & SAARC at Red Lion Controls (Spectris Plc.) (2020-02 – 2024-04)

• Expanded industrial networking business across the Middle East (Israel, UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Kazakhstan) and SAARC (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) regions
• Managed and optimized sales funnel using Salesforce, achieving a strong win ratio and delivering accurate monthly forecasts
• Secured design wins by spearheading technical specification ("spec-in") of industrial Ethernet, protocol conversion, and data communication solutions
• Developed and executed regional market strategy and Annual Operations Plans, aligning with global company objectives
• Planned and drove marketing initiatives, including product seminars and participation in industry events i.e., ISA Tech Talks
• Enhanced channel partner competency by coordinating technical training sessions for distributors and end customers

Solutions Development Manager at Red Lion Controls (Spectris Plc.) (2018-02 – 2020-01)

• Collaborated with end customers to design and propose automation and networking solutions
• Hosted successful technical seminars and product launch events for key verticals across SAARC, Middle East, and SEA
• Led the planning and execution of major marketing events, including trade shows and exhibitions, managing stakeholders from organizers to designers
• Designed Industrial networking and automation solutions for Railway, Solar, Wind applications

Sr. Application Engineer at Red Lion Controls (Spectris Plc.) (2014-02 – 2018-01)

• Delivered product training and technical support to channel partners and end customers, facilitating presales and post sales activities
• Supported market development in Southeast Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand) and the Middle East by conducting on-site training and seminars

Sales Engineer at Red Lion Controls (Spectris Plc.) (2011-06 – 2014-01)

• Provided technical sales support across India, delivering application-specific solutions and product comparisons
• Led the Industrial Networking product approvals in PSUs
• Resolved complex technical issues for networking and automation products in collaboration with US and China support teams

Sr. Engineer (Technical Sales) at Dynalog (India) Ltd. (2007-06 – 2011-05)

• Managed key accounts and expanded the customer base for Moxa and Advantech products
• Led technical training for internal sales engineers and customers on networking and wireless (GPRS) solutions
• Successfully prepared and won tenders, including developing MIL-grade compatible solutions for defence PSUs like Bharat Electronics Ltd. BHEL, ISRO, ADE, DRDO, ECIL

Master of Business Administration (Executive) in Marketing – Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune

Bachelor of Computer Application in BCA – IGNOU