Kiran Habbu

Global Capability Center (GCC) leader with 20+ years of experience scaling engineering, operations, and corporate functions across India, Europe, and Asia. Proven expertise in building high-performing teams, leading greenfield and brownfield rollouts, and embedding governance frameworks that ensure compliance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Adept at aligning GCC strategy with enterprise-wide objectives, driving digital transformation, and delivering multimillion-dollar value through operational excellence, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration.

Recognized for bridging strategic vision with execution, strengthening cross-border integration, and transforming India into a high-performance global hub.

Director & Global Engineering Leader, Reels - CAVOTEC INDIA PVT.LTD - Pune, India

(2023-05)

Dual accountability as Global Engineering Leader and Country Operations Director, overseeing engineering P&L and leading 25 direct and 45 indirect reports. Directed multidisciplinary engineering teams and supported HR, finance, procurement, quality, and service functions. Managed statutory compliance, launched Pune and Chennai facilities, and drove cross-functional transformation to restore market leadership.

• Resolutely cleared four long-pending RBI FCGPRS cases, achieving full statutory compliance and unlocking critical capital for Pune and Chennai expansions.
• Orchestrated 85% recovery of overdue INR 3 Cr via strategic tripartite agreement, restoring positive cash flow and strengthening financial resilience.
• Engineered strategic office relocation, slashing per-employee overheads by 10% and expanding capacity, driving enhanced operational efficiency.
• Cultivated exceptional team engagement through quarterly workshops, targeted skills training, and recognition initiatives, achieving record retention and productivity.
• Scaled Pune Engineering GCC from 31 to 47 specialists, vaulted revenue to ₹7 Cr, reduced hourly rates, and boosted utilization to 93%.
• Championed Chennai plant establishment, assembling core team, securing suppliers, and negotiating contracts to deliver robust first-year revenue performance.

Country Manager / Director - CAVOTEC INDIA PVT.LTD - Pune, India

(2021-03 - 2023-05)

Charged with expanding Cavotec India's footprint during rapid growth phase. Secured ₹5 Cr capital infusion from group. Elevated to Country Manager to streamline India operations and replace expatriate leadership.

Orchestrated statutory, financial, and legal compliance as authorized signatory. Expanded engineering office and bolstered HR, finance, and administrative functions. Led global motorized cable-reel projects, implemented design automation tools, and unified supplier management to drive cost efficiency and performance.

• Engineered rapid China localization of custom gearbox in seven months, achieving exceptional 26% cost savings and seamless FAT execution.
• Spearheaded rigorous RCA to resolve 94 product quality issues within three months, restoring client trust and securing future deliveries.
• Innovated Level Wind machine design from concept, delivering prototype with 30% cost reduction and revitalizing lost market opportunities.
• Revived 20-year-old Magnetic Torque Device through co-development, launching in eight months and generating immediate €150K orders.
• Implemented Power BI–driven KPI system, slashing presales drawing cycles by 64% and ensuring transparent accountability up to CTO level.

Additional Director - CAVOTEC INDIA PVT.LTD - Pune, India

(2019-05 - 2021-03)

Reported to MD/CTO. Team size: 22. Charged with expanding Cavotec India's footprint during rapid growth phase. Secured ₹5 Cr capital infusion from group as Additional Director.

Senior Engineering Manager - CAVOTEC INDIA PVT.LTD - Pune, India

(2014-04 - 2019-05)

Promoted to spearhead India back-office expansion for industrial machinery design and sales support. Established offshore office and engineering team, delivering custom equipment solutions, leading customer engagements and site visits. Coordinated global centre-of-excellence exchanges, implemented process enhancements, mentored cross-functional teams, and strengthened support infrastructure to sustain international sales.

• Expanded mechanical engineering team, adding eight engineers in one year to enhance offshore capabilities for complex port and mining products.
• Established documentation and service teams in India and Oman, expanding support to Dubai, boosting customer satisfaction and securing repeat orders.
• Implemented "One Global Cavotec Design Standards" in India, seamlessly standardizing and modularizing design processes, slashing costs and accelerating global collaboration.
• Boosted annual quotation throughput from 120 to 220 drawings, reducing time to market and increasing overall order intake and revenue.
• Relocated office to central world-class facility, cutting occupancy costs by 75% and significantly attracting new customers and top talent.

Technical Office Manager - CAVOTEC INDIA PVT.LTD - Pune, India

(2010-04 - 2014-04)

Recruited to lead expansion of India's sales & engineering back office, leveraging global experience to overcome resistance to offshoring from Italy, Germany, U, NZ and USA. Streamlined design of motorized reels, shore power, MoorMaster, fuel hydrants, PCA and Pop-up Pits; instituted robust processes team development.

• Pioneered India engineering division, harnessing domestic talent to capture cost advantages and establish a scalable offshore innovation hub.
• Accelerated quotation drawing delivery from 21 to 7 days and slashed design costs by 68%, realizing €250K annual savings.
• Innovated Excel-based automation, cutting repetitive design tasks from 16 to 4 hours and generating €84K in annual efficiencies.
• Orchestrated global summit uniting nine-country technical teams under one design standard, catalyzing modularization and cost reduction.

Manager Engineering Services - GNOSIS INFOTECH PVT. LTD

(2009-04 - 2010-04)

Assistant Manager - ONWARD TECHNOLOGIES

(2004-04 - 2009-02)

In-Charge, Tool Room - PERFECT TOOLING SYSTEM

(1997-09 - 2004-03)

Sr. Engineer, Tool Room - SHUTHAM ELECTRIC LTD

(1994-10 - 1997-08)

Bachelors - Industrial Engineering - Indian Institution of Industrial Engineering (2014)

Diploma - Tool & Die Making, Mechanical - Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) (1994)

Certificate - Emerging Manager - Training Ventures Pte Ltd (2012)