Chandran Thayyil

I am a top-performing Regional Director with extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership. I am highly skilled in evaluating existing operations to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and risks, innovating process improvements to enhance automation, system integration, and profitability. I also have a proven ability in collaborating with c-suite executives to outline short- and long-term goals, delivering initiatives, programs, and projects to drive achievement.

As well, I am recognized for maintaining a working knowledge of industry trends, emerging platforms, and evolving business needs to cultivate cutting-edge solutions.

Professional Experience

Albaker Networks and Engineering, Albaker Holdings Apr 2019 – Jul 2021

General Manager

Oversaw ELV/ICT/Automation, and Facility Management teams through all stages of engineering and project lifecycle for a department worth QAR 190M. Maintained full accountability for project and contract administration in ELV, and ICT including BMS, LCS, GRMS, Active Data, SCS, CCTV, CBS, ACS, Façade Lighting Controls, PLC, PAVA, and AV systems. Directed a team of 40+ engineers and technicians.

Spearheaded facility management business unit with team of 70+ undertaking AMCs for Luxury 5-star hotels covering Civil, MEP, HVAC, ELV, and ICT systems.

• Fostered continuous business growth and ROI, generating new business and retention through adding value and optimizing costs. 
• Implemented Odoo ERP systems across the group. 
• Launched Business unit for Networking and System integration of Automation, ELV, and ICT systems. 

Beckhoff Automation FZE, Dubai, UAE Jul 2007 – Jun 2018

Regional Manager Middle East

Developed and directed business, marketing, and sales channels. Managed sales of high end technology products for factory and industrial automation based on state-of-the-art AI, Robotics, IIoT, and IBMS Systems. Supervised teams of technical experts and engineers in systems design, tendering, cost estimation, closing business deals, and project management.

• Partnered with government authorities and bank to complete all procedures related to registration and company set up for initiating subsidiary operations. 
• Grew organization from one person to five employees within one year. 
• Cultivated new business channels and accounts in Qatar, Bahrain, KSA, and Oman within three years of operations. 

Schneider Electric FZE, Dubai, UAE Jun 2003 – Jan 2007

Channel Manager/Automation Projects Manager

Spearheaded project management of high-end PLC, SCADA, and HMI products and solutions. Delivered comprehensive project management for Unity Pro PLC, SCADA, and HMI. Facilitated application design and product selection optimization for PLC systems including SIL2 and hot standby PLC systems, along with HMI and SCADA solutions.

• Innovated enhanced transparent SI channel policy. 
• Set up an internal department for service and upgrade projects of Modicon PLC. 
• Rolled-out global Alliance Channel Management policy for System Integrators in the Gulf Region. 
• Administered upgrade, service, and programming training support for end users including ADMA-PCO, Department of Civil Aviation, and Kuwait Oil Company. 

Additional Experience

RTU and SCADA Engineer, Al Ain Distribution Company, Al Ain, UAE

Senior Project Manager, Cimac Automation, Dubai, UAE

Plant Manager – RO Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant, Juma Al Majid Group, Dubai, UAE

Master of Business Administration, International Management

Swiss Business School, Zurich, Switzerland

Bachelor of Science in Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering

University of Calicut, India, Kerala

Post Graduate Diploma in Ecommerce

Aptech, Sharjah, UAE