Neelakanta Rathinam

• Company Overview: ChampionX (CX) is a global leader in chemistry solutions, artificial lift systems, and highly engineered equipment and technologies that help companies drill for and produce oil and gas safely, efficiently, and sustainably around the world.
• Oversee quality operations across multiple plants in the Southern Eastern Hemisphere, ensuring compliance with CX Global Quality standards.
• Lead the implementation of IMS standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) across MEA plants, driving regulatory and industry compliance.
• Spearhead audits, quality inspections, and certification processes to uphold operational excellence.
• Manage vendor and supplier quality to ensure adherence to material specifications and global standards.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives to address product and process deviations effectively.
• Successfully navigated critical emergencies, providing strategic direction to resolve complex quality challenges.
• Managed tolling operations across UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait in 2019-2020 and 2023, optimizing supply chain efficiency.
• Played a pivotal role as a Global Quality Council Member, driving quality assurance and continuous improvement across multiple sites.
• Served as the key contact for tender-related documents, write-ups, and supply chain process requirements.
• Led technical support for assessing and establishing new tolling facilities across the MEA region.
• Successfully managed JA plant operations during a challenging organizational spinoff and COVID-19 crisis.
• Executed the first-ever solar power project at the JA plant, earning a "Highly Commended Award" under the "ESG Champion of the Year" category at the Oil & Gas Middle East Awards 2023.
• Drive strategic projects and operational initiatives to enhance business performance, sustainability, and efficiency

As a Plant Manager, I oversee all aspects of plant operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance with safety, production, quality control, and logistics. Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring compliance with labor, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Conducting safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
• Developing safe work procedures and emergency response plans.
• Training staff on EHS policies, chemical handling, and PPE usage.
• Managing daily operations, optimizing production schedules, and resource allocation.
• Overseeing the receipt, storage, and handling of materials, including inventory management.
• Ensuring equipment maintenance to minimize downtime, and improve efficiency.
• Maintaining product quality standards and adherence to blending formulas.
• Providing leadership to employees and managers.
• Managing plant budgeting and forecasting activities.

Focused on driving operational excellence while ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Participated in the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in 2019.

• Led a team of managers, officers, and supervisors, overseeing 70+ employees across Production, Quality Assurance, Technical, and Engineering departments.
• Managed end-to-end manufacturing operations, including production planning (PPC), quality control, engineering (mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation), and resource planning.
• Oversaw waste and scrap management, non-conformance handling, and customer complaint resolution to ensure operational efficiency.
• Handled customer management and technical support across India, the UK, Sri Lanka, Iran, and Kenya, addressing queries, problem resolution, and product evaluations.
• Led new product development initiatives, aligning with market needs, and customer requirements.
• Resolved chronic and sporadic production issues using advanced statistical tools, such as Design of Experiment (DOE), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC).

• Company Overview: A part of Unilever and India’s largest FMCG company, involved in Home and Personal Care products, Foods, and Beverages.
• Conducted quality analysis of raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods, ensuring compliance with SOPs and processes.
• Led process control, manufacturing, and packing analysis to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Executed lab-scale product trials before bulk production to ensure consistency and performance.
• Investigated customer complaints, and implemented corrective and preventive actions.
• Conducted experiments for color control in hard fats and refined oils, improving product quality.
• Reduced oil losses in earth filtration, generating significant cost savings.
• Enhanced productivity through capacity analysis for processing and packing operations.